'Migi-nam' Rugby Player at 26, Has Reason for Variety Show Appearance "If There Are No Stars, I Must Become One to Spread the Word" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Yang Ji-yong (26, OK Eutman Rugby Team), who gained attention as a 'Migi-nam' on TV variety shows, truly wants to promote 'rugby' more than his own name.

Recently, Yang Ji-yong was featured as a 'Migi-nam' on the TV variety program 'Nun, I'm a Woman' and became known to viewers. He also appeared in the global OTT variety show 'Strongest Rugby: Die or Win' and runs his own YouTube channel. There is a clear reason why an active rugby player has expanded his activities beyond the field.

At the '3rd OK Eutman Rugby Academy' held at Hanaglobal Campus in Cheongna-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City, Yang Ji-yong told StarNews, "There are still not many people who can be called proper stars in rugby. I love rugby so much that I wish even I could help spread the word a little bit."

That is why he does not decline offers to appear on broadcasts. The same reason applies to his operation of a personal YouTube channel. Yang Ji-yong said, "If an opportunity comes, I plan to appear on TV as well." He believes that if someone searches for the unfamiliar sport of rugby through him or looks up game footage even once, that alone has meaning.

Yang Ji-yong has an even more urgent reason. He belongs to a generation where opportunities to experience rugby were rare. Thanks to his parents' acquaintances' children playing rugby, he naturally started handling the ball from the sixth grade of elementary school. There were almost no channels to learn about the sport through OTT variety shows or SNS as seen today.

Rugby that began in this way has now become a life spanning over 10 years. He progressed from Ilsan Dong Middle School to Baeksin High School and Yonsei University before joining a corporate team, and also experienced club rugby in Australia for one year.

When asked why he has not let go of the ball for so long, Yang Ji-yong spoke of the 'No-Side spirit.' He explained, "In rugby, players collide without hesitation during the game. Even after fighting fiercely, they shake hands and hug once the match ends. That is a culture shared by rugby players worldwide."

He felt this charm even more strongly in Australia. Opponents who clashed with their bodies on the field became friends after the game ended. Yang Ji-yong said, "I think rugby is the sport where you can truly experience such sportsmanship."

That is why this OK Eutman Rugby Academy is also special to him. When he was young, there were no opportunities for peers from across the country to gather in one place and learn skills directly from active corporate players.

Yang Ji-yong said, "I think it would have been great if such an academy existed when I was young. If I had such an opportunity, I wonder if I could have grown a bit more." He emphasized, "Because of the regrets I felt back then, I now want to share everything I have with children to the best of my ability."

This is also why he participated in the academy this year as well as last. The reality of Korean rugby is not easy. Yang Ji-yong honestly stated that there are not many corporate teams and that many players cannot continue their careers even after graduating from university. Compared to popular professional sports, it is difficult to avoid practical concerns such as income.

So what remains as a reason? He calmly answered the injury concerns that parents worry about most when starting rugby. Yang Ji-yong said, "I am one of the players who plays rugby because I truly love it and find it so fun." He emphasized, "It is true that rugby is a sport where injuries can occur. However, there are clear rules, and if games are played within those rules, it is not as dangerous a sport as people think."

He continued, "While there are not many protective gear items, rules that players must follow for safety are clearly defined. Therefore, I believe it is not a sport with as many injuries as the image seen from the outside suggests."

Yang Ji-yong sees hope in recent changes. Students are beginning to learn about rugby players through OTT content, and opportunities to handle a rugby ball are gradually increasing for non-elite players through tag rugby and general clubs.

He said, "In the past, elite sports and recreational sports were quite separated, but it seems that wall is slowly crumbling through tag rugby." He added, "I hope that wall disappears completely so that sports like rugby become part of daily life as they have in Japan or the United States. I wish rugby could be one of them."

It does not matter if it starts from a 'Migi-nam' on TV. It is fine if discovered by chance on YouTube. Ultimately, he believes that it is important for people to experience rugby even once.

Yang Ji-yong smiled and said, "The environment has definitely improved since I started, and even now, many women play not only tag rugby but also official rugby at places like Seoul Mangwon Han River Park. This means there are more opportunities to encounter rugby than before."

He then added with emphasis, "There may be many people who have never played rugby, but I think once they try it, many will continue. If given the chance, I hope everyone will experience rugby firsthand with their own bodies."

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*This content was translated by AI.