"We were all crazy back then" — Park Ji-sung's wife recalls the 2002 World Cup and memories of Guus Hiddink... Disciples Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo attend his 80th birthday celebration

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Guus Hiddink (80), former head coach of the South Korea national football team who led the nation to a fourth-place finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, has turned 80. His former players Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo joined him for the celebration.

Kim Min-ji, Park Ji-sung's wife and former news anchor, shared photos from Hiddink's 80th birthday party on her social media (SNS) on the 11th. Born on November 8, 1946, Hiddink turned 80 this year. Attendees included Park Ji-sung and his wife, Lee Young-pyo, and Song Jun-seop, former team doctor of the national football team who had performed knee surgery on Hiddink in the past.

Along with the photos, Kim Min-ji posted a lengthy message reflecting on the 2002 World Cup. She wrote, "For Koreans, the question 'What were you doing during the 2002 World Cup?' is a magic phrase that allows anyone to chat enthusiastically for an hour, no matter where they meet." She added, "Whether it's a student in their final year of high school or a soldier, everyone nods with the same smiling face, even if their stories differ. We were all crazy back then."

She continued by addressing Hiddink: "If you are someone who gifted so many people a unique experience and sense of unity that has never existed before and is unlikely to happen again, you would rank in the top ten in South Korea, even if you combined Dangun the Progenitor and Santa Claus." She conveyed her birthday wishes and gratitude.

During the 2002 World Cup, Coach Hiddink built his team around Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo, who were then relatively unknown, achieving the feat of reaching the semifinals. Immediately after the tournament, he took over as head coach of PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands and signed both players, helping them establish themselves on the European stage. This move later served as a decisive stepping stone for opening the era of South Korean football's entry into the English Premier League (EPL). Their mentor-mentee relationship has continued for 24 years.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original