Coach Guus Hiddink, who led the 4th-place finish at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, celebrated his 80th birthday with Park Ji-sung and Kim Min-ji.
Kim Min-ji, wife of former national team footballer Park Ji-sung, congratulated Coach Hiddink on his 80th birthday through her social media (SNS) on the 11th. The photo shared by Kim Min-ji showed the coach and the couple smiling brightly.
Kim Min-ji said, "If someone brings up the topic of the 2002 World Cup at a gathering of Koreans, there is no choice but to join in, even if the timing seems out of place or even if you are usually not one to talk about yourself." She added, "The only option is to take turns sharing your part of the story."
She noted that people have no choice but to share their own special episodes from that year, such as memories of feeling wronged yet going out to cheer on Gwanghwamun Street during their final year of high school, the memory of being able to watch the match broadcast despite being in military service, and the crazy moment of hugging a stranger and dancing on top of a bus on Apgujeong Street.
Continuing, Kim Min-ji wrote, "Even if we each told different stories, everyone nodded with the same smiling face." She added, "If there is someone who gifted so many people a unique experience and sense of unity that has never existed before and will be hard to find again, I don't know for sure, but in Korea, he might rank within the top ten, even compared to Dangun Halmabeoji (the legendary founder of Korea) and Santa Claus."
She further stated, "Some people change the outcome of a match, but Coach Hiddink instilled the belief that 'we can do it too' in the citizens of a nation. We convey our deep gratitude from Korea." She concluded, "Happy 80th birthday. Stay healthy."
Meanwhile, Kim Min-ji, a former SBS announcer, married Park Ji-sung in July 2014 and has one son and one daughter.
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