Festival of Stars Already Started

“MVP? Maybe, because lots of money at stake this time”

These words were from “Vacuum Cleaner” Kim Nam-il (Chunam Dragons), who is commanding the most popularity nowadays.

Many star players of different pro teams warmed up together without any tension for winning. And the festival is already in full force.

On August 14, 2002, just one day before the 2002 Puma All-star Game, all-star members warmed up in the World Cup Stadium in Seoul for about one hour starting at 2 p.m. But the 7,000 fans who visited the stadium to watch the star players cheered up at every movement of the players.

The players are divided into two groups: Middle Team and Southern Team. On their faces, it could be felt that they themselves were enjoying this festival. At the same time, however, they as professional players looked determined to win in the match.

Kim Nam-il of the Southern Team, who aims at the MVP, said, “Winner is winner. The game is not just a fun to me. I will win by all means.” Lee Yong-pyo (Ahnyang LG) and Lee Dong-kook (Pohang Steelers) of the Middle Team confidently predicted, “We will win 3-2.” Lee Dong-kook also did not hide his determination toward the MVP by saying “I hope I could score 2 or 3 goals, and thus grab the 3rd MVP title.”

Unlike young players, older players expressed their wish in euphemism. Caption of the Middle Team Shin Tae-yong (Sungnam Ilhwa) said, “Now every fan has become an expert ever since the World Cup. Up to their expectations, we should show an upgraded All-star game this time.” His counterpart, Hong Myung-bo (Pohang) indirectly stressed, “Many of the World Cup team players are on the Southern Team. I know the All-star Game is not just about winning. But it’s easy for us to play teamwork, isn’t it?”

The zeal of the fans was also the focus of the media. Fans packed the stadium to watch only one-hour long warming-up. Park Eun-hyung (19, Seoul resident), who claims herself an enthusiastic fan of Lee Chun-soo (Woolsan Hyundai), said, “To watch the All-star game in person, I spent the whole day in front of the computer to book a ticket online.” She looked full of excitement for the game.

After the warming-up, players, along with their family members, had a celebration in Hyatt Hotel. The All-star game that will also offer various events will start at 6:30 on August 15, 2002 in the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The MVP of the game, which is to be determined by the votes of the press, will receive 10 million won (approximately $8,000) award, double the last year’s 5 million won.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com