Essay ‘There is no choice of knowing the outcome’ published… “Now is the time for a new choice”
Lee Dong-guk, who wrote the book
(Seoul = Larose.VIP) Reporter Hwang Jae-ha = “Not all of the choices I made in the many crossroads I encountered while playing soccer were probably right. However, no matter what choice you made, if you read this book thinking that if the process was good, you can accept the result. “I hope so.”
Lee Dong-guk, a legend in the Korean soccer world who left countless records as a player, including becoming the youngest Korean to participate in the World Cup finals and scoring the most goals in his career in the K-League, turned into a writer and published an essay titled ‘There is no choice without knowing the outcome’, which deals with his thoughts on soccer life and life after retirement.
At a press conference held at the Franciscan Education Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 27th to commemorate the book’s publication, Lee Dong-guk said, “I published a book in 2013 thinking I would soon retire, but after that, I played for seven more years.” “I decided to write a book again because I wanted to organize my story after retirement,” he explained.
‘There is no choice without knowing the outcome’ covers Lee Dong-guk’s 23-year career as a player, his actions after retirement, and his future plans. It honestly contains the emotions felt while going through brilliant performances and difficult times.
Lee Dong-gook made a name for himself by joining Cha Bum-geun-ho at the 1998 France World Cup at the young age of 19 and becoming the youngest Korean player ever to play for the national team in the World Cup finals. However, he was frequently called up to the national team, but due to injuries and a decline in skill, he was retired in 2002. He did not participate in the 2016 World Cup.
Since then, his soccer life has been a series of twists and turns, with repeated rises and falls.
He maximized his skills ahead of the 2006 World Cup, but was unable to participate in the World Cup due to a ruptured cruciate ligament in the K-League two months ago. He advanced to the Premier League, but did not perform as expected, and had to leave Seongnam Ilhwa due to his age, but later led the team to its heyday at Jeonbuk Hyundai.
Lee Dong-guk looks back on the various choices made at each turn in the book and says, “Choices are difficult. But they are not scary. No matter how prepared and well-judged you choose, you may not get the results you expected. However, one choice does not mean that everything becomes a mess.” He said calmly.
Lee Dong-guk, who worked as a soccer commentator and operated a YouTube channel after retirement, is now preparing for his next choice. He wrote in the book, “I want to share with people the things I’ve learned while playing soccer and the ups and downs of my life story and experiences. I think the time has come to find and choose what I can do best.”
At the press conference, Lee Dong-guk expressed his intention to work for soccer, saying, “I was influenced so much by playing soccer that I think the last place I should be is somewhere doing something for soccer.”
To commemorate the publication, Lee Dong-guk plans to meet readers at the Kyobo Bookstore Gangnam branch on the 8th of next month and hold an autograph session, and hold a book concert in Jeonju on the 15th of the same month. On the 30th of next month, she will attend the Seoul International Book Fair.
jaeh@yna.co.kr
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