red devils and yong joon

While waiting for Yong Joon to come out, I thought of blogging the RED DEVILS. Yup, the Korean National Team playing at the 2006 World Cup. As you probably know Yong Joon is an ardent fan of football. Aside from being an avid fan, he is amongst the many Korean actors showing support by posing at Keangnam’s huge billboard wearing the Red Devils shirt.

He also left a message at Joon Ang Sports wishing the team good luck.

BYJ's Message
(From Joon Ang Entertainment and Sports)
around 6th of June

translated by flowerbossa

I had many thoughts while watching the friendly match between Korea and Bosnia-Herzegovina which was held a few days ago.
In particular, the sight of Lee Chun Soo running energetically on the field made me realize that Korean soccer has made great progress over the years. I was not able to see the match against Ghana, (note: Korea lost this game), but sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, so I am not very concerned about the results.

Soccer and show business seem to have something in common – the greatest aim for both of these worlds is to give happiness to its people. The sense of pride and joy the Korean fighters gave us in the 2002 games meant the world to us. I hope they do well in the upcoming World Cup games as well.

As for me, the shooting for the drama “Tae Wang Sa Shin Ki” (“Great Kings and Four Gods”) will begin soon, and while everyone is going wild over the World Cup games, I will probably be shooting my scenes in Kyrgyzstan. I had hoped to enjoy the excitement of the games in my country with all the other soccer fans, but as a Korean citizen, I will be praying for the Korean national team from afar. Fighting!

The Red Devils will have a game today against Switzerland and this is a deciding game whether they can be part of the 16 teams to remain or go home. At this moment, I’m pretty sure that almost all the Korean soccer fans are already preparing for the game. Have you seen any of their games? The enthusiastic fans in Seoul? Hospital? Home for the aged? And even in jail?








Here’s a bit of information about the Red Devils which I got from Soompi that Solo posted. Forgive me for only posting photos of my favorite players ^ ^

KOREAN NATIONAL TEAM Nicknamed the Taeguk Warriors, the Korean National Team first entered its major competition in the 1948 Summer Olympics, then in the 1954 World Cup. Korea has participated in more World Cups than any other Asian team, qualifying 6 times in a row. Korea's most successful accomplishment was the 2002 World Cup led by Guus Hiddink, where they grabbed fourth place. Korea is currently coached by Dick Advocaat. Korea's strength is in its midfield however lacks in the finishing (scoring) department especially after the injury of Lee Dong-Gook.





KIM NAM-IL: is a defensive midfielder. He's known for his tough persona, strong work ethic and was one of the reasons why Korea was so successful in the 2002 World Cup. He is currently injured. He's also known for his short temper



PARK JI-SUNG One of the most successful and important football players to come out of Korea. Currently plays for Manchester United as a winger but can also be used as a central midfielder. He started out his career in Japan at Kyoto Purple Sanga and later rose to stardom in 2002. Hiddink later brought him along to PSV in Holland and became successful and popular. Fans later named him "Oxygen" because he has an endless supply of stamina and never stops running. His most well known and highlight of his PSV career was in the Champions League semi-final game against AC Milan where he scored the first goal and was one of the best players on the pitch. in 2005 he moved to Manchester United in England and has become a regular starter having the 3rd most assists in the team. He even has a road named after him in Suwon, his hometown



JO JAE-JIN: Currently plays in Japan for Shimizu S-Pulse. He is a classic center-foward, has the best heading-scoring skills on the team and is the 3rd top scorer in the J-League. Jo Jae-Jin has been chosen for the National Squad after Lee Dong-Gook's injury, however he is largely underrated and I feel is a lot better than Seol Ki-Hyun.





LEE YOUNG-PYO: Another great player to come out of Korea. He is an attack-minded defender, plays left-back, right-back, central midfielder and loves to show off his flashy skills. Currently plays in the England Premiership for the Tottenham Hotspurs. He started out his career in Korea at Anyang Cheetahs FC (FC Seoul). Later he followed Hiddink with Park Ji-Sung to PSV Eindhoven where he had an outstanding career and moved to Tottenham in 2005. Tottenham's coach, Martin Jol described Lee as "the best left-back in Holland, and one of the best left-backs in Europe today."



AHN JUNG-HWAN: Is probably the first choice center forward and is best known for his golden goal against Italy in 2002. He played for the Italian Serie A club Perugia, but was later fired by the coach after he "shamed" Italy after the golden goal. This caused a huge scandal and was in the news everywhere at the time. After Perugia, he played a couple of seasons in Japan. in 2005, he moved to the French side FC Metz but failed to meet up to his standards. He currently plays for the German MSV Duisburg. He's more known for his looks rather than playing ability, but he is still the best finisher in the KNT and has shown some unbelievable goals. Stamina is his main weakness. He has also lost his agility and is now past his prime. Even though he has showed bad performances for his clubs, he seems to be a different player when he puts on the Korean Jersey.

He is married to a former Ms Korea.

LEE CHUN-SOO: After his part in 2002's success, he moved to Real Sociedad in Spain but after a mediocre performance moved to Namuncia. Now he plays forward for Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i in Korea. He's known to be a great free-kick taker and he won the 2005 K-League MVP of the Year award. He's also well known for being loud mouthed and cocky and this is where he gets the nickname 'Lip Chun-Soo' or 'Eep Chun-Soo'

And here are the rest of the players.

PARK JU-YOUNG
CHUNG KYUNG-HO
BAEK JI-HOON
LEE DONG-GUK
CHA DU-RI

I’m not sure who Yong Joon’s favorite player is, and I surely want to know who. Anyone knows?

Have you heard of the Red Devils cheer? Here’s another link to Reds Go Together if the other one doesn't work. Download it now and listen and trying sing with it. And here’s the lyrics with english translation to the song.

REDS GO TOGETHER - Buzz

그댄 나의 챔피온 너와 나의 챔피온
우리 함께 외치면 승리하리라

You are my Champion, your and my Champion
We shout together, we shall win

모두 다 일어나 붉은 함성 외치자
승리를 향해 달려가는 전사들이 듣도록

We all stand up, make a red shouting
So our warriors running to the victory can hear

너와 나 다함께 일어나 이 노래를 부르자
영원한 승리자 그들을 위해 워~

You and me sing this song together
For them, the eternal winner Wow~

Reds go Reds go together
Reds go Reds go together
영원히 함께 할 그대여

Can you picture Yong Joon singing Reds Go Together with Korean flag painted on his cheeks with the red hotdog (?) balloon? or holding this?

thanks to solo of soompi for the red devils team info and saturn for the lyrics of "reds go together".