Korean Soccer Legends Showcase Leadership Styles in JTBC’s Hit Variety Show
Four of South Korea’s top football legends are back on the field – this time not as players, but as coaches with distinct leadership styles. Episode 5 of JTBC’s hit sports variety show, airing May 4 at 7:10 PM KST, puts the spotlight on the intense and often comedic training sessions leading up to the launch of the much-awaited fantasy league.
Park Hang-seo, leading Team ‘Papaclos’, embraces a fatherly approach. Declaring, “We are family,” Park lifts team morale and boosts players’ confidence, even calling out rival team members like Guevara and Lee Shin-gi to help his team strategize.
In contrast, Ahn Jung-hwan takes a strict, hierarchical approach. He commands athlete Lee Dae-hoon to “Start a group chat” for better coordination and promises swift feedback to improve team performance, emphasizing a teacher-student dynamic.
Expectations were high for Kim Nam-il’s legendary ‘tough love’ approach, but the ex-midfielder surprises viewers with a softer side. Focusing on his players’ daily lives rather than their football matches, he reminds them, “What matters most is your actual work.”
Rounding out the quartet is Lee Dong-gook, the youngest coach, who exudes passionate energy. “If you’re not in it wholeheartedly, it’ll show on the pitch,” he says, pushing his team to give their all across 30 intense days of training leading up to the opener.
Adding a fresh twist to the lineup is Kim Geun-woo — the non-professional goalkeeper and son of actress Ra Mi-ran — who is mentored personally by Ahn Jung-hwan. With no prior football experience and his first touch with goalkeeper gloves, can Kim be molded into match-ready form?
As the countdown to the fantasy league kickoff begins, fans can expect gripping moments, heartfelt leadership, and unexpected growth from JTBC’s uniquely uplifting sports series.
