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Lee Dong-gook Explains Why He Initially Opposed His Son’s Soccer Career

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Lee Dong-gook said he initially opposed his youngest son Sian pursuing soccer because famous athletes’ children often face scrutiny tied to their parents.
  • He recalled Sian crying after people criticized him for missing a penalty and said even fouls were interpreted as evidence of poor character.
  • Baseball star Lee Jong-beom said his son, MLB player Lee Jung-hoo, faced similar comments and warned that such pressure can cause children stress.

Lee Dong-gook says his son Sian is judged as “Lee Dong-gook’s son” before he is judged as a young soccer player. The former national team striker described the pressure on the tvN STORY program “What Are You Going to Leave Behind?”

Can’t Lee Dong-gook’s son score that?

· Unnamed people at Sian’s matchLee Dong-gook recalled the remark Sian heard after missing a penalty.

Lee said he initially opposed Sian’s ambition to become a professional footballer. Even when a famous athlete’s child reaches a certain level through personal effort, he said, comments about the child’s DNA and parentage follow. That reality, he explained, was one reason he worried about Sian choosing the same path.

He recalled one match in which Sian missed a penalty. Lee said he watched from behind while wearing a hat and sunglasses, but heard people nearby say, “Can’t Lee Dong-gook’s son score that?” Sian heard the remark as he walked over and eventually cried.

What is wrong with his character?

· Unnamed criticsLee said people linked Sian’s fouls during soccer matches to his character.

Lee said the scrutiny goes beyond performance. Soccer involves physical challenges, he noted, but when Sian commits a foul, people say, “What is wrong with his character?” or criticize his character because he is Lee Dong-gook’s son. Lee Jong-beom, whose son Lee Jung-hoo chose baseball despite his father’s opposition and now plays in Major League Baseball, said children of famous athletes also hear questions about whether they play because of their ability or their father’s name.

We may hear things the children have not heard, and they may suffer stress while listening to them alone.

· Lee Jong-beomHe discussed the pressure faced by children of famous athletes.

Lee Jong-beom warned that children may hear such comments alone and suffer stress. He told Lee that Sian could face even more challenges in middle and high school, when other players may say, “Are you Lee Dong-gook’s son? Let’s see how good you are.” Lee Dong-gook responded that he felt overwhelmed thinking about the attention his son would have to bear. The program featuring both former athletes was scheduled to air at 8 p.m. on the seventh.

Are you Lee Dong-gook’s son? Let’s see how good you are.

· Example cited by Lee Jong-beomHe described the kind of challenge Sian might face in middle and high school.
About this summary

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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