It is not simply the gamers and workers who’re representing their nation at a World Cup; in a method, the media are too. Placing your greatest foot ahead is not simply restricted to those that cross that white line. For a journalist, there’s the accountability of precisely portraying what is going on on the bottom, capturing the second, the temper, and the environment for followers again house. Park Ju-mi of public broadcaster KBS explains what it is like.
(Photograph by Lars Baron/Getty Photos)
Commercial
Park Ju-mi of nationwide broadcaster KBS, Korea’s model of the BBC, has been to 3 World Cups – from 2014 in to Russia in 2018 after which in 2022. Park has seen all of it, the behind-the-scenes stresses and strains of what it is prefer to symbolize South Korea at a World Cup, the tears, the celebrations, and has skilled the heavy accountability that comes with giving the general public and supporters a glimpse, however in a method that does not betray confidences, belief, and trigger hurt to the gamers who’re making an attempt to make the folks again house proud.
In a wide-ranging interview, Park Ju-mi talks about the entire above, plus the comparisons with the legendary 2002 crew, the media’s relationship with the nationwide crew, and way more.
What’s the largest distinction between watching the nationwide crew as a fan and masking them as a reporter?
Once you watch the nationwide crew as a fan, you turn out to be emotionally immersed in what’s taking place on the pitch and within the end result itself. However once you’re on the World Cup as a reporter, you take a look at issues extra three-dimensionally, past merely whether or not the crew wins or loses. You begin asking: “Why did this end result occur?” “What psychological state have been the gamers in?” “The place is Korean soccer heading?”
Commercial
From the preparation course of earlier than the event to the dedication proven in gamers’ expressions, and even their bodily limitations, you start to note issues that aren’t seen on the floor. You additionally expertise the environment across the crew and the intangible variables surrounding the matches.
The World Cup isn’t just a sporting occasion; it’s an area the place nationwide feelings collect. Due to that, a journalist feels a better accountability to convey the which means behind the environment itself, quite than merely sharing within the pleasure or disappointment.
How seen is the stress of representing all the nation throughout the squad?
The stress contained in the nationwide crew is far better than folks in all probability think about. Korean gamers usually say they don’t really feel like they’re merely taking part in a soccer match — they really feel they’re “carrying the expectations of all the nation.”
Commercial
Symbolically, though this event is an exception, the crew has beforehand held send-off showcases in Gwanghwamun Sq.. Earlier than the 2014 World Cup in , the gamers even arrived for his or her first coaching camp in fits quite than informal garments, displaying the seriousness with which they approached the event.
Korean gamers clearly perceive the which means and weight of representing the nation by the Taegeuk badge. For instance, you don’t actually see mass street-support occasions for the Olympics, however throughout the World Cup in Korea, folks collect in big teams outdoor to help the nationwide crew, even when kick-off is late at night time or early within the morning Korean time. That alone exhibits the World Cup exists on a very totally different degree.
Gamers obtain these reactions in actual time by social media and on-line platforms, so the stress is gigantic. Korea is a rustic the place curiosity in soccer — and reactions to it — transfer extraordinarily shortly, and the gamers know that. Through the World Cup particularly, even the smallest motion or phrase in an interview may be closely scrutinized, so the psychological burden is critical.
On the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Kim Min-woo and Jang Hyun-soo, who have been blamed for conceding the penalty in opposition to within the opening match, suffered enormously from on-line criticism and abuse on social media after the sport. The Korea Soccer Affiliation even unusually requested reporters off the document to chorus from publishing sure articles as a result of the gamers have been struggling so badly.
Commercial
These gamers have been preventing not solely the match itself, but additionally the psychological toll of every thing surrounding it. After the Sweden match, I noticed Kim Min-woo within the combined zone, and he genuinely seemed devastated. All through the interview, he repeatedly apologized to the Korean public and burst into tears.
Once you witness scenes like that, past being a reporter, you begin considering as a human being: soccer is simply soccer — why do these younger gamers need to endure such huge stress? It’s genuinely heartbreaking.
Do some gamers deal with that stress higher than others?
I feel the gamers who deal with stress properly are likely to share two qualities: expertise on massive levels and emotional management. At tournaments just like the World Cup, technical potential issues, however in the end, an important factor is composure.
Commercial
Gamers like Park Ji-sung, , and — the main figures of their respective eras — confirmed a capability to remain calm earlier than and after matches and stabilize all the crew. Expertise taking part in in opposition to world-class opponents helps tremendously. To place it bluntly, they’ve the form of mentality that doesn’t get intimidated simply.
And when that confidence combines with competitiveness, it might create unimaginable chemistry. Then again, youthful gamers can typically be overwhelmed not by the match itself, however by all the World Cup environment throughout their first event. In these conditions, the function of skilled leaders throughout the squad turns into extraordinarily essential.
Park Ju-mi on the Qatar World Cup
Commercial
Do you’re feeling stress to precisely seize defining World Cup moments as a reporter?
Sure, reporters really feel the same form of stress. On the World Cup, a single second, interview, or quote can turn out to be one thing that defines a participant’s profession ceaselessly. In order journalists, we really feel a accountability to convey the which means of these moments precisely with out exaggerating feelings.
In Korea particularly, World Cup protection is remembered for a really very long time, so we turn out to be much more cautious. We pay shut consideration to each phrase. We attempt to use optimistic wording quite than unnecessarily adverse language, and even conjunctions matter. For instance, quite than writing: “Participant B collapsed after failing to cease world-class participant A and permitting house,” we would as a substitute write: “Participant B tried to cease world-class participant A, however A’s motion into house led to the aim.”
An important World Cup efficiency can turn out to be a wonderful milestone in a participant’s profession. However careless wording also can shorten a participant’s profession. That’s why we really feel accountability for each phrase we use.
Commercial
What’s one thing Korean viewers don’t absolutely perceive in regards to the World Cup atmosphere?
I feel the toughest factor for Korean viewers to actually really feel by tv is the strain on the bottom.
From earlier than the opening match, even earlier than kick-off, the environment of all the metropolis modifications throughout a World Cup. Round crew accommodations, media centres, and combined zones, every thing turns into extraordinarily tense and delicate. Particularly after defeats, the silence within the combined zone or the expressions on gamers’ faces are issues tv can by no means absolutely seize.
Do you’re feeling the same sense of accountability as a journalist representing Korea overseas?
Sure, to some extent I do. In fact, the tasks of gamers and journalists are totally different, however once you cowl the Korean nationwide crew abroad, you naturally start to really feel that you’re additionally representing Korea in a roundabout way.
Commercial
Over the past three World Cups (2014-2022), I’ve observed modifications in Korea’s soccer stature by the growing variety of overseas journalists attending Korean coaching periods. On the Qatar World Cup, for instance, I noticed big banners that includes Son Heung-min alongside world stars like , and there have been many overseas reporters there particularly to cowl not solely Son, but additionally gamers like Kim Min-jae.
When talking with overseas journalists, you usually end up explaining Korean soccer tradition or the backgrounds of Korean gamers, so it turns into a accountability that goes past easy reporting.
Are you able to describe a second the place you felt the emotional influence of the nationwide crew in actual time?
Personally, one of the crucial emotional moments for me was after the win over on the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Proper after the ultimate whistle, the gamers have been hugging one another and crying. As a broadcast reporter, I used to be conducting interviews on the pitch earlier than and after the match, and the environment was not possible to separate from emotionally. It felt like way more than only a victory.
Commercial
As a result of I knew how exhausting these gamers had labored, seeing them overcome the predictions of analysts and consultants and create an sudden miracle collectively as one crew was extremely shifting. In moments like that, it’s tough even for reporters to utterly take away emotion. However on the identical time, you continue to need to calmly document and talk what occurred, so I keep in mind making an attempt to compose myself whereas reporting.
Do gamers behave in another way in interviews on the World Cup in comparison with common internationals?
Sure, the environment is unquestionably totally different on the World Cup. In comparison with common internationals, gamers turn out to be way more cautious. They’re much more conscious of the influence a single remark can have.
On the identical time, there are moments when gamers turn out to be extra emotionally sincere — particularly after optimistic outcomes.
Commercial
As a result of the World Cup is the largest stage of their careers, gamers usually converse extra brazenly and emotionally than normal. For some motive, many gamers have cried in entrance of me throughout interviews, and emotionally, I discover myself drawn into these moments too.
Park Ju-mi reporting from Qatar
How has the connection between the media and the nationwide crew advanced?
I feel the space between the media and the nationwide crew has grown considerably in comparison with the previous.
Beforehand, the environment between gamers and reporters felt extra relaxed and acquainted. Not too long ago, media methods have turn out to be extra structured and there’s a a lot stronger emphasis on defending gamers.
Commercial
Within the social media period, particularly, interview feedback are sometimes immediately magnified or misinterpreted, so gamers have turn out to be much more cautious. There are additionally stricter guidelines surrounding media entry as a result of opponents can analyze tactical particulars or harm conditions by public coaching periods and media protection.
What’s the environment like amongst Korean media when Korea will get an essential win at a World Cup?
When Korea will get a serious end result, the environment amongst Korean journalists on the bottom is actually particular. It virtually looks like dopamine is overflowing. Bodily, you’re exhausted, however mentally you’re feeling an unimaginable sense of exhilaration.
Journalists normally attempt to not present emotion, however on the World Cup, there’s a sense that all the Korean press corps is experiencing a historic second collectively. Personally, my first thought in these moments is all the time: “This scene goes to stay in Korean soccer historical past.”
Commercial
It’s hectic and chaotic, however on the identical time joyful. And after ending all of the work for the day, having a chilly beer in some way makes your entire physique really feel lighter. The schedule is extraordinarily demanding. Broadcast reporters normally put together two totally different variations of their reviews earlier than the match even ends, together with recorded audio and on-camera segments, as a result of, relying on the stay state of affairs, all the story may have to alter immediately. Even once you barely sleep, really feel bodily drained, or miss meals, you continue to really feel completely satisfied and fulfilled.
Do you assume the media is truthful in its reporting and criticism of the nationwide crew?
Total, I feel Korean media criticism of the nationwide crew may be fairly sturdy as a result of expectations and public curiosity are so excessive. Typically criticism turns into extreme, however on the identical time, that intense curiosity can be a part of the power behind Korean soccer.
Not too long ago, although, there was extra shallow criticism and extra attention-seeking protection, missing a deeper understanding of the crew’s historical past or context. I hope there might be extra makes an attempt to investigate structural points similar to techniques, methods, and participant safety, quite than criticism primarily based purely on outcomes.
Commercial
Do all Korea squads nonetheless get in comparison with the 2002 crew?
Sure, I feel the 2002 crew nonetheless stays the benchmark. Sooner or later, reaching the Spherical of 16 on the World Cup virtually began to really feel like an expectation by default.
As a result of Korea’s run to the semifinals in 2002 was such a robust expertise, each era afterward has naturally been in comparison with it. However I don’t assume that comparability is barely a burden.
The 2002 World Cup created optimistic outcomes similar to elevated curiosity in Korean soccer, better funding, and broader participation. The variety of Korean gamers shifting to high European leagues additionally elevated dramatically.
Commercial
2002 additionally gave Korean soccer the arrogance that it might compete on the world stage. On the identical time, whereas the extent of gamers and followers has risen, I feel the event of methods and constructions has lagged behind, stopping that full potential from creating actual synergy.
There hasn’t been sufficient deep reflection or philosophy relating to areas like coach improvement, and there’s additionally frustration that Korea typically stays trapped in previous glory with out absolutely recognizing that different international locations are bettering concurrently as properly. Nonetheless, I imagine the time is coming when insurance policies and methods will lastly start matching the extent of the gamers and followers.
Do you assume the media helped create these expectations?
Sure, I feel the media undoubtedly performed a task. In 2002, all the nation was consumed by World Cup fever, and the media amplified and shared that environment very strongly. Since then, the World Cup in Korea has come to be seen not merely as a sporting occasion, however virtually as a nationwide achievement, and people expectations have continued ever since. On the identical time, I don’t assume that reminiscence was created by the media alone — it was one thing Korean society created collectively as an entire.