[김형중_비욘더게임] He left Lim Young-woong’s homework in the K-League

[골닷컴] Last weekend, the biggest topic in K-League Round 6 was the visit of national singer Lim Young-woong. It gathered 45,000 spectators and created a new sensation.

On the 8th, 45,007 paying spectators entered the 6th match of the 2023 Hana One QK League 1 round between FC Seoul and Daegu FC at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. According to the Seoul club, the number of people who watched the match in the stadium, including all the officials, was 47,117. This was the record for the largest number of spectators at a professional sports game in Korea since Corona 19, and the first 40,000 spectators in the K-League since 2016.

For Seoul, which averaged just over 20,000 spectators in the two games held at home this season before the match, Lim Young-woong’s visit managed to increase the stimulating effect of more than twice as many spectators. The last three years have not been good, but in various respects, it has lived up to the hype as a leading club in the league.

What is interesting is that Lim Young-woong first contacted the Seoul club for this event. Lim Young-woong, who is usually known as a football maniac, takes care of football very well and is friendly with Ki Sung-yong and Hwang Eui-jo from Seoul. So, I asked if it would be possible to host Sichuan in Seoul Gyeonggi, and the club readily accepted. In addition, the half-time performance was also decided by Lim Young-woong, and it meant a gift for fans.

Lim Young-woong, who performed the timeline before kick-off, was a left-footed master. A dynamic left foot kick that reminded me of Lee Kang-in’s kick. The ball that left his foot flew into the vicinity of the goal differently from the usual time axis. I could feel that I enjoy playing football as usual.

When the game started, Lim Young-woong’s every move in the crowd was of interest. Every time a goal was scored, the scene of him cheering appeared on the screen, and the fans went wild with the joy of scoring. During the game, there was even a wave of cheering. I was wondering how long it had been since I saw a surf cheering at a K-League game. As around 80% of the total capacity of the Seoul World Cup Stadium was occupied, the waves extended in both directions.

It was also interesting that most of the age group of Lim Young-woong’s ‘Heroic Age’ fan club was middle-aged or older. The interesting point was that the age group of the spectators who filled the K-League stadium was getting older rather than the standout himself. It was like a scene from a professional football match held at Dongdaemun Stadium in the 1980s and 1990s. Fans the size of mums and dads shook their bottoms at each player’s energetic play, and applause and cheers added to the supporters’ slogans and cheers. It was a positive sight in terms of diversifying the league’s fan base.

However, I can’t help but like it when I look at these box office hits. You have to think that continuing this is more important. National singer Lim Young-woong personally showed how much synergy can be created when the K-League and other areas work together. Now, it is necessary to find various interesting elements that can attract the attention of fans at the federation and club level. Of course, like the game on this day, performance and performance should be the basics.

Coach Ahn Ik-soo, who attended the post-match press conference, said, “We need to strive so that more than 45,000 fans can come to visit us with only football content, and it is we need to make a lot of improvements.” As a director, it must be a new feeling.

It was the same with Ki Sung-yong, whom I met at Mixed Zone. He said, “Since many fans have come, the players also have a taste for playing. If many spectators come because we are good at football, that is also a meaningful thing, so we will have to achieve better results.”

“It seems that (the number of spectators today) was the first since 50,000 spectators during the Super Match before going to Europe. It would be nice if there were a lot of spectators every time, but I think that would happen if I played football well. It seems to be an advantage for FC Seoul. If we do well, more people can come. I think the club’s officials and supporters, everyone must have felt a lot today. If we continue with this good atmosphere, wouldn’t it be possible to make use of the advantages of the capital’s club?”

The 7th round of the K-League, which resumes from the 15th, should be the starting point for solving the homework left by Lim Young-woong.