A recent broadcast of the JTBC entertainment show ‘Yes Man’ featured a discussion among athletes about the timing of retirement and perceptions of their personalities, sparking some pointed commentary. The program, aired on , included judo bronze medalist Jo Jun-ho, former tennis player Lee Hyung-taek and several other prominent figures from the world of sports.
The conversation took a somewhat critical turn when Jo Jun-ho offered his assessment of Lee Hyung-taek’s character based on physiognomy, the practice of assessing personality or physical characteristics from the form of the face. Jo Jun-ho stated that Lee Hyung-taek has “thin ears, gets carried away by people around him, leaks his wealth once in a while, and beware of fraud.” This assessment prompted a response from Lee Hyung-taek, who, in turn, questioned Jo Jun-ho’s decision to retire at a relatively young age.
Lee Hyung-taek suggested that Jo Jun-ho “should have done more after the surgery,” referring to a potential surgical intervention that could have extended his judo career. Jo Jun-ho countered that he had avoided surgery, attributing his longevity in the sport to his natural durability. The exchange highlights a common debate among athletes: whether to push physical limits through medical intervention or to accept the natural course of athletic decline.
The discussion broadened to include the broader topic of retirement timing in professional sports. Several athletes expressed a preference for leaving their sport while still performing at a high level, “going out when applause is the best,” as Ki Bo-bae, an archer, put it. This sentiment reflects a desire to avoid the decline in performance that often accompanies prolonged careers and the potential for negative perceptions associated with staying in the game too long. Seo Jang-hoon, a former basketball player, echoed this view, noting that he retired at age 40 while still leading the domestic league in scoring.
Ahn Jung-hwan, a former soccer player, shared a similar perspective, stating he preferred to retire while still successful, avoiding criticism that his skills were diminishing. This desire to control the narrative surrounding their departure is a common theme among elite athletes. The conversation also touched on the physical and psychological toll of competitive sports, with Jo Jun-ho describing the intense pressure and sacrifices required to compete at the Olympic level. He recounted that preparing for the Olympics felt “like I was going to die rather than go to the Olympics,” and that while winning a bronze medal was an achievement, the gap between bronze and gold felt insurmountable, leading to his decision to retire at age 25 after 14 years in the sport.
The discussion also included a lighthearted exchange about surgical interventions. Seo Jang-hoon, who played basketball while wearing a cast for a herniated cervical disc, prompted others to reveal if they had avoided surgery. Ki Bo-bae, Park Tae-hwan (a swimmer), and Jo Jun-ho raised their hands, indicating they had not undergone surgical procedures during their careers. This prompted a discussion about the varying demands placed on different sports and the individual approaches athletes take to managing injuries and maintaining their physical condition.
Park Tae-hwan explained that swimming is often perceived as a rehabilitative activity by the general public, but that athletes actually engage in rigorous training to strengthen their shoulders, ankles, and backs. This highlights a common misunderstanding about the physical demands of different sports and the level of dedication required to compete at an elite level.
The exchange between Lee Hyung-taek and Jo Jun-ho, while seemingly lighthearted, touches on a complex issue in professional sports: the balance between pushing physical limits, managing injuries, and knowing when to retire. The athletes’ comments reflect a shared understanding of the pressures and sacrifices involved in competitive athletics and the desire to leave the sport on their own terms, while still being remembered for their achievements.
Lee Hyung-taek’s background extends beyond tennis. According to information available on NamuWiki, he was exempt from military service due to his achievements in tennis and has since become a tennis coach and commentator. He also runs the “Lee Hyung Taik Tennis Academy” in Chuncheon, South Korea, which opened in . He began his international career in 1995, later than many of his international counterparts. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 36 in , winning one singles title and earning $2,355,686 in prize money throughout his career.
The program also featured commentary on physiognomy, a practice not recognized by the medical community. While presented as entertainment, it’s important to note that assessments based on facial features lack scientific validity and should not be used to make judgments about an individual’s character or trustworthiness.
