“Everyone says I’m ‘King Jong-woo’.”
Pohang Steelers midfielder Kim Jong-woo (30) played his first game after transferring to Daegu FC in the first round of Hana One Q 2023 K League 1 held at Pohang Steel Yard on the 6th. Placed in the third line with Oberdan, he did not seem to have completely melted into the team, but he finished his first game in Pohang smoothly by helping Lee Ho-jae’s come-from-behind goal in extra time in the second half.
It was a game that had a lot of interest in Kim Jong-woo. This is because Kim Jong-woo is a resource recruited after Shin Jin-ho (Incheon United), who played an MVP-level performance last season, left the team. Kim Jong-woo also wore number 6 on his uniform. He declared that he would become a ‘king’ himself, but there was no sense of pressure. Kim Jong-woo, whom we met in the Mixed Zone after the game, said, “Personally, I am very disappointed. He didn’t express it, but it was a burden. I watched the Incheon game, and Jinho seemed to have a lot of pressure,” he said. “I became impatient after entering the game. It’s a pity that such appearances came out in play,” he evaluated himself.
Nevertheless, the promise to become the ‘king’ of Pohang continues. “It’s not evaluated as one game,” he said, “I think I’ll be able to play my game if I put down a little bit of the burden and adapt to the team.” Kim Jong-woo was not satisfied with his performance, but Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong said, “Jong-woo actually joined the team late. He is a technically excellent player. He did better than I thought,” he expressed satisfaction. 안전놀이터
Kim Jong-woo, who heard this, said, “How bad I was during training… He scratched his head and said, “I think the director said that to boost his confidence. The coach switched places with Oberdan in the second half, and then two goals were scored. “You just have to trust me,” he said. I believe in it and try to work hard,” he laughed.
There are many ‘king makers’ around him who want to make Kim Jong-woo a ‘king’. Kim Jong-woo said, “His teammates call me ‘King Jong-woo’ or ‘The King’ as they pass by as a joke. It seems like he’s playing a prank on purpose. There is an atmosphere of really trying to help,” he explained. “I have to play the role of leading the team that Jinho hyung did. In order to do that, I have to show something.”