Samson's emotional time in the K-League was not in vain
Sep 16, 2025
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It was Kim Joo-sung's excitement. The Korea Professional Football Federation held the 2nd 'K League Hall of Fame' induction ceremony at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul on the 16th. The K-League Hall of Fame was established in 2023 to honor the history and tradition of Korean professional football and to publicize the contributions of those who contributed to the development of the K-League. It operates in three categories: athletes, leaders, and contributors, and inductees are selected every two years.
Kim Joo-sung, Kim Byung-ji, the late Yoo Sang-cheol, and Deyan in the player category, former Suwon Samsung coach Kim Ho in the leader category, and Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, in the contributor category. Choi Soon-ho, Hong Myung-bo, Shin Tae-yong, Lee Dong-guk, former coach Kim Jung-nam, and late POSCO Honorary Chairman Park Tae-joon were inducted at the first Hall of Fame in 2023.
At this year's induction ceremony, various programs were prepared to commemorate their performances and achievements by welcoming new inductees. Footballers with special ties to the inductees took the stage to introduce the contributions of the inductees and read their recommendations. A video showing the past performances of the inductees was also screened.
The inductee was awarded a trophy symbolizing the Hall of Fame's induction along with a certificate of induction recording their achievements in the K League. The trophy was embedded with a solid gold medal engraved with the symbol of the Hall of Fame, adding to the meaning of the induction.
Kim Joo-sung was the best all-around player in the K-League who made his professional debut with Daewoo Royals (now Busan) in 1987 and earned the nickname 'Wild Horse' based on his brilliant skills and strong physical strength. Kim Joo-sung has scored 35 goals and 17 assists in 255 K-League games, and is the first K-League player to be selected as a best-Eleven in all three positions: striker, midfielder, and defender. Kim Joo-sung became a cross-position legend after winning the best-leven striker category in his 1987 debut season, and being named best-leven in the midfield category in 1991 and the defender category in 1996, 1997 and 1999. He was named MVP of the 1997 season and impressed fans at home and abroad with his performances as a member of Busan Daewoo and the national team.
Suwon FC's general manager, who was the recommended person, said "If you recite this poem, you will know the relationship between me and Kim Joo-sung." It is the second poem of poet Na Tae-ju's "The Grass Flower." 'When you know the name, you become a neighbor, when you know the color, you become a friend, when you know the shape, you become a lover. Oh, this is a secret.' Two years ago, I stayed up all night trying to win a prize, but this time, I couldn't sleep because I was introducing Kim Joo-sung. I've watched outstanding players appear and disappear for many years while I've been in football. Among them, junior Kim Joo-sung remains clearly in my mind as the best striker that is hard to see again in our soccer history. The first time I knew about Kim Joo-sung's existence was a warm-up match between the World Cup team and the Olympic team in 1985 before joining the professional league. In that game, my World Cup team lost to the Olympic team, and Kim Joo-sung scored the winning goal. The physique was not big, but it showed sense and intelligence. He was then selected as a member of the World Cup national team and became a new face of Korean soccer. The place where the legend of Kim Joo-sung began was Gudeok Stadium in Busan. It seems to have been a sign that Kim Joo-sung will become a star of Busan in the K-League in the future. Kim Joo-sung also swept the Rookie of the Year, Best 11 by position, and MVP even when he joined the professional league in 1987. I can't forget the explosive run and powerful shooting that Kim Joo-sung showed when he switched from defense to offense. I don't know who named it, but the nickname Wild Horse looked really good on you. Kim Joo-sung not only played well, but also led many female fans to the soccer field with his beautiful appearance. Considering Kim's ability, popularity, and impact on the K-League from the late 1980s to the 1990s, the selection of the Hall of Fame is a natural result."
Kim Joo-sung, who was on stage, said, "I've attended many awards ceremonies, but I've never been as emotional as I was today. As such, this induction ceremony seems to announce a new start in a different sense. Those who attended here are the main players leading the K-League and Korean soccer. Thank you. I don't think those times when I was in the K League as a player were in vain as I attended the induction ceremony today. I think this induction ceremony is a meaningful event to impress and increase the value of the K-League. I hope the K-League will continue to grow into a league with impressions and stories. Personally, I'm in the K League and I have a lot of memories. There were pleasant and difficult times. I would like to honor my seniors and juniors and colleagues for holding hands with my colleagues during the difficult times and leading the world of the game to the time of glory. Thank you to the coaching staff for bringing the honor of Busan Royals. I wish the K-League endless development."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
