Our man in Korea: Yes it’s true, QPR are famous here now
Hello, my name is Jin-Hyoung and I am a Korean journalist living in Seoul.
I am going to be writing for West London Sport this season, giving you a perspective from the country where the name ‘Queens Park Rangers’ has suddenly become well known to football fans.
Park Ji-sung’s move to the club from Manchester United has had a big impact here. The media and general public are very proud of him – not just in Korea but in other Asian countries too.
Everyone in this country, whether they like football or not, knows Park. He’s a massive celebrity here as David Beckham is in England.
I’m sure many English people know more about LA Galaxy now than they did a few years ago, and in the same way Park’s move has brought QPR to the attention of Koreans.
Initially, people here were shocked and maybe disappointed at his decision to leave a famous club like United for a team not many were aware of.
But people very quickly changed their minds.
“Queens Park Rangers is a great club. They have vision for a better future, and I was very convinced of the fact,” Park explained. And these words have resonated with many football fans here.
As soon as this statement was made by Park, millions of Korean people started researching the history of QPR and the current squad.
I think they are now very pleased with his decision and feel that a club has value not just because of a great history, but also the quality of its fans and strong ambition for the future. QPR clearly have both these factors in their favour.
Korean websites have been constantly talking about QPR. The banner you see on the right is from one of the many fans’ forums that have been full of discussion about Park and his new team.
That gives you an indication of the enthusiasm for QPR in this country right now.
QPR’s profile here has been further enhanced by their interest in another high-profile Korean player.
Celtic’s Sung-yeung Ki is famous for his powerful and accurate shooting and is a big name here too. If he joins Park it will bring even more attention to the club.
The number of QPR fans in South Korea, it is said, now stands at more than 30,000 because of Park’s move.
But that number is rising dramatically and will be influenced in the future by the club’s brand marketing in Asia.
In fact, looking at various fans’ forums, QPR have already gained a nickname: ‘국민클럽’ (Kook-min club), which means the most popular club among fans.
Of course, what matters most is how the team performs during the coming season. That more than anything else will determine how QPR are regarded here in the longer term.
See also:
Park: QPR now famous in Korea
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09/08/2012 @ 7:25 pm
It’s absolutely true!
Im frome Korea and Im in Ireland.
QPR has been got 50,000,000 Korean fans by Park.
I’m going to London to watch QPR’s match!
30/07/2012 @ 9:23 am
Just to correct a mistakes, QPR is actually owned by Malaysian most successful entrepreneur, Tan Sri Anthony Fernandes (major shareholder) and Mittal family from India.. Just Google it..
But I could’nt denied that Park Ji Sung gives a great impact for QPR to be well known in the Asian since he moves from MU…
Nway, I wish Park the best for his new career in QPR!! Love Park Ji sung…
28/07/2012 @ 12:21 am
ParkFan
This is the Buzsáky song:
Saw a mate
The other day
He said to me he saw the white Pelé.
I said to him
What’s his name?
He said to me his name is ‘Buzsáky’,
Buzsáky, Buzsáky
He said to me his name is ‘Buzsáky’.
That’s good news about Park. We have a lot of skillful players, but sometimes our defense was very naive. Even though Park didn’t play much in the recent trip to Asia, I can see he is a good tackler who fights to get the ball back from the other team.
Korean Park Ranger!
Actually, QPR didn’t win anything for a long time. We only just returned to the Premier League after 15 years. Last season we finished 17th and almost got relegated. We are playing against some very big clubs with a lot of money and experience. The main objective is to stay in the Premier League. So no crown at the moment.
Hm.
I am glad you are realistic!
27/07/2012 @ 10:44 pm
Thanks TacticalQPR,
I don’t understand exactly what is being chanted for Buzaky in the clip, but it sounds promising!
I want to add this about Ji. QPR really pulled off something by persuading him to join. You got him at the very top of his game. He has never been a better player than now, ever. Man Utd trained him for 7 years with the best of the best. Ji has never been more rested, injury free and healthy since he joined Man Utd. His inside-the -ox composure and goal scoring ability has dramatically improved each year while at Man Utd. It has never been better than now. The media portrayed has him portrayed all wrong, Ji isn’t about energy to run all day. He merely does so because he understands the importance of getting into the right position to constantly create opportunities for the team to score or defend. Out of all the Korean players, Ji has the most developed scoring ability, passing accuracy, and composure in front of the goal of all the Korean players, period. Ji-sung will now have the opportunity to show his class with QPR and we in Korea will be rooting for his new club! Go QPR.
27/07/2012 @ 9:39 pm
Korean people were a bit baffled by Park’s move, but because of the respect they have of Park, many fans placed trust in his decisions. Yes there were some who were ” wtf?!” but i mean you’d get that response from few fans anywhere. More than anything, QPR has become well known amongst the korean population because of Park, but Koreans aren’t stupid when it comes to football knowledge. They know the reality of QPR, and that is making it into the top 10 is/should be the goal for the club. They root QPR for that, but Koreans don’t expect QPR to be the next mcfc or anything. That’s the reality. I think there is some exaggeration in the article about Koreans support for QPR as if it’s a high ranked club. None of that exists. koreans just wants Park to succeed in his new environment meaning that means they want QPR to succeed.
27/07/2012 @ 9:13 pm
My prediction for 2012, the year of transformation. Park’s move is prescient. QPR will be Champions because:
The old order is about to change. QPR will be exalted and the mighty Man Utd. will be brought down, like a sinking ship.
The LORD says: “Take off your jeweled crown, for the old order changes. Now the lowly will be exalted, and the mighty will be brought down. Ezekiel 21:26
27/07/2012 @ 8:09 pm
ParkFan, I hope we can make up a good new song for Park Ji Sung.
Normally we have good songs. This song is about one of our old players, Buzsáky:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i63wWDlGxc
27/07/2012 @ 7:51 pm
Just a Park and now Hoilett will be excellent signings for Q.P.R., I think that Jin-Hyoung Shin will be an excellent signing for West London Sport. I think that his view from South Korea will be fascinating over the coming season. This World of R’s is getting bigger.
27/07/2012 @ 7:36 pm
Hey Ahmad,
Koreans have no problems with Park playing for an Indonesian and Indian family owned English Club. I think this is actually a good thing over there. Park has and will be treated with great respect by the management, players and fans at QPR. This is more important for Koreans than the prestige of a Man Utd. I hope that Park has an incredible season with QPR. The underdog is always the most interesitng and actually stories to watch. Millions of Koreans will be watching not just the games, but the continued “story” of Park in England. QPR does have a chance to make real fans out of us Koreans here. Treat him well and you will gain our respect and loyalty.
27/07/2012 @ 6:15 pm
Actually, the comparison would not be so much “fish and chips”. A closer analogy would be like using “marmite eating” in a song for a player from England. This is what Man Utd fan’s did to Ji Sung by their reference to dog eating. Do you now understand? I know QPR fans have more class than Man Utd fans.
27/07/2012 @ 5:53 pm
Hello from Korea!
We would really appreciate if QPR fans in London would adopt a very popular song for Ji while he was at PSV.
Park ji sung’s Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjIENVpLKgA
The dog eating reference in the song from his previous club was insulting to us. Would not refering to “fish and chips” in a song for a player from England for instance be just as ridiculous and insensitive?
27/07/2012 @ 5:52 pm
The reason why Korean fans can change the ( EPL) teams easily is probably because we didn’t grow up nor live right next to a team like you have with your QPR, but rest assured QPR will be the favorite team for the majority of the Korean football fans for nest several years.
Park was played way less than he should probably because Man U manager Furgerson wanted to facilitate Young more, and I suspect that probably contributed costing the league title least year.
27/07/2012 @ 4:53 pm
Or are you just confused with Blackburn Rovers..?
27/07/2012 @ 4:52 pm
“…. owned by an Indonesian and a India family trying to survive in the Premier League since last season.”.. I’m sure that’ a joke as hell… if not, you sure didn’t do your homework…
27/07/2012 @ 3:27 pm
Ji-sung Park is one of the most well-known sports stars in Korea
About the Park’s brave decision, many fans of him support Park.
Personally, Im the same as guys standing by him
Finanlly we can see park’s aggressive move as a winger
Utterally insane!
Crazy!
Kimchi RICE!
27/07/2012 @ 3:25 pm
Thanks for your report Jin-Hyoung. I am a QPR fan who grew up in Shepherd’s Bush where the QPR stadium is located. My first QPR game was in 1979.
I am also a big fan of Korean drama and movies since seeing Take Care of my Cat (고양이를 부탁해) ten years ago.
Some of the reaction to Park Ji-Sung in Korea is strange for us, because football fans in England don’t believe that you can suddenly change your football team. We always follow the same team, even if our favourite player leaves the team.
Another strange thing, is when Park signed, it was like a showbiz event, with Korean air hostesses behind Park. We don’t normally have air hostesses when a player signs!
One thing I have been wondering…does anyone know why Park Ji-Sung played so few games for Manchester United in the last few years (only 17 League games last year)?
Anyway, every Korean fan is very welcome at Loftus Road (although there is not much room because the stadium is small).
27/07/2012 @ 1:57 pm
Seoulman//Well Korean people really seem to think in the way as described above. when you visit ‘아이러브사커’ the biggest Korean football fans forum, you will see many considering QPR as their top club.
27/07/2012 @ 1:25 pm
This is very pleasing! thanks, u R’ssssss!
27/07/2012 @ 11:27 am
A more unbiased view from the ground here in South Korea is that Koreans are now better understanding the nature of English Football clubs and that QPR is a second-tier, underdog club in England owned by an Indonesian and a India family trying to survive in the Premier League since last season.
Most Koreans are still baffled on why Park would choose QPR? Koreans are also realizing that perhaps a wealthy Korean should purchase an English club and reap the upside of marketing Asia’s most famous football stars instead.