The confrontation between South Korea and Uruguay in Qatar 2022 had a single protagonist for K-pop and K-drama fans: Cho Gue Sung. After the match held on November 24, in the group stage of the World Cup, Korea's number 9 went viral on social media for its impact on K-biz fans., as the entertainment industry is known in his native country.
Examples of the young athlete's reach are the millions of views he is accumulating on Twitter with a video focused on his face, as well as his exponential increase in followers on Instagram.
The Latin American crowd favorite brought a few minutes of joy to the Korean team, which had started its match against Ghana 0-2 down. Cho Gue Sung He equalized with a double in the second half of the match.
Cho Gue Sung celebrates scoring a brace in the South Korea vs. Ghana match. Photo: AFP
The final score was 3-2 in favor of Ghana. However, Cho holds the third spot for the fastest doubles in World Cups. According to the popular MisterChip, the number 9 scored both goals in 2 minutes and 47 seconds.
The second goal was also a header into the Ghanaian goal. This is the first time a Korean player has scored multiple times in a World Cup match.
After the Uruguay match, Korean reporters asked Cho what he thought about his sudden rise in global popularity. The athlete replied, "That (the number of followers) isn't important. I have to focus on the game and show it in the stadium."
Cho Gue Sung He was born on January 25, 1998, in Ansan, a city in Gyeonggi Province. According to Naver, his height is 188 cm.
He was signed by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for the first time in 2020. After moving to Gimcheon Sangmu in 2021, he returned to the Jeonbuk club in September of this year.
He currently plays as a center forward for the South Korean national team. His debut for the Reds came on August 7, 2021, in the Asian World Cup Qualifier against Lebanon.
Cho Gue Sung wears the number 9 for the Korean national team. Photo: Naver
At 24 years of international age, Gue Sung has scored six goals in 17 international matches for his country. His total matches include the 2022 FIFA World Cup clash between South Korea and Uruguay. which ended with a score of zero for both teams, and the crossing between Ghana and Korea.
Another fact worth considering is that Cho Gue Sung also scored three goals in three matches for the Korean U-23 team. He also played one match for the U-22 team. This year, 2022, marks his fourth year as a professional player.
Cho Gue Sung playing for Korea in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Photo: AFC
Cho Gue Sung's market value is €1.40 million, according to Transfermarkt. This figure makes him the eleventh most valuable Korean player.
On the market value of Cho Gue Sung, Korea's No. 9. Photo: transfermarkt screenshot
After his participation in the World Cup, with two goals scored, it wouldn't be surprising if foreign clubs considered recruiting him to their ranks.
The athlete's social media following has grown significantly. After the match against Uruguay, Cho gained more than half a million new followers on his profile. @whrbtjd. As of November 6, the figure has risen to 2.5M.
Cho Gue Sung reached 2 million followers on Instagram. Photo: screenshot/@whrbtjd
Among his achievements, Cho Gue Sung has a 2022 K League Golden Boot Award. A photo of him posing with his award was shared by the athlete on Instagram on October 24.
Cho Gue Sung was honored at the 2022 K League Awards. Photo: Instagram
Users who noticed the foreign public's interest in the number 9 player have compiled videos of his appearances in the Korean league.
1stLook magazine also reported on the frenzy Cho has caused following his appearance at the World Cup. “Cho Gue Sung, who entered the game in the second half, became a trending topic with his warm appearance,” the post read.
South Korean player #9 goes viral after appearing at Qatar 2022. Photo: screenshot/1stLook
Following his popularity on Twitter and Instagram, Cho has become the new star of his football club. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC's account features him in several TikTok videos.
On Friday, December 2, the Korean national team, with Cho Gue Sung in the starting lineup, won the match against Portugal. With a 2-1 scoreline, and following the result of the match between Uruguay and Ghana, it was confirmed that the Reds qualified for the next stage of the tournament.
Cho Gue Sun and Son Heung Min. Photo: KFA
South Korea: Fans cheer on the national team at Qatar 2022. Photo: AFP
A unique anecdote that left the date It was the interaction between Koreans and LatinosKorean fans who were enchanted by the Uruguayan coach shared Cho Gue Sung's IG with Latin American fans in exchange for coach Diego Alonso's account. Jokingly, users called the moment a "cultural exchange."
Cho Gue Sung and Diego Alonso have been gaining thousands of fans after the Korea-Uruguay match in Qatar 2022. Photo: LR/FIFA composite
Minutes before appearing at the Qatar 2022 opening ceremony, Jungkook posed with his team. The BTS star stood out alongside Cho Gue Sung, captain Son Heung Min, and other members of the Reds. According to the golden maknae, he had been more nervous about this reunion than about his performance.
Jungkook with his native South Korea's national team. Photo: Instagram
The recording of their match is stored on the Korean national team's YouTube channel. Jungkook received an official jersey as a gift, which he wore upon his return to South Korea after his performance at the opening match of Qatar 2022.
Footballer Cho was linked to the model Ji Min Joo on December 1st, after Internet users will notice activity on Instagram. In this regard, the young woman's agency claimed at one point that they couldn't provide an answer because it was a personal matter for their client. They later denied the dating rumors.
Cho Gue Sung: The football player became a celebrity after Qatar 2022. Photo: Naver/LSAC/Instagram
Hours later, on the 2nd, Cho was also linked to Haram's older sister, a member of the K-pop group Billie. The idol's management company was contacted about the matter, but declined to comment because the matter didn't involve a member, but rather a family member.
Haram is a member of Billie, a rookie K-pop group. Photo: Mystic
What was it like during Korea's first match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar? On a variety show, LOVELYZ singer Mijoo joined the athlete's thousands of international fans.
South Korea decided to continue its bid for Qatar 2022 against Portugal. The match between the two teams will be on Friday, December 2, starting at 10:00 a.m. Peruvian time..
Portugal will face Uruguay, and Ghana will seek its first victory against South Korea. Photo: composite/La República
South Korea confirmed its 26-man squad on November 12. Here's the full list of players who will be part of its national team for Qatar 2022:
Son Heung Min is the captain of South Korea. Photo: AFP
The Korean national team's next match will be against Brazil in the round of 16. The match is scheduled for Monday, December 5, at 2 p.m. Peruvian time.
Brazil will seek to lift the World Cup after 20 years. Photo: LR/AFP composite
The Qatar 2022 round of 16 match will be broadcast live on DirecTV. Latina will not broadcast the South Korea vs. Brazil match live.
Cho Gue Sung, the number 9, will be in the starting eleven.
South Korea's lineup for the match against Brazil. Photo: KFA
Korea failed to overcome Brazil in the round of 16. Trailing 4-1, Cho's team bowed out of the World Cup on December 5. Paik Seungho scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute.
South Korean coach Paulo Bento ended his time in the Asian country after losing to Brazil in the round of 16. Photo: EPA/Rungroj Yongrit
The Koreans bid farewell to the World Cup with their heads held high against Brazil thanks to Paik Seung Ho's strike. His goal is considered by many to be one of the best goals to come out of Qatar 2022.
This exchange between Ronaldo and Cho Gue Sung during the Korea vs. Portugal match also caught the attention. According to reports, Ronaldo told Cristiano Ronaldo in Portuguese to hurry up and leave the field after the latter had walked at a pace when he was called to the bench during a substitution by his manager. The former Manchester United star responded to the popular Korean player with a gesture that was considered rude. He later spoke to the press about the moment.
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