[Sportschosun Jeong An-ji] Lee Dong-gook, a former South Korea national football team striker, drew laughs by seeming more concerned about a FIFA World Cup match than his eldest daughter Jae-si’s college graduation.
On the 19th, Lee Soo-jin, Lee Dong-gook’s wife, shared a family group chat on her social media account, along with the caption, "Our family is about to miss our eldest daughter’s graduation because of the World Cup."
In the conversation, Jae-si said, "I’m receiving a top honors degree for outstanding academic performance," and added, "Are you still not coming to the graduation ceremony?"
Her younger sister Sua then asked, "When is it?" Lee Dong-gook replied, "South Korea is playing Mexico at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Don’t they watch soccer?" His answer sparked laughter.
Coincidentally, at the same time as Jae-si’s graduation ceremony, the South Korea national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, is set to play Mexico in its second group-stage match. For Lee Dong-gook, who once starred as a national team striker, it was apparently not a game he could easily ignore.
Amused by the family’s reaction, Jae-si stressed again, "The rehearsal is at that time, and the actual graduation ceremony is at 11:30." She added, "I’m telling you, I’m receiving a top honors degree."
Lee Dong-gook then asked, "Wait, aren’t you going back to school? Do they show soccer there?" His question caused another round of laughter. Their mother also chimed in, saying, "The World Cup is on."
Jae-si had announced not just a graduation, but a top honors degree. Still, her family’s attention was completely fixed on the World Cup match, creating a bittersweetly funny scene.
Earlier, Jae-si drew attention after being accepted in 2024 to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan, New York. FIT is a fashion-focused college under the State University of New York (SUNY). Founded in 1944, it is recognized as one of the world’s top five fashion schools in the fields of design, fashion, art, communication, and business. Global designers such as Calvin Klein and Michael Kors are also alumni.
Meanwhile, Lee Dong-gook married former Miss Korea Lee Soo-jin in 2005, and they have four daughters and one son. The family has been beloved by viewers through KBS2 variety show "The Return of Superman (Superman Is Back)."
anjee85@sportschosun.com
