[Sportschosun Kim So-hee reporter] An awkward atmosphere is being detected between Ahn Jung-hwan and Ki Sung-yueng.
In episode 9 of TikTok original content "Tiki Tiki Takataka Talk Talk Show" (hereinafter "Tiki-Taka Show"), which airs today (the 22nd), Ki Sung-yueng, Hong Jin-ho, Pyo Chang-won, and Kwon Il-yong will engage in an entertaining back-and-forth talk on the theme of "an introduction to the psychology of soccer."
On the show, DinDin points out that Ahn Jung-hwan, who has always treated younger players comfortably, acts differently toward Ki Sung-yueng, and he picks up on the subtle tension between the two. In particular, Ki Sung-yueng explains a past incident in which he was misunderstood as having turned down an interview with senior Ahn Jung-hwan, who had traveled all the way to Europe to meet him. He then opens by saying, "I got a lot of criticism," stirring the studio from the start.
Later, while discussing penalty shootouts, often called the ultimate battle of psychological warfare in soccer, Ahn Jung-hwan makes everyone laugh by sharply sensing Ki Sung-yueng's hero complex. Ahead of the penalty shootout in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Ki Sung-yueng volunteered to take the pressure-filled fifth and final kick. When the opposing team's last kicker missed in a 4-4 shootout, Ki Sung-yueng reportedly impressed everyone by showing his competitive edge, saying, "I thought the game was over. Because I was confident."
Ki Sung-yueng also sends a message of support to the South Korea national team players ahead of their third group-stage match against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday the 25th. He says, "When players go to a major tournament, they worry about being criticized. But after it is over, there are still regrets left behind." He adds, "I hope they do not worry about criticism and instead enjoy it as a festival that comes once every four years, while experiencing a precious time that will never come back."
Meanwhile, Ahn Jung-hwan recalls an episode from a counterattack situation in a soccer match, when a player took advantage of the referee looking toward the opposing half and landed a punch on him. He says, "No one saw it! I thought I was going crazy." He then brings up a junior player who had taunted him by saying, "Ahn Jung-hwan is supposed to be good, but he is not that great, is he?" Ki Sung-yueng agrees, saying, "The players who torment you with words are the most infuriating!" Their vivid account of the fierce psychological battles on the pitch leaves everyone stunned.
The episode also explores the psychology of soccer fans who identify themselves with their teams. When the warm reception that locals gave Koreans during Kim Min-jae's Napoli title win is mentioned, Ahn Jung-hwan jokes, recalling his goal against Italy at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, "I set a bad precedent, so Kim Min-jae is getting that kind of treatment."
Hong Jin-ho also surprises the cast by revealing an episode from his days as a professional gamer, when he was once forced to shave his head, as well as the fact that he now works as a poker player and has earned more than 1 billion won in prize money in a single year.
The TikTok original content "Tiki Tiki Takataka Talk Talk Show," featuring Ki Sung-yueng, Hong Jin-ho, Pyo Chang-won, and Kwon Il-yong, can be watched today (the 22nd) at 8 p.m. on the official TikTok Korea account and on Ahn Jung-hwan's TikTok account, "Ahn Jung-hwan 19."
Kim So-hee, Sportschosun reporter yaqqol@sportschosun.com
