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"Winning tastes sweet, but sweeter still to triumph and tease. To dare reprisal."
This is How You Lose the Time War - Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
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The Morning Call: Sports
KIM, PARK IN A BATTLE OF CONTRASTS
A showcase of one of football’s best rivalry
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS / February 6, 2022, 08:58 AM KST
Kim Hongjoong and Park Seonghwa are polar opposites. Hongjoong shies away from the spotlight, but Seonghwa appears to be born for it—seeks it even.
Seonghwa is the star Defenseman and Captain of football giants Real Seoul, known for their big money signings, star-studded line-up, and uncontrollable egos in the dressing room that give most managers a run for their money.
Real Seoul is all about winning trophies, titles, and more trophies.
F.C. Athletic Seoul’s ideology couldn’t be any more different. They’re the under-dogs. A humble club that bears the hopes and expectations of the working class. They promote players up from their youth academy—to the first team—rather than spending millions in the transfer market.
The biggest thorn in their side: they've never won a match against city rivals, Real Seoul. Their only hope lies in their young, rising star; Kim Hongjoong. Affectionately coming to be known as ‘The Kid’, Hongjoong is the youngest captain in the history of the club; who, despite being reluctant to accept the mantle, bears the responsibility with great diligence and humility.
Kim Hongjoong and Park Seonghwa are the living embodiments of their respective clubs values, and it’s safe to say they hate everything the other stands for.
PARK SEONGHWA, KIM HONGJOONG, REAL SEOUL, ATHLETIC SEOUL, SPORTS
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A RIVALRY IN THE MAKING
Kim Hongjoong and Park Seonghwa continue to clash
By Football Times (@FootieTimes)—February 07, 2022 / 5:46 PM KST
The League didn’t object to any of it, because it fueled the kind of rivalry sure to heighten fan interest as the League tries to rebuild itself.
“It’s only two games in,” Kim Hongjoong said before last night’s game, “but it seems like there’s something there.”
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL
WHAT ATHLETIC LEARNED AFTER EACH DEFEAT TO REAL SEOUL
Hard lessons have been handed out the past three years.
By Jeremy Beren / @JBBeren / March 19, 2022, 12:04 am CEST
In less than 48 hours, Athletic Seoul and Real Seoul will meet again—this time for a league match-up.
Despite the shortcomings of 2019, 2020, and 2021, Athletic took something from each of these defeats and have continued to grow and compete with Asia’s best. It’s all led to this: another showdown with their tormentors, the reigning Asian and World Champions—Real Seoul.
Let’s hop in the time machine and look back at all the previous match-ups.
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HOME > FEATURES
‘THE KID’ MAKES FRANCHISE HISTORY, YET AGAIN: YOUNGEST PLAYER TO BE NAMED CAPTAIN
March 20, 2022
By Mike Carter
Perhaps to the surprise of none, Kim Hongjoong (nick-named: The Kid) was given the honor of wearing the captain’s armband by F.C. Athletic Seoul this Wednesday, making headlines everywhere; a feat that is quite common when it comes to the young South Korean. After climbing up the ranks at Athletic Seoul, he became the club's youngest ever player to start in May 2019 and has now been installed as their youngest ever captain at the age of 21. An incredibly young age for someone to handle the responsibility of an entire football club.
Despite concerns being raised regarding Kim’s eligibility to become captain when there are more experienced players available in the roster, the decision made by the club was one we all saw coming.
Since making his debut in the first team, the promising prodigy has emphatically announced himself on the scene, seemingly destined for stardom. He saw a meteoric rise in fame after his match-winning brace against league contenders, F.C. Daegu; and has continued to impress everyone since then, scoring a remarkable amount of goals while dealing with the meanest teams in the division. An undeniable fan-favorite, he has quickly become a talismanic figure in a period of mediocrity for the club.
It’s no surprise that Kim is in such high demand. He’s the hottest young striker in Asia. With pace, power, good-looks, and a keen eye for scoring goals; The Kid has it all. Well...apart from a win against bitter rivals—Real Seoul. Or is that too cruel of us to mention?
No need to fret. Captain Kim Hongjoong (we definitely like the ring of that) will get another chance to prove to everyone that he can really have it all with a game against Real Seoul coming up in just over 24 hours.
If you like what you’ve just read, subscribe for more content.
KIM HONGJOONG, ATHLETIC SEOUL
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Do the Math: It’s a Big Game
Park and The Whites. Kim and The Mattress-makers. The Battle of Seoul. What’s not to love?
By Seoul Gazette (@SeoulGazette)—March 21, 2022
With a game like this, an occasion like tonight, the Seoul World Cup Stadium will certainly be packed to capacity as football giants Real Seoul get ready to face their cross-city rivals, Athletic Seoul, in just a few hours. There’s certainly no love lost between both teams, and according to Athletic Midfielder, Kim Junkyu, it’s going to be a bloodbath. Amazingly enough, he said that with a grin…[continue reading]
The Seoul Gazette☑️ @SeoulGazette • 2h
It’s Derby Day in Seoul! Athletic Seoul vs. Real Seoul. It doesn’t get any better than this in terms of rivalry: two of the most informed teams in the game over the last few years. Who are you rooting for?
💬 678 🔁4k ♥️7k
Wes Crosby @OtherNHLCrosby • 30m
The existence of Real Seoul implies the existence of a fake, sinister Seoul
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View replies (4)
Nina 💪 it’s derby day @joongshairband • 25m
Replying to @OtherNHLCrosby
It’s called Athletic Seoul
💬 🔁6 ♥️9
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A collective thunderous roar, accompanied by the stomping of thousands of feet, shakes the very core of the tunnel the players are waiting in. It seems to match the pounding of Hongjoong’s own heart, which marches to the intensity of the rumble.
Straight-backed with his chin-up and gaze fixed ahead, Hongjoong tries to ignore the opposing team lining up beside his own. It’s a hard feat to accomplish when the mere presence of that team commands respect and attention, no matter how much he loathes to admit the thought.
There are a lot of adjectives that can be used to describe the players of Real Seoul, but prideful is the one that suits them most. It’s apparent in the way they stand—tall, broad-shouldered, and imposing. They’re a wall of immaculate white, bearing a crown on their club emblem. Real Seoul. Royal Seoul. It’s befitting, given how they consider themselves to be the royalty of the footballing world. Not that it’s easy to dispute when they carry the highest number of titles and trophies.
But whatever, he’s here to earn the same and more for Athletic. His club.
Just before they’re meant to exit the tunnel, using both hands, Hongjoong combs his fingers through the loose strands above both his ears, tucking them in place. Then he adjusts the thin black band that’s keeping the hair off his forehead. He does it more out of habit than it being out of place. Tinkering with the band has become a ritual of sorts for him at this point.
He rolls his shoulders and works out the kink in his neck, and then shakes off the jitters. He follows after the referees as they step out, comforted by the dependable presence of his team behind him yet hyper-aware of the formidable poise of the opposition beside him.
As soon as Hongjoong steps out of the tunnel into the proverbial light, the noise seems to explode into a deafening cacophony of screams, shouts, whistles, and blow horns as the sight of the players reinvigorates the fans’ frenzy.
Damn. Hongjoong winces. He can barely hear himself think.
An assortment of flags, scarfs, and banners occupies most of his vision; majority of them bear the royal emblem of Real Seoul, blending together to form an impenetrable sea of white.
He resists the urge to scoff.
Every time he plays against Real Seoul, he can’t help but think about how much he abhors their fans. A reflection of their players, the fans seem to think they’re royalty as well. Entitled to a fault and bearing the label of plastic, most of them whistle at their own players for even the slightest mishap. A curse of winning so much. Anything less than perfection is unacceptable.
What a joke.
He’d rather have less-yet-dedicated fans than ones that are massive in number but seemingly superficial in nature. He’d pick the fewer fans of Athletic every time. The red-and-whites. Loyal to the bone, they sing their hearts out with words of encouragement even when their team is losing. He’s proud to be their player.
He faces the section where the fans of Athletic have clumped together. They stick out like a sore thumb, a tiny red-and-white cluster in a vast of white. He raises both arms high-up in acknowledgement and it’s received with an enthusiastic uproar that manages to pierce through the racket of the opposing fans. It makes him smile.
It’s quick to fall off his face when he notices who’s approaching him.
“Done soaking in your five seconds of fame, Kim? The refs are waiting,” Park Seonghwa says, sauntering over like he has all the time in the world. The hypocrite.
Hongjoong takes a deep breath. Don’t let him get under your skin. Don’t let him get under your skin. The cameras are on you. This is airing live on national television.
He smiles, all-teeth and saccharine, a show for the cameras. “If you had fans that actually liked you, you’d want to take a minute with them too, Park.” He practically spits out the name.
“I have plenty, don’t you worry your little blond head about that.” And just to prove a petty point, Seonghwa raises a single hand in half-assed acknowledgement and the damned ground beneath them reverberates as the whole stadium seems to lose their shit over the simple gesture. And to add fuel to Hongjoong’s distaste, Seonghwa bows his head in faux humility, like he’s actually humbled by the response. As if. Park’s ego is as big as his head.
What’s even more annoying about Park Seonghwa is that no matter how much Hongjoong despises his guts, it’s still hard not to be star-struck by the guy.
Seonghwa carries himself with all the grandeur of a certified superstar and it’s frustrating that he has the bona fides to back it up.
A marquee player in a club full of prodigies, Park Seonghwa at the mere age of twenty-three has achieved in a few years what most players can only hope to achieve in the duration of their entire careers. He’s appeared in all the grand stages, has won almost everything at both the club and individual level. And to add to all that, he captains both Real Seoul and the South Korean National Team.
Everywhere he goes, he’s treated with an air of reverence. Hongjoong’s hard-pressed to admit that he wasn’t immune to the allure either. He spent his first few games against Real Seoul unable to take his eyes off Seonghwa, unable to believe he was actually on the same field as the captain of the biggest team on the continent.
The novelty was quick to wear off when Hongjoong went one-on-one against him firsthand and Seonghwa opened his fucking mouth.
“Whatever, let’s get to it,” Hongjoong says, choosing to walk away from a battle he knows he isn’t going to win. He begins to make his way to the referees for the coin toss.
He’s irked when Seonghwa walks in step beside him, matching his stride.
“Captain, huh?” Seonghwa remarks with a grin, eyeing the fresh armband adorning Hongjoong’s bicep. “Won’t change much. Well...apart from you being responsible for the post-game interviews after you lose to me every single game.”
Hongjoong hates that Seonghwa says it so casually but the blow still lands where it hurts most because the stats speak in Seonghwa’s favor, that Athletic have never managed to win a single game against Real in the entirety of the club’s existence, and they both know it—have both played the games that have added to those stats.
But Hongjoong’s going to change all of that today. He’s going to make sure Athletic win even if the odds aren’t in his favor.
Not wanting to give Seonghwa the satisfaction of a response, Hongjoong just picks up the pace and pulls ahead. Hopefully, the audience will take it as Hongjoong being in a hurry and not him running away from Park fucking Seonghwa with his tail between his legs. Seonghwa just chuckles at the snub, having had his fun. The prick.
They’ll just have to wait and see who gets the last laugh.
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Hongjoong loses the coin toss, which is just freaking great.
Seonghwa appears to be savoring the smallest of victories. It’s not surprising that even luck is a competition to him.
Whatever.
Like the good sports they are, they follow what’s required of them and shake hands after. Fair play and all that. Seonghwa’s grip is steady and firm, unwavering like his composure. How annoying.
What’s even more annoying is how his hand almost encompasses Hongjoong’s own. It’s an observation that doesn’t escape Seonghwa’s notice either, given how he glances down and then meets Hongjoong’s gaze with an amused look.
Ears a little red, Hongjoong refuses to look away. At least Seonghwa keeps his mouth shut this time.
After picking the end of the pitch he wants his team to play in, Seonghwa thanks the Referees and begins to walk away, not even sparing Hongjoong a glance.
Way to make a guy feel like he’s not worth acknowledging.
The treatment is ice cold. Guess the goading is over now that the match is about to start. It’s time to get serious. Hongjoong gets it, prefers it even.
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[Commentator One] Hello everyone again, this is Kim Sunggyu with Park Dae-jung and Choi Hyunsuk, and welcome to wonderful Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium!
The story tonight is the Athletics are still alive for a spot in the Champions League. The reason for that is the outstanding play of young Kim Hongjoong. And we’ll talk about that, too—
[Commentator two] Meanwhile, Real Seoul continue to roll; they know they’re in the Champions League. And they’re looking for a second, consecutive Champions League title.
[Commentator One] Look Dae-jung, here’s the deal. If Athletic win tonight and the next week…
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val @itssroyalseoul • 1m
Oh looks like park seonghwa is going to keep kim hongjoong in check during the first half…this is going to be interesting…
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alex 💘 @joshfielder • 3m
OMGG! Its starting!!!!
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Ballon d'Or 4 Park @park4seonghwa • 3m
this is so fucking annoying my stream isnt working. what link r u guys using
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silly little ballers @ballin • 5m
lets secure those 3 pts boysss
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💫 @chaipapi • 7m
Can’t believe i’m being forced to watch the derby bcus the whole fam is watching 🙄🙄 hope both teams have fun or whatever
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Real Seoul Stats @RealSeoulStats • 7m
We’re just 1 pt behind Daegu; if we win this, the league title is ours! Let’s go, Real!!!
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Nina 💪 it’s derby day @joongshairband • 15m
If we lose to that ffucking team 1 more time is2g 😤
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silly little ballers @ballin • 20m
Wait :C minho isn’t starting wtf
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It’s The Kid @athleticsnumber9 • 20m
the cams caught hongjoong & seonghwa talking before the coin toss. wonder whut they were talking about hmm
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Jolie 🐰🤍 @caphwa • 23m
hwa is so sweet, he went to wish the opposing captain a good game before the start of the match. i love him so much
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wake up, kid @sidneythekidney • 30m
Wait??? R hongjoong & seonghwa friends?? They were seen talking b4 the match 😯
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View replies (3)
Nina 💪 it’s derby day @joongshairband • 25m
Replying to @sidneythekidney
no, i think seonghwa just went to get joong for the coin toss
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alex 💘 @joshfielder • 27m
Replying to @sidneythekidney
I knew they were friends!
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silly little ballers @ballin • 29m
Replying to @sidneythekidney
Omg, what? really???!
💬1 🔁 ♥️
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[Commentator One] —And we kick off!
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The game starts off with multiple unsuccessful attempts at scoring from both sides as each team struggles to be the one to gain momentum from the very beginning.
A decent opportunity arises for Athletic when Real Seoul’s Choi Jongin’s attempt at goal is blocked by Athletic’s Junkyu. The ball ricochets off of Junkyu into the path of Hongjoong. Hongjoong is ready to make a break away with it, but he’s flanked on both sides by Real’s main defensive duo—Seonghwa and Junghoon. They wrestle the ball away from him, tripping him in the process. He goes down with a grunt.
The crowd roars, but the reactions are mixed. Athletic fans protest at what they consider a blatant foul on Hongjoong while Real fans cheer Seonghwa and Junghoon on for shutting down the play. Hongjoong even receives several whistles and jeers from Real fans for ‘diving’.
“You look good on your knees, Kim,” Seonghwa says, offering Hongjoong a hand.
“Fuck off,” Hongjoong replies, but accepts it.
Play is waved on by the referee.
[Commentator One] Monster shift from the two Parks. That’s the way to get into it, to get the crowd rolling—with a risky yet clean interception on Kim Hongjoong’s play.
[Commentator Two] You got that right, Sunggyu. It was nice of Park Seonghwa to give Kim a bit of a hand there after. No hard feelings.
The next time Hongjoong makes a run for the ball, Seonghwa is there again. Seonghwa chases him down and kicks the ball away before Hongjoong can get to it.
Fuck.
[Commentator Two] And Park puts it to touch with a tremendous battle between those two. What a run.
[Commentator One] Park Seonghwa is one of those players…uh…you’d love to get into battle with…He’s such a strong player…
Hongjoong clicks his tongue. It’s going to be a challenge to get Seonghwa off his tail.
Hongjoong’s got to hand it to him for his dedication. A consequence of being constantly on the move, Seonghwa’s sweating enough that his jersey is on its way to clinging onto him like a second skin. He’s panting and red with exertion, but his eyes never stray away from the ongoing play, continuously tracking the ball and his mark—Hongjoong. Hyper Focused on his task.
Hongjoong can’t help but think he’s a monster.
Seonghwa continues to be a thorn in Hongjoong’s side throughout the game, keeping him in check so thoroughly that Hongjoong barely has any room to breathe let alone get the ball rolling. As a defender, Seonghwa is known to be notoriously difficult to shake-off.
An even greater nuisance is his tendency to pull small fouls on Hongjoong that are cleverly inconspicuous enough to go unnoticed by the referee.
They’re starting to get Hongjoong’s blood boiling as his patience runs out and the frustration grows.
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[Commentator One] Park having his own unique approach to establish his ‘relationship’ with Kim, fierce rivals and possibly soon-to-be teammates on the national team.
It’s Athletic’s corner, and they’re all crowded in the box. As Jisoo’s about to take the corner kick, Seonghwa refrains Hongjoong with an arm around his waist; he crowds into him, pressing his body up against Hongjoong’s back to hinder his movement.
It manages to piss Hongjoong off.
He elbows Seonghwa. And when that doesn’t work, he forcibly pulls himself away. He turns around and shoves at Seonghwa’s chest.
“Like to get handsy, eh, Park,” he snaps. “Save it for after a few drinks.”
Seonghwa scoffs. “You wish.”
[Commentator Two] Kim Hongjoong, by the look on his face, had a couple of words with Park. Not too impressed.
The squabble earns them a stoppage of play and a slap on the wrist from the referee. Thankfully, the referee isn’t card-happy or they both would have been booked.
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Sweat drips down Hongjoong’s forehead. He runs his fingers through his hair in frustration and then re-adjusts the hairband. He feels all riled-up. He needs something to go in Athletic’s favor for once. It’s just been one futile play after another. The only consolation is that Real hasn’t managed to do much either, apart from a few close-calls in the penalty box. The score is still nil-nil.
Thankfully, Jisoo rises to the occasion soon after. He capitalizes on a mistake by Real’s Defenseman, Junghoon, and manages to make a break-away towards Real’s goal. He’s light on his feet so he leaves the Real players in the dust.
As Hongjoong runs after Jisoo—to give him support if the need arises—he realizes that Seonghwa’s distracted; his attention is on keeping track of the ball, so he’s gotten careless about keeping an eye on Hongjoong. A rare slip up by the otherwise hawk-eyed Defender.
Hongjoong grins. He probably won’t get another opportune moment like this one, but that’s okay, all he needs is the one.
He makes sure to stay behind Seonghwa’s back to give him the false impression that he’s still successfully blocking him.
Jisoo slows down in the penalty box. He’s seconds away from being completely surrounded by Real players, but he’s quick-witted about considering all his options. He spots Hongjoong lurking behind Seonghwa, open with the perfect positioning, and seizes the opportunity to slip the ball to him.
The Real players were expecting Jisoo to take the shot at goal himself, so they’re caught off guard when the ball cuts behind Seonghwa and lands at Hongjoong’s feet.
Hongjoong doesn’t waste a second. He volleys it towards the net without much thought, it’s all instinctual at this point.
Luckily, the ball rockets past the goal line, so fast that the Real goalie doesn’t have time to react.
There's a split second pause, and then Hongjoong shouts in euphoria and the Athletic fans rejoice with him with a bellow.
[Commentator Two] 1-nil to Athletic!
The fans jump up-and-down in the stands, raising their arms, flags, banners, whatever they can high in the air with pride. Then they breakout into Athletic’s celebratory song.
[Commentator One] Kim Hongjoong scores the goal. Athletic get ahead. What a moment for The Kid!
[Commentator Two] If anyone can do this, it’s Athletic Seoul with this man on the ball.
The Real fans stand stunned, silenced by the unexpected turn of events. It’s a huge blow when they were expecting an easy three points.
Grinning wide, Hongjoong opens his arms as his teammates bound over to him like overexcited puppies.
“Way to show it to them!” Junkyu hoots, and Hongjoong laughs, delighted.
Junkyu tackles Hongjoong into a hug.
Comments like “Woo! Way to go, ‘joong!” and “Jisoo, that was one crazy break away” are thrown around as they all crowd together for a group hug with Hongjoong and Jisoo squished in the middle.
When they break apart, Hongjoong thanks Jisoo for the assist. He ruffles Jisoo’s hair, who giggles and swats away at his hands. Hongjoong laughs and pulls him into a side hug.
“Great work, ‘Soo.”
“Thanks, Cap,” Jisoo replies. They both grin at each other, feeling giddy like little schoolboys.
[Commentator One] It all started with Hong Jisoo stealing the ball from Park Junghoon. And what a start for Athletic.
Real Seoul’s Manager is utterly livid.
“What was that?! What was that?!” He shouts at his goalie. “I’ve seen coupons that save more than you. Get your act together!” He begins to pace in the technical area like a frenzied, caged animal.
“You all good-for-nothing yahoos better score or it’s your asses on the line,” he shouts at the rest of his players.
Hands on hips and head tipped to the sky, Seonghwa closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
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Things just get more tense after that.
Both teams have something on the line—Athletic, their Champions League qualification and Real with their Domestic League title. As the clock ticks away, Real Seoul become more desperate to even the score, and with that urgency, they start to get a little careless with the fouls.
Hongjoong finds himself the recipient of most of them. Not that he’s surprised.
He’s jumping to receive a long ball from his goalie when he gets shoved from the back. He tumbles to the floor. The play is stopped, but the Referee doesn’t book the offending Real player, concluding the incident as an accident. No matter how many times it’s happened, it still shocks him that the ignorant fool of a Referee has managed to miss yet another foul on him. Maybe the conspiracy that Real Seoul is bribing the Referees isn’t so far-fetched.
It pisses him off even more when Seonghwa offers him his hand again but doesn’t apologize.
“How about instead of offering me a hand like the Samaritan you aren’t, why don't you stop tripping me every damn time,” he snaps, getting up by himself. He dusts off his knees and pulls up his socks.
“It wasn’t me this time. I’m just helping you up,” Seonghwa says. He has his hands raised placatingly. “Plus, what would be the fun in that? I enjoy seeing you fall for me.”
Hongjoong grits his teeth. The audacity. “Real funny.”
“Yeah, it is.” Seonghwa says. He looks to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
Hongjoong eyes him suspiciously. “You look a little too happy for someone who’s losing, Park.”
Seonghwa appears unphased by the dig. He shrugs. “That’s because we aren’t going to lose.”
The sheer confidence in that statement has Hongjoong raising both eyebrows. “Oh, you’re so sure about that.”
“Yeah,” Seonghwa says. “Because they’ve got me on the team.”
Hongjoong closes his eyes. God help him. The arrogance of this man.
Thankfully, he’s saved from this painstaking conversation when the Referee calls the play back into action.
⨳
It’s the second half and things are looking good…until they aren’t.
Athletic’s Defenseman, Hyunwoo, makes a rash play and ends up tripping Seonghwa in the penalty box. He was aiming to intercept the ball but misjudged his timing, resulting in Real being awarded a penalty kick. The mistake is equivalent to handing Real a goal on a silver platter because they haven’t missed a single penalty in thirty games so far.
So, that’s how Hongjoong finds himself waiting with bated breath as Seonghwa goes up to take the penalty for Real.
Standing with his hands on his hips, Seonghwa teases Athletic’s goalkeeper. “Where do you want it?”
[Commentator One] Seems like Park Seonghwa is having a little fun with the goalkeeper.
The question flusters Sungjin a bit. He smiles sheepishly and then pokes his tongue out between his teeth, a nervous tic. Finally, he says, “You decide.”
“Okay,” Seonghwa replies simply.
The exchange makes Hongjoong nervous for Sungjin. He doesn’t know what Seonghwa is trying to pull. Real Seoul always have a trick up their sleeve.
The whistle blows and Sungjin braces himself as Seonghwa lightly jogs towards the ball. Seonghwa sets out to take the kick, and as soon as his cleat makes contact with the ball, Sungjin dives in the likeliest direction to make the block. But instead of taking a shot at goal, Seonghwa passes the ball to Choi Jongin beside him, who expertly slots the ball into the far corner of the net.
It’s a goal.
Thirty-one games without missing a single penalty. As expected of Real Seoul. Hongjoong feels like ripping his hair out of frustration. They’ve managed to lose their lead over a silly penalty.
[Commentator One] Goal! Goal! Goal! It’s One-One now with an equalizer from Choi Jongin!
[Commentator Two] Real Seoul certainly know how to take a penalty in style. Such a clever, little play from them.
The quick finish by Choi Jongin was absolutely phenomenal. He's a beast and he's living the life. You don't want to be facing him in the penalty box. What a sensation!
[Commentator One] Let’s talk about Park Seonghwa, the man with a plan…
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It’s a subdued atmosphere for Athletic after that. As Captain, Hongjoong tries his best to inspire confidence in his teammates. He consoles Sungjin for the goal and waves off Hyunwoo’s apology for the mistake, offering him uplifting words instead. Then he rallies all of them together with a pep talk.
It’s always a little hard to bounce back after blowing a lead when it could’ve been avoided.
When the team energy still seems a little down, Hongjoong decides to take matters into his own hands. It’s time to step up and recover the lead. But that’s easier said than done with Park Seonghwa breathing down his neck at all times.
⨳
Jisoo is able to get things rolling again. With seamless control of the ball, he makes a clever run and then passes the ball off to Junkyu, who attempts to go one-on-one against the Real Goalkeeper, but his shot is blocked.
Hongjoong manages to get possession of the ball on the rebound. Seonghwa crowds into him, leg stretched out to intercept. He trips Hongjoong. Again.
This script is starting to sound painfully similar.
[Commentator One] Rebound coming to Kim. And Park once again.
In a burst of frustration, Hongjoong grabs a hold of the ball and throws it away. He gets up on his knees and stares up at the Referee with his arms spread, demanding retribution.
[Commentator Two] Surely, the Referee has to have a word. That’s four or five fouls now from Park on the same player.
[Commentator One] I don’t know what it is about Kim Hongjoong that makes Park Seonghwa lose his head. He’s making too many silly fouls.
Finally—finally—the Referee reaches into his back pocket to pull out the yellow card. Seonghwa gets his name on the book and Athletic are awarded a free kick.
[Commentator One] And the Referee finally has. Park Seonghwa gets a yellow card.
[Commentator Two] I don’t think it’s that particular foul, it’s for the constant niggling fouls, almost all of them on Kim Hongjoong.
And despite the gesture of innocence. The sly laugh and shake of the head, Park knows he was in the wrong.
⨳
[Commentator One] Whether it’s dissent, time-wasting or a rash challenge, Park Seonghwa can do it all when it comes to the ‘Dark Arts’ as we’ll politely call it.
⨳
When Seonghwa trips him the next time, that's when Hongjoong really loses his cool.
He gets so fucking mad that he shoves Seonghwa and then gets up in his face, crowding in on him until they’re chest-to-chest. They, both, size each other up.
“You’re a fucking pain in my ass, Park,” He sneers.
Unfazed, Seonghwa holds his gaze. He seems amused more than anything. “C’mon, I didn’t go that hard on you, sweetheart.”
Oh, this bastard.
Hongjoong is one second away from decking the guy and getting ejected from the game, but thankfully (or maybe not), their teammates interfere before he can do something he might regret afterwards. At the moment though, any punishment seems worth it just to knock Park Seonghwa down a peg.
After he gets booked for his outburst, he realizes that this is what Seonghwa had been aiming for all along by getting him all riled up through petty fouls. And he fell for it like the idiot he is.
Great. Just freaking great.
⨳
There are only two minutes left on the clock.
It goes like this: Hongjoong makes a mistake, Jongin dives, and Seonghwa does what he’s prone to.
In an attempt to check Real’s prolific striker, Choi Jongin, Hongjoong gets a bit too enthusiastic and ends up making minimal contact with him.
Ever the dramatic opportunist, Jongin capitalizes on the contact and goes down like he’s been shot. He curls into a ball on the floor, clutching his ankle with one hand while raising the other to catch the Referee’s attention.
The Linesman raises his flag up to indicate a freekick. Fuck.
Real’s Yeonjun steps up to take it.
They all settle in their respective positions—Athletic players to mark the Real players and block any attempt at goal; Real, to score. The whistle blows, and Yeonjun curls the ball to the far post with scary accuracy. Athletic’s goalkeeper makes the mistake of going too far out, which gives Seonghwa an opening to head the ball home.
It’s all over from there.
[Commentator One] Park Seonghwa, the real protagonist of tonight, delivers a knockout blow with the game winning goal!
[Commentator Two] Park is in the form of his life, especially upfront this season, which is interesting for a Defenseman. But he’s proved it time-and-time again that he can do it all.
The stadium shakes with how hard the Real fans rejoice. Hongjoong’s forced to stand there and watch as Seonghwa celebrates by tugging on the shoulders of his jersey several times in succession, letting everyone know the name and number on the back. And ever playing the villainous role, he proceeds to run up to the Athletic Fans’ section where he holds out both hands in a ‘ten times’ gesture, indicating Real Seoul’s ten Champions League titles to Athletic’s none, just to provoke them. The Athletic fans jeer at him, but that doesn’t faze Seonghwa; he just brings a finger to his lips.
[Commentator One] Park Seonghwa’s telling the opposing fans, ‘Be quiet, I’m running this show now, baby!”
Hongjoong presses his lips together; he feels tears brim in his eyes and blinks them away. It’s his mistake that cost them the game. If only he hadn’t been that careless.
He was the one to comfort his teammates before, and now they come to him to cheer him up with hair ruffles and butt pats. But there's no consolation when you’ve lost a qualification to the Champions League. Furthermore, they've lost the three points as well, which will likely cost them their fifth place in the Domestic League.
⨳
[Commentator two] And the referee signals the end of a dramatic match.
⨳
Hongjoong finds himself face-to-face with Park Seonghwa again when the two teams line-up to shake hands post-game. He can feel the weight of thousands of pairs of eyes and several hundred cameras zeroed in on them, catching their interaction in every possible angle.
With his back rigid and chin tilted up almost defiantly, he meets Seonghwa’s gaze head-on and braces himself for the gloating that’s most likely coming his way. But Seonghwa surprises him by taking his proffered hand in a firm handshake and offering him a good-natured, “You—It was a good game. You were good.”
Caught off guard, Hongjoong barely manages to school his expression. He wasn’t expecting this; he’s at a loss for words. What’s even more flustering is that Seonghwa is still maintaining eye contact while looking at him with disconcerting intensity. He doesn’t know whether Seonghwa is aware of it or not, but his gaze is very intimidating, and it makes it impossible to articulate a thought when it’s solely trained on him.
Finally gathering his wits, he manages out: “Yeah…well, I wasn’t good enough”—he chuckles self-deprecatingly—”But Uh…Congrats on the win. You said you would.”
Seonghwa breaks out into a self-assured smile. (Hongjoong hates that he finds it comely.) “I’m a man of my word.”
It's at that moment that Hongjoong realizes that his hand is still in Seonghwa’s grasp, longer than what would be deemed necessary. So, he averts his eyes and clears his throat, trying to pull his hand out of Seonghwa’s without making it a big deal.
Later, he’ll try not to think about how Seonghwa hadn’t thought to let go first or how Seonghwa had given his hand a light squeeze before releasing his hold.
For now, he moves on ahead without another word.
[Commentator One] Face-to-face, the two stars of Seoul; and Park Seonghwa had the final say.
⨳
MARCH 21
PARK SEONGHWA WITH THE WINNING GOAL, REAL WITH THE WINNING HABIT
Comment by David P. - Seoul Echo
Athletic Seoul - your boys took one hell of a beating from Real Seoul…[Continue Reading]
MARCH, 2022
LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM: When Park Seonghwa wants to steal the spot-light, he surely knows how to do it on both sides of the pitch.
Published in Super Sports Mania
Park Seonghwa steals the show during the Real vs Athletic clash, and he does it with typical spectacular fashion that we’ve come to expect of him. Always the one for the dramatics, he scores a late, crucial header to win the game. [Read More]
21/03/2022
“I’M NOT ARROGANT; I’M GOOD.”
The Sun
They’ve come to love, or hate, a man whose attitude on and off the field can wind up opposing fans like no other, which just makes his supporters love him all the more. [Subscribe to read]
⨳
Nina 😪 don’t talk to me we lost @joongshairband • 15m
Park Seonghwa is considered a world class center-back for his face, tattoos, & goal scoring ability 🙄🙄
💬234 🔁349 ♥️120
it’s been a day 😪 @ucanbemywingman • 20m
“Did your football team win?” No…but they know kindness. They know friendship. They know love. They know how to see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wildflower. They know how to hold infinity in the palm of their hand, and eternity in a hour
💬14 🔁161 ♥️1K
Ballon d'Or 4 Park @park4seonghwa • 20m
It’s about time y’all realize we don’t play seonghwa to defend. It’s for them headersssss
pic.twitter.com/1uvlpCsN3B
💬6 🔁 ♥️8
D. Carigan @dermotC • 20m
Park Seonghwa is the pantomime villain—the guy we all love to hate, but admit it, you’d love him if he was on your team!
💬87 🔁 189 ♥️245
* @tjbrodie7 • 21m
when i die i want atheltic to lower me into my grave so they can let me down one last time
💬24 🔁 212 ♥️284
ney ney🤍 @neymarvelous • 23m
It’s Seonghwa with the header. In other news, water is wet
pic.twitter.com/LyWuvlpFX
💬 🔁 2 ♥️10
sid 🌼🐝 @sebhive • 25m
Athletic Seoul: they hate to see me win. Good thing I don’t.
💬 🔁 1 ♥️3
val @itssroyalseoul • 32m
Lol, seonghwa has really become synonymous with a yellow card. He gets one every game
💬 4 🔁1 ♥️7
Ballon d'Or 4 Park @park4seonghwa • 35m
the C on Seonghwa's jersey stands for Crimes
💬 1 🔁8 ♥️111
⨳
THE SUN
Football > K League 1
‘SON OF A B***H!’ Park Seonghwa and Kim Hongjoong reportedly traded insults during Real Seoul’s League 1 clash with Athletic.
The two young stars squared up at one point and decided to exchange some very choice words on the pitch.
Anthony Champion
17:24, 22/03/2022
PARK SEONGHWA and KIM HONGJOONG had an incredible on-field clash during last night’s League 1 battle between Real and Athletic Seoul, it has been claimed.
[Gettyimages: Picture of Park Seonghwa looking unfazed as a furious Kim Hongjoong gets up in his face.]
[Gettyimages: Picture of teammates in the midst of separating Park Seonghwa and Kim Hongjoong as the two butt heads.]
Kim even had a little shove before, it’s claimed, he said: “What’s your problem? Clown.”
This prompted Park to allegedly hit back: “Go home, idiot.”
However, according to South Korean media, Kim had the final word, responding: “Son of a b***h.”
After the loss, Athletic will now look to consolidate fifth place in K League 1 without a Champions League journey to look forward to.
Comments:
Anonymous: Uhh…I’m pretty sure that’s not what they said
Anonymous: Kim Hongjoong is a little bitch
Anonymous: The Sun takes reporting to a whole other level that they start writing fiction
Anonymous: Kim is such a cry baby. Park shouldve just knocked out his ass
Read More
⨳
For sports addicts☑️ @sportsaddicted • 35m
When Park S. was asked about the words exchanged with Kim H. during their clash, he said: “I can’t tell you. You guys would have too much fun with them.”
💬 139 🔁387 ♥️947
pat 🌞🌛 @blondejoong • 37m
Oh my God, guys, Hongjoong was literally standing on his tippy-toes to get eye level with Park Seonghwa 😭😭 i can’t
pic.twitter.com/1udlpBsN3C
💬 17 🔁33 ♥️167
View replies (17)
Nina 😪 we lost @joongshairband • 7m
Replying to @blondejoong
He’s just an angry tiny bean
💬 🔁2 ♥️8
luke @athletics • 12m
Replying to @blondejoong
Lmao yeah no wonder Park looked so amused, i can’t blame him
💬 🔁 ♥️10
alex 💘 @joshfielder • 15m
Replying to @blondejoong
pretty sure seonghwa thought he was adorable
💬3 🔁 ♥️6
it’s been a day 😪 @ucanbemywingman • 35m
they could’ve just kissed instead of doing all that
💬 2 🔁3 ♥️25
King Park @PARKGOATED • 45m
Kim Hongjoong needs to learn to pick a fight with someone his own size
💬 🔁6 ♥️3
For sports addicts☑️ @sportsaddicted • 50m
In all of Kim Hongjoong’s attempt to look imposing as he squared up against Real Seoul’s Park Seonghwa, all he managed was to resemble a furious kitten with its hackles raised to appear larger than it is. As captain, he needs to learn to control his emotions.
💬 12 🔁25 ♥️76
⨳
The curse of being the captain of a sports team is that the captain is the one required to give all the post-game interviews while the rest of the players get to rotate through media duty. The captain is the one answerable for any loss. It’s one of many thankless burdens that Hongjoong is now supposed to shoulder.
After the match, the press keep badgering Hongjoong. Their questions are so stupid, and he’s so tired and frustrated—and all he wants is to go take a damn shower—that his tongue gets a little loose during the post-game interview.
⨳
Transcript of commentary by TSN sports anchor: Remember when Kim Hongjoong said he was no longer going to get involved in scrums, try to stay away from this stuff after the whistle bows; he should’ve put an asterisk (*) beside it saying—unless we play Real Seoul. He was involved in multiple altercations with rival Park Seonghwa…It was a mess. And he made his feelings clear about the Real players post-game.
[Trimmed video clip of Kim Hongjoong’s post-game interview plays]
[A sweat-soaked Kim Hongjoong sits in front of a white-bricked wall. Multiple microphones from various sports channels are pointed at his face]
[Reporter off-camera] What do you have to say about Park Seonghwa?
Hongjoong: “I don’t like him.”
[Reporter off-camera] Why don’t you like him?
Hongjoong, getting snarky: “‘Cause I don’t like him.”
Then Hongjoong adds, as if to point out that Park isn’t the only one subject to his dislike. “I don’t like any guy on their team.”
[Reporter off-camera] Did they do something to you…?
Hongjoong with a wry smile: “I just don’t like them.”
[Reporter off-camera] [Regarding on-pitch clash with Seonghwa] You could’ve walked away.
Hongjoong: “Oh, well, I didn’t that time.”
[Video cuts off]
⨳
www.nbcsports.com > Kim Hongjoong, Park Seonghwa
KIM HONGJOONG DOESN’T LIKE THE REAL PLAYERS, BECAUSE HE DOESN’T LIKE THE REAL PLAYERS
The two spoke about their altercation after the game, and Kim Hongjoong was flabbergasted as to why it was considered a mystery that he and Park Seonghwa clashed: Park plays for Real Seoul; Hongjoong doesn’t like Real Seoul.
www.nbcsports.com > Park Seonghwa, Kim Hongjoong
[PARK] SEONGHWA [WAS] HAPPY TO GET A REACTION OUT OF KIM [HONGJOONG] THAT NO OTHER REAL PLAYER WAS ABLE TO HAVE
Seonghwa: “I guess we’ve got to be doing something right if he hates us, right?”
⨳
xabi a. 🎃 @kaka • 5m
Fellas, is it gay to be that much under a guy’s skin?
💬8 🔁47 ♥️180
Nina 😪 don’t talk to me we lost @joongshairband • 9m
Hongjoong was so fucking done in that interview that the petty bitch in him came out, i luv him
💬14 🔁25 ♥️60
brian @cros87 • 10m
For someone who claims to not like Park Seonghwa, Kim Hongjoong sure talks about him a lot
💬 1 🔁4 ♥️
View replies(1)
pat 🌞🌛 @blondejoong • 13m
Replying to @cros87
??? he was literally asked about park 😭😭 park is the one obsessed with him
💬2 🔁3 ♥️3
💜 @ostentatia • 13m
gay as hell to have an arch nemesis
💬 4 🔁123 ♥️142
View replies(4)
💜 @ostentatia • 13m
Replying to @ostentatia
what’s he arching? His back?
💬3 🔁67 ♥️77
⨳
🔲 certifiedgalactico Follow
[Screenshot of article headline: KIM HONGOONG REVEALS HOW IT FEELS TO BE BATTERED INTO SUBMISSION BY PARK SEONGHWA]
Uh, umm...I think the sports journalist was watching...something other than a football match
#park seonghwa #kim hongjoong #athletic seoul #real seoul
Source: certifiedgalactico
12 notes
⨳
Youtube
REAL VS ATHLETIC (PARK SEONGHWA VS KIM HONGJOONG)
3:19 minutes
192,518 views March 24, 2022…more
2.5K Likes Dislike Share Clip Save
569 Comments
Add a comment…
Xi lee 1 day ago
There’s a lot of…tension between these two
78 Likes 11 Replies
el nino 1 day ago
Lmao it was so funny how Park kept tripping Kim and then helping him up, how chivalrous of him
209 Likes 8 Replies
Vukss sesss 1 day ago
Kim Hongjoong is the only who looks good with the hair band
168 Likes 20 Replies
Gon Kong 2 days ago
Park has so much respect for Kim more than any other player i think
12 Likes 0 Replies
matty geo 2 days ago
Well … is it just me or Park Seonghwa isn’t actually as aggressive towards Kim Hongjoong as he is towards other players. Like, his fouls are petty at most
90 Likes 17 Replies
number nine 2 days ago
I wonder what they said to each other 🤔
4 Likes 2 Replies
Danny Agger 2 days ago
Park Seonghwa is the GOAT
10 Likes 0 Replies
Ballers 2 days ago
I think Seonghwa likes pissing Kim off
3 Likes 1 Reply
stevie g 3 days ago
I love Hongjoong’s hairstyle
7 Likes 1 Reply
⨳
🔲 certifiedgalactico Follow
Controversial Take: PARK SEONGHWA DOESN’T HATE KIM HONGJOONG
I know you guys are really going to come at me for this, but before you do that, just hear me out.
Seonghwa and Hongjoong’s rivalry is the talk of the town right now, and it got fueled even further after Hongjoong’s post-game interview for the Derby game [date: 22-03-2022] where he outright professed his dislike for all the players of Real Seoul.
(Note: Here’s the link to the interview if you happened to miss it. Definitely watch it if you haven’t because Hongjoong is unintentionally hilarious in it. We’re already aware of his not-so occasional bouts of bitchiness, but this just takes the cake, lmao.)
Anyway, on to my main point: Seonghwa doesn’t hate Hongjoong; he actually likes him!
When it comes to Hongjoong, Seonghwa acts like the equivalent of a grade school boy pulling his crush’s pigtails. Not that I’m saying he has a crush on Hongjoong (maybe he does, who knows) but what I’m saying is that he doesn't NOT like him.
Let me make my case.
Buckle up, because this is going to be a long one.
First of all, in all the years of Park Seonghwa playing professional football, have you ever seen him approach an opposing player of his own accord? No, right? It’s always—and I mean, always!—the other way around; Seonghwa is the one who gets approached, he never does the approaching. But with Hongjoong, Seonghwa has been seen (caught in 4k, actually) approaching him on multiple occasions, whether it’s before the start of a game, during it, or after.
Exhibit A: K League 1, Real vs. Athletic 06-11-2021, timestamp: 3:47, 45:23
Exhibit B: K League 1, Real vs. Athletic 23-07-2021, timestamp: 57:43
Exhibit C: K League 1, Real vs. Athletic 15-12-2020, timestamp: 9:16
These are just a few of many instances. Like I’m telling you, this man is lowkey obsessed. I didn’t realize how much he approached Hongjoong until I started actively looking for it. He keeps going over to Hongjoong, which is interesting because they’re supposed to be rivals.
I’d think they’re friends or something if it weren’t for Hongjoong’s scorned reactions (their on-pitch fights and, of course, Hongjoong’s statement about disliking Seonghwa). Most of the time when the two interact, Seonghwa seems like he’s entertained by Hongjoong’s existence. And then there’s Hongjoong, who looks like he’d rather eat dirt than interact with Seonghwa but has resigned himself to the fate of being approached by him every game.
But that’s probably because Seonghwa keeps teasing him. He seems to find some visceral joy in getting under Hongjoong’s skin.
(Ref: Seonghwa’s post-game interview for the Derby Match [22-03-2022] where he said he was, and I quote: “Happy to get a reaction out of Kim that no other Real player was able to have.” Here’s the link.)
My guy said this with his whole chest. He, for real (pun intended), wants to draw reactions out of Hongjoong that no other [Real] player was able to achieve...[Looks into the camera like I'm in The Office]. He's competing with his own teammates...
This man is determined to get under Hongjoong's skin, and quite possibly, get Hongjoong under him.
Secondly, whenever they argue during a match, WHY IS SEONGHWA ALWAYS LOOKING AMUSED???
Compare his reaction to when FC Daegu’s Daeshim tried to start shit with him (link) to the most recent Derby when Hongjoong tried to square up against him (link). With Daeshim, Seonghwa looked like he was seconds away from KO-ing his ass (most fans forget that Seonghwa has a temper too. Ref: that incident we don’t talk about), but with Hongjoong, Seonghwa was looking at him like he’s the most adorable thing he’s ever seen. (I’m so serious about this. It’s the same expression Seonghwa had when Minho showed him that cute kitten video on his phone in Real TV season 4 episode 12. Exactly the same expression!)
Last but not least, if you watch the extended post-match video of the most recent Derby [Date: 22-03-2022. It’s available here], you’ll notice that not long after the Referee had blown the whistle, Seonghwa looked like he was looking around for someone on the pitch (time stamp: 1:36:55). At first I thought he was trying to find Real’s manager, but then at exactly 1:37:05, you can see him spot Hongjoong amidst a few other Athletic players. (Sidenote: Poor baby Hongjoong looked really upset by the result of the game. I really wanted to comfort him and tell him he did his very best. 😞)
1:38:11 Seonghwa’s gaze continued to trail after him even when Hongjoong had separated from his teammates to exchange pleasantries with one of the Linesmen. You can tell from Seonghwa’s expression that he was considering whether to approach him or not, he even took a few steps in Hongjoong’s direction but then backtracked.
This is getting too long, so in conclusion, Seonghwa likes Hongj—[gets booed and dragged off stage]
#park seonghwa #kim hongjoong #park vs kim #athletic seoul #real seoul
Replies
Caughtoffside: Lol, but hongjoong hates him tho
madridista: damn maybe u’re actually onto something
meandtheboys: you should go outside and touch some grass, you’re trying to dissect a relationship that doesn’t exist
Rojiblancos: I think Seonghwa has finally found a player who can challenge him and keep him on his toes. Plus, Hongjoong is one of the very few players who doesn’t hero worship him. Hongjoong’s not afraid to snark back at him and Seonghwa seems to like that
Tazer: !!!! i’ve been thinking this too but i was too afraid to be the first one to say it
dAgger04: Are you sure he wasn’t just looking for him to rub the win in his face, we’re talking about park seonghwa after all
fngpigeon: some1 has pointed this out b4 that hwa isnt as aggressive with his fouls when it comes to hongjoong & i agree with it. remember the way hwa almost knocked out jeon sungho when he slid to intercept the ball, he’s never attempted any tackles like those with hongjoong
oldbagofmilk: kind of seems like seonghwa keeps pulling fouls on hongjoong just to have an excuse to get close to him 🤔🤔
CRISKA: Omg, I noticed something similar as well! After they shook hands post game in the prev match, Hongjoong moved onto the next player but Seonghwa kept staring after him.
Reply to CRISKA: i saw that too. like how gay is it to stare into ur rival’s eyes while you both hold hands
Park04: this isnt even an unpopular opinion ure literally the only one with it
royalseoul: This entire post is high levels of delusional
⨳
🔲 servebot Follow
Seonghwa is so funny whenever he wins against athletic. He’s always like “oh well i guess it’s time to flirt with hongjoong” 😌
🔲 deluluforlulu
Hwa: he’s so beautiful i NEED to get on his nerves
Source: servebot
37 notes
⨳
DAWN
ATHLETIC EYE REVENGE AGAINST REAL SEOUL IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
‘We have a score to settle’
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS / August 14, 2022, 7:28 PM KST
One of football’s most anticipated fixtures comes to the Seoul Olympic Stadium tomorrow, and although it’s a pre-season game, all Real-Athletic games carry a competitive bite.
There’s a fresh aspect to the eternal grudge between Real Seoul and Athletic Seoul, too, dating from their surreal last meeting, back in March, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium…[Continue reading]
PARK SEONGHWA, KIM HONGJOONG, REAL SEOUL, ATHLETIC SEOUL, SPORTS
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES > FOOTBALL
PARK SEONGHWA, KIM HONGJOONG TO RENEW RIVALRY
By Jeremy B. / @JBBerron / August 14, 2022, 09:34 am CEST
The Battle of Seoul renews itself once more in a pre-season friendly, and Athletic Seoul are once again looking for vengeance after falling to Real Seoul in the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 21st of March by a 2-1 score.
The rivalry between the two players spread like wildfire throughout the whole rosters, as the Real/Athletic rivalry grew as well. In the previous match-up, Park Seonghwa did a fabulous job of throwing Kim Hongjoong off his game…
Subscribe here to continue reading.
⨳
The next time Athletic face Real again, it’s a pre-season friendly, not that there’s ever anything remotely friendly whenever these two teams face each other. Things always get ugly—too heated, too physical.
Although the results of this match don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, both teams are vying for a win. Real want to win because winning is a habit. For Athletic, it’s a way to save face and finally manage a win against their city rivals.
⨳
Hongjoong’s warming up when Seonghwa comes over to him.
Seonghwa’s body language is so casual that he might as well be taking a stroll in the park. He has his arms settled behind his back and, although his face is carefully composed, the mirth in his eyes gives his intentions away. He’s here to cause trouble, as always.
Hongjoong makes a big show of sighing exaggeratedly, just to let Seonghwa know that he’s inconvenienced by his presence. He carries on with his shoulder stretches; he doesn’t want to encourage him by giving him attention.
“What do you want, Park,” he finally says, when the other doesn’t seem like he’s going to break the silence any time soon. “Don’t you have your own teammates to annoy?”
“I can annoy my teammates any time I want,” Seonghwa says, and although his tone is casual, Hongjoong knows he’s up to no good. “But when else would I get the opportunity to bother someone who doesn’t like me?”
And there it is. Typical of Park to bring it up.
“Ah, so you’ve heard.” Just so he has an excuse not to face Seonghwa, Hongjoong begins to work out his hamstring in a one-legged stretch.
“A little birdie told me.”
Hongjoong scoffs. “You mean every newspaper and social media platform in all of South Korea?”
He faces Seonghwa this time and gives him a pointed look. “You don’t look like you’re losing any sleep over it; what’s it matter to you, anyway? You don’t like me either.”
Seonghwa shrugs. “It doesn’t. I’m—”
He gets cut off as one of the Real players starts hollering for him and threatening him if he doesn’t get back this instant.
Seonghwa grins. “Saved by the bell. Guess duty calls.”
He turns to leave, but before he makes a move to walk away, he says over his shoulder: “Oh, and, I never said I don’t like you, Kim. That was just you.”
Without waiting for a reply or even looking back to see Hongjoong’s reaction, Seonghwa starts walking away; while Hongjoong’s left, staring at his retreating back, flabbergasted.
Park Seonghwa will always be an enigma to him.
⨳
Hongjoong tries not to let Seonghwa’s words get to him. He can ponder over the strange interaction after, right now he has a game to win.
⨳
For all of Seonghwa’s claim of not disliking Hongjoong, he still continues to make Hongjoong’s life a living hell during the game with his typical, niggling fouls.
Hongjoong’s had it up to here with that bullshit, and it all comes to a head when Seonghwa starts tugging and stretching his jersey while they’re both battling it out to gain possession of a long-ball coming their way.
Fed up, Hongjoong rips himself free of Seonghwa’s grasp.
“You want my shirt, Park? Want me to take it off?” He snarls, turning on Seonghwa. He tugs on the collar of his jersey like he’s about to pull it off. “Here, I’ll give it to you.”
Seonghwa looks unimpressed by the theatrics. “Didn’t know that you were that eager to strip for me.”
Before things can get any more heated, the Referee interferes and gives them both an earful.
[Commentator Two] [Quoting Kim Hongjoong] “You want my shirt? Want me to take it off?” he says—[Commentator breaks out into laughter]
[Commentator One] [Laughing as well] Confident young man, isn’t he?
⨳
Hongjoong decides it’s time to give Seonghwa a taste of his own medicine.
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With Seonghwa’s attention occupied with heading the ball, Hongjoong backs into him. He pushes his back against Seonghwa’s chest, and just when the Referee’s attention shifts towards them, he makes a whole show of dropping down to give off the impression that Seonghwa had been the one to crowd into him, causing his fall.
On the ground, he raises his arms at the Referee, feigning indignance. His little play-act actually works because the Referee doesn’t hesitate to book Seonghwa after.
Seonghwa tries to argue with the Referee, but the Referee won’t have it. He actually begins to scold Seonghwa; he tells him that he’s well aware of his antics and that his reputation precedes him. It takes all of Hongjoong’s restraint to keep himself from laughing. Finally, Seonghwa’s gotten what was coming to him.
Seonghwa looks visibly irked after. Glaring at Hongjoong, he says: “Become an actor now, eh, Kim?”
Hongjoong just smiles back, the picture of innocence.
It’s nice to finally be the one to get under Seonghwa’s skin rather than the other way around.
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The match ends in a draw, despite Athletic's best effort. At least it’s not a loss this time.
⨳
After the whistle blows, Hongjoong gets approached by a nervous yet enthusiastic Real player. All Hongjoong knows is that he’s one of the rookies, but he isn’t familiar with the name.
The kid introduces himself and asks Hongjoong if he’d like to exchange jerseys. Hongjoong’s pleasantly surprised by the request and is about to agree to it, but before he can verbalize his willingness to do the exchange, they get interrupted by Seonghwa.
Seonghwa affectionately pats the rookie’s head and says, “Sorry, Hyun-ki, but this one’s mine.”
Hongjoong wonders whether the choice of words are intentional.
The kid looks back at Seonghwa like the sun shines out of his ass, and it’s this hero-worship that has him relinquishing his claim over Hongjoong’s jersey with just a single promise of a dinner treat from Seonghwa. Hongjoong doesn’t know whether he should be offended that his jersey is worth less than a dinner with the kid’s own teammate.
(But just because the rookie seems like a good kid, Hongjoong still offers to exchange jerseys with him the next time they play each other.)
The kid excuses himself and leaves, looking absolutely pleased with the prospect of a free dinner and a potential jersey.
Hongjoong stares after him and says, “Look after that one, he’s a bit naive.”
Seonghwa laughs. “He’s the team baby, we all do.”
Now that the kid’s gone, Hongjoong turns to Seonghwa. “By the way, who says I want your jersey, Park?” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.
Seonghwa grins teasingly. “You’re the one who offered during the match.”
Hongjoong sputters. “I didn’t actually mean it, you asshole.”
Seonghwa laughs. “Yeah, but now I’d like to see you take it off since you offered so graciously before.”
And Hongjoong’s shocked by the gall of him. “Fuck you.”
“Would love to.”
Hongjoong closes his eyes and inhales. He can never win against Park, can he?
“I’m serious about exchanging though,” Seonghwa says. “You managed to surprise me today with that acting stunt you pulled. I’ll admit, I was pissed off at first but you’ve gained my respect, I'll give you that.”
And well, isn’t that something? Seonghwa’s the one who manages to surprise him every time.
“Okay,” Hongjoong says, his lips tugging up at the corners in spite of himself. “Let’s do it.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah."
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Nina 🔥 @joongshairband • 5m
After today, I can’t tell whether these two don’t like each other, are friends, or want to fuck…
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View replies (13)
It’s The Kid @athleticsnumber9 • 6m
Replying to @joongshairband
I reckon it’s all three 👀
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Jolie 🐰🤍 @caphwa • 5m
Only Hwa and Kim Hongjoong can go from being at each other’s throats during the game to exchanging shirts after 😵💫
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View replies (34)
silly little ballers @ballin • 7m
Replying to @caphwa
Guess whatever happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch 🤷♂️
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alex 💘 @joshfielder • 5m
This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill! Seonghwa and Hongjoong exchanged jerseys! Hell has frozen over
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View replies (3)
Do you know what I am? @offside • 6m
Replying to @joshfielder
Omg, what??? Proof or it didn’t happen
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val @itssroyalseoul • 8m
who did seonghwa exchange jerseys with?
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View replies (1)
Jack ⚽ @calmacalma • 6m
Replying to @itssroyalseoul
the captain of athletic, kim hongjoong
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Jolie 🐰🤍 @caphwa • 8m
The last and only time Hwa asked a player to exchange jerseys with him was during his rookie year when he approached his idol. Guess Kim Hongjoong really has him impressed
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Nina 🔥 @joongshairband • 9m
I'm so jealous, I want Hongjoong’s sweaty jersey too 😩😩
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View replies (2)
Jack ⚽ @calmacalma • 12m
Replying to @joongshairband
i don’t know who I’m more jealous of, seonghwa or hongjoong
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Ballon d'Or 4 Park @park4seonghwa • 10m
Umm did y’all see the way seonghwa was smiling at kim hongjoong, my guy is smitten as hell
pic.twitter.com/1uvlpCsN3B
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Merc ❤️🤍 @redandwhite • 11m
hongjoong taunting seonghwa abt wanting his jersey for pulling on it, only to actually end up exchanging with jerseys him after the match is so funny, lmao
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ney ney🤍 @neymarvelous • 11m
Shirtless seonghwa, ohmyGod, i’m losing my fcking mind. He’s so hot
pic.twitter.com/LyWuvlpFX
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pat 🌞🌛 @blondejoong • 13m
Park Seonghwa was pulling on Hongjoong’s jersey so Hongjoong asked him if he wanted him to take his jersey off 😂 he’s so savage, i love him so much
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King Park @PARKGOATED • 13m
I think we all need to apologize to tumblr user certifiedgalactico for calling them delusional when they said hwa likes hongjoong
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✨jackie✨@numbernine • 13m
I need pics of shirtless hongjoong and seonghwa from every angle
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View replies (1)
✨jackie✨@numbernine • 15m
Replying to @numbernine
I gotta admit those two look hot af together
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King Park @PARKGOATED • 20m
hyunki was talking to hongjoong but then seonghwa came and he ran off??? did seonghwa scare him away from his boy lol
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View replies (10)
ney ney🤍 @neymarvelous • 22m
Replying to @PARKGOATED
Excuse you, that’s hwa’s baby you’re talking about
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Sarah 🔸 no. 4 @hwanation • 20m
Are we all going to collectively ignore how those two were literally eye fucking each other after their jerseys were off
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View replies (4)
Ballon d'Or 4 Park @park4seonghwa • 27m
Replying to @hwanation
Omg, they couldn't take their eyes off each other
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Jack ⚽ @calmacalma • 28m
Replying to @hwanation
I wanted to tell hongjoong, bro hwa’s eyes are up here 😩
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ney ney🤍 @neymarvelous • 29m
Replying to @hwanation
Mmm their gazes were straying 👀
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pat 🌞🌛 @blondejoong • 21m
Okay, but can we talk about how smart hongjoong was about tricking the ref into booking seonghwa. He really amazes me
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seongjoong @dailyseongjoong • 32m
Hello, this is the first ever account dedicated to Real Seoul’s Park Seonghwa and Athletic Seoul’s Kim Hongjoong and their moments! Pls like and rt to spread the word! ☺️
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AUGUST 15
PARK AND KIM, THEY LOVE TO JOSTLE
Comment by Ricardo A. - Seoul Echo
These guys can’t get enough of each other, and we can’t get enough of them…[Continue Reading]
08/15/22
Battle of the Captains: Kim and Park, Oh My!
By Daniel P. - Super Sports Mania
Park Seonghwa and Kim Hongjoong back to old antics…[Click to read]
15th AUGUST 2022
PARK SEONGHWA AND KIM HONGJOONG BURY THE HATCHET?
Published in SPORTSMAX
They jostled, they bickered, they almost came to blows…and then they exchanged jerseys after the match? This sequence of events doesn’t make sense. [Subscribe to read]
⨳
🔲 certifiedgalactico Follow
Park Seonghwa doesn’t hate Kim Hongjoong pt. 2 coming soon 😌
#park seonghwa #kim hongjoong #park vs kim #athletic seoul #real seoul