Son Heung-min’s Respectful Images When Young Emerge, Stark Contrast to Lee Kang-in?

The recent incident between Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in at the 2023 Asian Cup dining hall has greatly shocked Korean fans. 

It is known that in South Korea, the etiquette between seniors and juniors or ordinary members and team captains or leaders within a group is highly valued. Therefore, the fact that Lee Kang-in failed to control his emotions and allegedly getting into a scuffle with his captain and senior Son Heung-min leads to the young athlete being drowned in criticism. 

Amid this, images of Son Heung-min during his younger days as the youngest player in the South Korean national team have gone viral again. One of these images shows the youngest Son Heung-min handing water bottles to his senior teammates with a worried look on his face during training. In fact, player Ki Sung-yong once shared that he once asked Son Heung-min to bring him some water, and the latter ended up delivering 20 bottles.

Another photo captures Son Heung-min smiling brightly while carrying his senior, Lee Young-pyo, who is 15 years older, on his shoulders. Meanwhile, another moment shows Son Heung-min walking alongside the legendary Park Ji-sung, engaging in cheerful conversation and laughter. 

“Senior Park Ji-sung” once recounted how Son Heung-min was assigned to share a room with him. According to the soccer player, Son Heung-min stayed awake in the hotel lobby, waiting to carry Park Ji-sung’s luggage to their shared room instead of sleeping.

Images of Son Heung-min respecting his seniors have resurfaced after his “scuffle” with his junior Lee Kang-in. 

Regarding Son Heung-min’s time as the youngest player in the national team, South Korean media sites were full of poetic language such as “the light of respect and care.” According to the media, Son Heung-min didn’t become a star like today by chance, as his respectful attitude shined just as hard as his talent and effort.

Therefore, when someone who is always loved for their beautiful behavior like Son Heung-min is “disrespected” by the newly emerging Lee Kang-in, South Korean fans cannot help but feel angry at the latter.

Son Heung-min once carried 20 water bottles to his senior 

The star soccer player respectfully carried his senior on his shoulders 

Despite being extremely talented, Son Heung-min maintained a respectful attitude 

At the same time, many discovered that Lee Kang-in previously showed disrespect towards his senior even before Son Heung-min, painting a stark contrast.

Source: K14