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Wed, March 22, 2023 | 06:34
Naver
You need plastic surgery, companies tell Korean golfer
안선주 '한국서 성형 강요받았다’
Posted : 2014-07-08 16:33
Updated : 2014-07-08 16:33
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The best female golfer in Japan is Korean. Ahn Sun-ju, 26, has won 16 tournaments, including three this year, and banked 500 million yen (about $5 million) prize money since joining the JLPGA in 2010.


While Ahn definitely has the talent to extend her dominance to her home country, do not expect her to return anytime soon.

In an interview with Naver sports columnist Lee Young-mi, Ahn described playing in Japan as a liberating experience. She said that when she competed in Korea, her ability as a golfer was never enough.

"Some (potential Korean) sponsors even demanded I get a plastic surgery," she said. "Companies did not consider me as a golf athlete, only that I was a woman. It mattered most to them was whether my appearance was marketable. I was deeply hurt by that."

Ahn her made pro debut with the KLPGA in 2006 and won six tournaments before jumping to the JPLGA. But despite her stellar play, she struggled to find a corporate sponsor in Korea.

"As you can see, I do not have a pretty face, I am not thin, I am not what you would call sexy," Ahn said. "But does that mean I shouldn't be playing golf?

"Japanese companies, on the other hand, focused on my ability as a golfer. They are more concerned about my performance and how I treat my fans. I am being sponsored by six Japanese companies, including a clothing brand."


안선주 '한국서 성형 강요받았다’

일본 여본여자프로골프(JLPGA)투어를 평정한 안선주가 외모지상주의에 빠진 한국골프계에 일침을 가했다. 안선주는 포털 네이버에 게재된 스포츠칼럼니스트 이영미씨와의 인터뷰에서 한국에서 활동할 때 전형적인 기준에서 미인이라 할 수 없는 외모 때문에 스폰서를 구하기 힘들었다고 털어놨다.

안선주는 '(한국에선) 성형을 강요한 기업도 있었다. 골프를 선수로 안보고 여성으로 보는 기업들의 시각에 깊은 상처를 받았다. 난 아시다시피 예쁘지도 않고, 날씬하지도 않고, 섹시하지도 않다. 그런 사람은 골프를 치면 안 되는 것인가.”

2006년 KLPGA 정규 투어를 시작한 안선주는 데뷔 첫 해 1승을 비롯해 2010년 일본 진출 전까지 7승을 수확하여 한국 여자골프의 미래로 떠올랐다. 그러나 외모지상주의가 팽배한 국내 골프계에서 스폰서를 구하지 못하는 상황이 벌어지면서 그는 과감히 한국을 떠나 일본여자골프계를 두드렸다.

안선주는 “일본의 기업들은 내 외모가 아닌 골프에 집중해줬다. 성적을 냈고, 팬들을 대하는 내 태도에 관심을 기울였다. 그래서 지금은 의류 포함해서 6개의 일본 회사로부터 후원을 받고 있다.”

안선주가 2010년 일본 진출 후 지금까지 JLPGA에서 거둔 승수는 16승, 그동안 벌어들인 상금 총액만 5억엔(한화 50억 4000만 원)에 달한다. 
Emailthkim@ktimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
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