When sports legends become variety show villains
A single remark from a football legend has reignited an old dispute in the Korean sports world. Kim Nam-il, a key player who helped lead Korea to the semifinals in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, recently made headlines by saying that he does not consider baseball to be a sport. His comment was made on JTBC’s new variety show “Yesman,” where retired sports stars try to create a sense of tension and humor, on Saturday. While the studio audience laughed at the time, the reaction from the public and professional athletes was far from humorous. The remark highlights a growing tension in the Korean entertainment industry. As retired sports stars move into the world of variety shows, they often find themselves caught between their professional identity and their new role as entertainers. To grab the attention of viewers, they are often pushed to say shocking things or to put down other sports. In “Yesman,” Kim targeted former baseball player Yoon Suk-min, who played for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League and the Norfolk Tides, a Triple A affiliate of Major Leagu
