Lee Chun-soo chases TV role

Lee Chun-soo/ Yonhap

Retired footballer Lee Chun-soo, 34, wants to build a career as a TV personality, Star News reported Thursday.

Lee retired from football last month after 13 years. He played as a forward for the national team in the 2002 World Cup, the 2005 Summer Olympics and the 2006 World Cup.

After the 2002 World Cup, he moved to Real Sociedad of Spain, becoming the first Korean to play in the Spanish league. Lee transferred to Al-Nassr in 2009 after joining Suwon Samsung and the Chunnam Dragons.

Lee returned to the K-league in 2013.

Lee told Star News he wants to begin his “second life.”

“I always wanted to be a broadcaster,” Lee said. “I’ve received many offers to host or be a guest on TV programs.”

Lee said his role model is Kang Ho-dong, a popular TV host and comedian, who is a former Korean traditional wrestler.

Many athletes have switched to the entertainment industry. Former basketball player Seo Jang-hoon recently began appearing in reality shows, and former baseball player Yang Joon-hyuck has starred in a TV series with North Korean refugee women on TV Chosun.