[Reporter’s Notebook] Son Heung-min's Hair Loss and Military Service Stress

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Our national soccer team's "superstar" Son Heung-min (31, Tottenham), who led the team to the Round of 16 in the Qatar World Cup, has one embarrassing past he would like to erase: photos of hair loss. In 2014, while playing for the German professional soccer club Bayer Leverkusen, several photos taken during club and national team matches raised suspicions of hair loss. In the photos, there is a coin about the size of a 500-won piece visible on Son Heung-min's head. Son has not commented on the "hair loss rumors." However, at that time, Son reportedly experienced significant stress related to military service. Unable to resolve his military service issue, Son won a gold medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and was exempted from military duty. Son smiled brightly, wearing the gold medal around his neck.

The military service stress that athletes endure is said to be beyond ordinary people's imagination. Soccer players A and B were close friends. Every time they met, the topic of conversation was always military service. Then B injured his cruciate ligament during a match and was exempted from military service. A envied B, saying, "This is luck." He added, "Unless you experience it yourself, you cannot understand the stress."

Broker Gu, who was arrested and indicted for helping multiple athletes evade military service, appears to have made enormous profits by exploiting such desperation. Looking at the blog operated by Gu, one can imagine that those worried about military service might be tempted to pick up the phone at least once. Gu dazzled viewers with various awards and certificates. He also portrayed himself as a clean person, saying things like, "I was moved to tears after hearing painful stories," and "I work to contribute so that everyone can fulfill their military service fairly."

As long as brokers like Gu continue to run rampant, military service corruption in the sports world will not be eradicated. Fundamental improvements are needed, and it is worth heeding the advice of senior figures in the sports community. Many veterans have told reporters that the Armed Forces Athletic Corps should be operated as a "standing national team." The idea is for athletes to enlist early at age 20 to resolve their military service. They also suggested giving this opportunity to talented individuals who could be immediately selected as national representatives. Typically, athletes reach their prime at age 26. If they resolve their military service in their early 20s and focus solely on training while in the military, it could be a "win-win" for both society and the athletes.