[Manbo Jeongdam] Football Commentator? Shin Munsun, the 'Art Enthusiast' Recognized by Chairman Koo Bon-moo

‘Football commentator’ Professor Shin Moon-sun, 65, of Myongji University’s Graduate School of Records and Information Science, held a modest retirement ceremony with graduate students and alumni on the evening of the 8th and stepped down from teaching. He no longer lectures in front of students. He plans to attend only the freshman interviews on the 17th. It has been 17 years since he first took the podium in 2006.

Meeting with this paper near his home in Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 9th, Professor Shin proudly said, “I have achieved many results at the graduate school where the sports record analysis major has yet to establish itself,” adding, “Many talents coveted by Germany and the UK have been produced from our graduate school.” However, he also said, “There is still much work left to do, so I don’t feel entirely regretful about retiring as a professor.”

Professor Sin Sunseon. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Professor Shin is preparing to open an art gallery at his Sangsu-dong home, where he has lived with his family for 20 years. The building has three floors above ground and one basement floor, including a garden. He named it ‘Shin Moon-sun Space.’ The idea came from painter Seo Yong-seon. This place, revealed for the first time through this paper, houses about 100 artworks he has collected over time, arranged throughout the space. Another 100 pieces are waiting their turn.

The opening of the gallery will mark the second act of Professor Shin’s life. His mind and body, strengthened by walking 10,000 steps daily, are the driving force behind his enthusiastic preparation for the gallery. Professor Shin said, “Every day, I walked 10,000 to 15,000 steps along Inwangsan Mountain from my home in Cheongun-dong.” He also called himself a “10,000-step maniac.” He hinted that there is a ‘Shin Moon-sun Course’ named after him on Inwangsan. It is a route that follows the Bukak Skyway, then turns toward Suseongdong Valley, walking along the valley. The reason he started walking this path was ultimately because of painting. “Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, who painted Inwangjesaekdo, lived in Cheongun-dong and left many places where he painted. Since university, I was curious about the background of Inwangjesaekdo and kept searching, and I came to like this path,” he recalled.

Professor Sin Sunseon. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Late Chairman Koo Bon-moo also gifted paintings... Over 40 years of artistic insight

Professor Shin is familiar to the public as a football figure. However, he is actually a great ‘art enthusiast.’ He has cultivated his artistic insight for over 40 years. Professor Shin recalled, “During my university athlete days, I used to go to Insadong on my days off to look for paintings.” As his insight developed, he could not pass by artworks with stories. He collected various works not only domestically but also from places like Japan. Currently, he owns 40 pieces each by painters Byun Si-ji and Kwon Soon-chul. In 2003, he received Kim Chang-ryeol’s ‘Drops of Water’ as a gift from the late Koo Bon-moo, chairman of LG Group. Professor Shin explained, “We went to an exhibition together, and Chairman Koo quietly purchased the artwork and later sent it to me.” This piece is also displayed on a wall next to the stairs inside the old house where the gallery will open.

The gallery is a space that condenses his artistic sensibility. During the planning process, he referred to the ‘Jim Thompson House (Bangkok, Thailand)’ and ‘Yanagi Muneyoshi’s Folk Craft Museum (Tokyo, Japan).’ Although Professor Shin already opened and operates the Wow Gallery in September 2021, opening a gallery holds a different significance. He said, “The area in front of Hongik University is called the mecca of art, but now it has become a busy street with many restaurants and pubs. I hoped there would be a quiet gallery nearby.”

Professor Sin Sunseon. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

“Waiting for a retirement stage in football commentary as well”

Professor Shin’s influence in the football world remains strong. Many professional football clubs ask him for special lectures and advice. Daegu FC avoided relegation to the second division last season with his help. In September last year, ahead of an away game against Jeju United, Daegu FC President Cho Kwang-rae sent an SOS to Professor Shin. He immediately went down to the team’s lodging and gave a special lecture. He emphasized to the players, “Statistically, compared to last year, performance has not declined. You can have confidence.” He called in the team’s key player Seong-nya (Brazil) to stress responsibility and advised not to react sensitively to referee decisions. Daegu conceded two goals but caught up with two goals to draw the match against Jeju. Afterwards, they rode a wave of four wins and two draws, successfully remaining in the first division.

Professor Shin is still quietly waiting for calls from the football world. He said, “If there is a position where I can innovatively change football administration, I would not hesitate.” Regarding football commentary, he confessed, “These days, I hope for a final broadcast opportunity where I can officially retire.”

He has always lived as a maverick in the football scene. Hoping for the proper growth of Korean football, he did not hesitate to speak harshly to related organizations. Even in the interview with this paper, he reiterated, “The Football Association must change.” Regarding the recent success of Korea’s under-20 football team, which made a historic semifinal run in Argentina, he said, “We must not get intoxicated.” He emphasized, “It is not right to think we are ahead of Japan just because Japan was eliminated in the qualifiers and we reached the semifinals.” He added, “The current team has a clear strategy through set pieces, and Coach Kim Eun-jung is giving autonomy to the attacking line, which is very encouraging. An environment that allows these players to continue performing well is necessary.”