Weightlifter Park Hye-jeong Keeps Promise... Jeon Hyun-moo's Challenge in Sports Broadcasting Yields 'Silver Fruit'

"Immersed Like Family, Want to Broadcast Again" Reveals
Park Hye-jeong Shares the Sorrows of Unpopular Sports on Air

Former KBS announcer and broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo (46) made headlines by stepping in as an on-site caster to support South Korea's top female weightlifter Park Hye-jeong (21). On the 11th (Korean time), at the South Paris Arena 6 in Paris, France, Park Hye-jeong lifted a total of 299 kg in the women's over 81 kg weightlifting event, with a 131 kg snatch and a 168 kg clean and jerk, becoming the last medalist for South Korea at the Paris Olympics.

Broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo (46), a former KBS announcer, is making headlines as an on-site caster to support Korea's top female weightlifter Park Hye-jeong (21). On the 11th (Korean time), at the women's over 81kg weightlifting event held at South Paris Arena 6 in Paris, France, Park Hye-jeong lifted 131kg in the snatch and 168kg in the clean and jerk, totaling 299kg, becoming the last medalist for South Korea at the Paris Olympics.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the event broadcast on KBS 2TV was commentated by Jeon Hyun-moo. This was Jeon's first time doing sports commentary, and with no prior experience in weightlifting, he took on the role due to his connection with Park Hye-jeong through the KBS variety show 'The Manager Has Donkey Ears.' Additionally, Park appeared on Jeon's show 'I Live Alone.' Park had previously expressed at an event hosted by SK Telecom in June that she hoped Jeon would say, "The trusted Park Hye-jeong has done it."

On the program hosted by Jeon Hyun-moo, Park Hye-jeong shared the hardships faced by athletes in less popular sports. She said on the broadcast, "I achieved good results at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games, but the arrival date coincided with that of the badminton players. Reporters flocked to the badminton side, which was heartbreaking." After the commentary, Jeon spoke with Park in the mixed zone. He said, "The commentary wasn't originally planned, but all three broadcasters covered it. I think Hye-jeong was happy because weightlifting was getting attention. I want to do my best for Hye-jeong."

Jeon Hyun-moo said, "As someone who is not a professional, I was nervous since it was my first challenge," emphasizing, "I may have lacked as a professional caster, but as I went on, I became like a family member to Park Hye-jeong and got immersed." He added, "I don't know if I did well or poorly, but I feel very relieved," and said, "If I get another chance, I want to prepare perfectly and try again."

On the 11th (local time), Park Hye-jeong, who won the silver medal in the women's over 81kg weightlifting category at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at South Paris Arena in Paris, France, is standing on the podium holding up her medal.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On that day, Jeon introduced China's Li Yuan-yuan by wittily saying, "(She is) like Messi and Ronaldo to Park Hye-jeong." When Park finished the competition with a silver medal, he encouraged her by saying, "It's important that she improved compared to the last competition, and there are four more years ahead. I will continue to support her until the end." He continued, "I saw hope in Park Hye-jeong's expression just now, a hopeful look that seems to look forward to the next four years without pain in her heart. The youngest Hye-jeong did it."