I Will Be Big Star of World Soccer

Golden hair → Beckham hair → Taegeuk(national flag) hair, and now ‘Big Star’ hair.

Lee Chun-soo(22, Real Sociedad) changed his hair style once again yesterday, one day prior to his departure to Spain at a beauty salon in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Lee, this time, displayed a new star-shaped hairstyle dyed in dark and light brown. “We put a big star on his head. We wish him to be reborn as an international star player,” a hairdresser from the salon said.

At first, the salon prepared two hair styles for Lee. One was the ‘Big Star’ style that signifies a big star player that soccer fans across the world look up to, and the other was a four-leaf clover style, as a symbol of luck that always stays with him.

Lee chose the ‘Big Star’ style without slightest hesitation. “In my soccer career, there hasn’t been any luck. It is the pure sweat and the efforts that made me become such a player that I am now,” Lee said. “I am confident that I can also make a new life in Spain with only soccer balls. I won’t disappoint fans.”

Lee plans to keep his eye-catching hair style in Spain. The salon promised Lee to visit Spain every two months to maintain his hair style.

Lee, who came temporarily back to Korea on July 19 after a welcoming event and medical check up in Spain, had been shaping his body with weigh training at a fitness center.

In the meantime, Real Sociedad commenced training July 21 with its 24 players without Lee. Lee Chon-soo is scheduled to join the team from the July 26 club opening event.

“This season, we will challenge the impossible. Lee Chon-soo is the perfect one that will strengthen our weak points that we lacked last year. I was stuck by his strong confidence. I wish Lee maintains his high sprit and stays long in San Sebastian,” France born Real Danue head coach said.

Supporters of Sociedad are also urging his to “come to Spain soon,” while showing high expectation on him. Supporters call Lee Chon-soo as ‘Li-Chan-Su’ as ‘Chun’ is hard to pronounce to them. Lee is believed to be a ‘Big Star of the World’ in a foreseeable future.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com