Sharing Friendship Through Hardships

The “Korean Express” Park Chan-ho (34, New York Mets) and Sean (35, Noh Seung-hwan) of the hip hop duo Jinusean (known for songs such as “Tell Me,” and “Phone Number”) are close friends. Their friendship began when a mutual friend introduced them in 1991 at the Hanyang University baseball field.

In 1994, Sean became a backup dancer for the group Seo Tai-ji and Boys, and Park went to the Major Leagues, but was moved down to the minors in 17 days and spent two years eating the “hamburgers of tears.” However, they helped each other out in overcoming their hardships. When Park was in the minors, Sean went to his games to root him on. When back in the Major Leagues, Park played Jinusean’s music on the days that he played, supplying indirect publicity for the group.

When “Lion King” Lee Seung-yeop’s (31, Yomiuri) mother passed away in January, popular MC Kim Je-dong (33) showed great sorrow at the mortuary. These two are sworn brothers. Although they are both busy men, they call each other almost everyday. Kim met Lee first in 1999 at Daegu Stadium. The then unknown MC who presided over baseball field events and the big hitter of the Samsung Lions became friends over dinner. Lee cares for Kim like a brother while Kim shares Lee’s sorrows with him. Their friendship is truly beautiful.

Basketball player Kim Seung-hyeon of the Daegu Orions is close friends with actor Lee Jeong-jin who is of his age. Their friendship is stronger due to the fact that they first met when they were both going through hard times.

Kim first met Lee during a gathering in 2000 when he was in the graduating class of Donggguk University. Although Kim was talented, his lack of name value was causing him anxiety regarding his career in the professional league. Lee didn’t have much work at the time, working stints as a model. Lee is a basketball fan who is good enough to play as a key player on a celebrity basketball team, so they soon became close friends.

beetlez@donga.com kjs0123@donga.com