2008: Banner Year for 24-Year-Old Korean Sports Stars?

2008: Banner Year for 24-Year-Old Korean Sports Stars?

In soccer, two Korean players, Lee Ho (Zenit, St Petersburg), who is playing in the Russian pro football league, and Oh Bum-suk, who is in the middle of negotiations to transfer to Russia`s FC Krylya Sovetov Samara, are drawing attention these days.

Lee, who once was named as the favorite of former national team soccer coach Dick Advocaat, failed to show great performance afterwards.

Oh Bum-suk is in the middle of a transfer dispute with the Pohang Steelers to play for Samara FC. Expectations of these players next year run high.

Expectations of pro baseball players Ko Young-min (Doosan), Song Eun-bum (SK) and Ahn Young-myong (Hanwha) are running high as well. Ko Young-min won a gold glove award this year.

In basketball, Kim Tae-sul (SK), Yang Hee-jong (KT&G), and Ham Ji-hun (Mobis) are rising as new faces to be reckoned with in the Korean pro basketball league.

In volleyball, Park Kyung-nam (KT&G) and Han Song-ee (Korea Expressway) are impressing all with their performances as well.

creating@donga.com