Sonsational (2021) - full transcript
Where are you going now?
After I wake up,
I'm going to train.
How often do you drive?
Of course, nearly every day.
Because I have to go to work
and I have to go home.
Sometimes if my car
is at the club,
then one of my friends
will pick me up,
as most of the players
live close to me.
Harry Kane is two minutes away.
Really close.
So sometimes I ask them,
but most of it I drive myself.
So do you like my driving?
Oh, you're a great driver!
Not so much.
Just wondering whether
you're comfortable or not.
I'm really comfortable
right now.
Even though
I'll arrive at 9:00am,
the training doesn't
start until 10:30.
Since there's still
plenty of time,
I will have breakfast.
Now I'm hungry
as I didn't have any.
I will have a breakfast and
get ready before I start.
Here we are now.
Harry Kane is very
passionate and
he also has tonnes of things
to learn outside the field.
Dele dances by himself
when he is excited.
He is very innocent,
like a child.
I love this opportunity,
to play with these players.
I enjoy it as much as I can.
Those opportunities
are not given to everyone.
Dele, Eriksen,
Harry Kane and me
seem to be called D.E.S.K
as an acronym,
four main strikers,
the core offence.
For now, we've hit it off well.
Eriksen, Dele Alli,
Harry Kane -
we've been playing for
almost four years.
Now I know what they like
and also
I know exactly where
to go on the field
when they position themselves.
When the fans came and asked
for autographs, my hands
would shake.
At first, you were nervous,
but you are used to it now?
It is not about
getting used to it.
It is rather now what you have
to do as a football player.
Welcome to my hometown.
Have you been here before?
No, I've only come here
before the construction.
This is the first visit, first
since the work has been done.
How long has it been
since you last visited?
About three years, maybe more.
His first visit
in almost three years.
Do you have a lot
of memories here?
Oh, definitely.
I grew up here.
Ever since he was born,
he was a charming boy.
Always a smiley face
while growing up.
Baby Son's favourite toy
was always a ball.
He kicked a ball around in
his room when he turned toddler.
All good?
Good.
Nice to see you.
He lived in Germany for a while
so he speaks some German.
I'm coach Son Heung-Yoon
from Son's football academy.
I haven't seen him
in a long time.
How long has it been?
I think, last year...
We met a few times after
international matches.
But this is his first time
at the academy. We have
both been busy.
He's got cooler.
He's played in the
Champions League final.
Yeah, but he lost.
This is true brotherhood.
We're this strict to each other.
They only do keepie-uppies
all day.
Yeah, you get tired...
So they always look at me
to see if they'll be doing
something else today.
It was like that for us too.
If they get dribbling or passing
drills, they get really excited.
No keepie-uppies
is like a day off.
We trained about four times
more than they're doing.
They train indoors
when it's hot.
And they train in the shade
in the afternoon.
They train in the shade.
We trained in the sun.
On hard ground!
Once, me and my brother,
we had a fight over nothing.
You know, some brother stuff...
Dad got angry.
He brought two balls and
made us do keepie-uppies
for four hours
without dropping it.
You start to hallucinate!
We promised not to fight again
but that didn't last long.
Me and Heung-min had different
ways of dealing with dad.
I'm more like our father.
So I had more attitude
and would get punished for it.
But Heung-min was cheekier.
He acted like he's hurt
before dad punished him.
He would roll on the ground
before dad hit him.
So I got scolded a lot more.
Hey.
Having fun?
Is it tough?
Which grade are you guys in?
All in the fifth?
So this is elementary squad.
You guys nervous?
-Is it surprising?
-It's weird.
Weird? Do I look weird?
No, I feel weird!
You feel weird?
Feels like a dream.
What's so dreamy?
I'm like you guys.
You guys want to take
a picture with Son?
How do you concentrate better?
Concentration?
How do you concentrate better...
How would you...
You get told off a lot, right?
-Because you lack concentration?
-Yeah.
You need to concentrate
to not get called out.
Concentrate to not get scolded.
You learn as you get scolded.
Understand?
How long did you train for
when you were growing up
in Chuncheon?
How long did I train for?
Yeah, when you were young.
I did the same as you guys.
But I got scolded even more.
This way to the side!
Show your sole to
the next person. That's it!
The foot should be up this way.
Leave the hands. Strength.
They need to master the basics
to become a football player.
So they must train repetitively
until they master the skills.
I think the fundamentals
are important for anything.
You need to master the basics
to move on to the next stage.
You want to move on without
doing so? That's nonsense.
Fundamentals
need to be mastered,
and players who've done it
will grow further.
They have higher potential
to achieve success, I believe.
My approach was a regime
that makes you comfortable
on the ball.
For young kids, this needs
to be a priority,
and it's the most
important thing, anyway.
So we did a regime that involves
ball control for two hours.
Sonny did this for
about six years.
I was a typical kid who liked
football but hated to study.
How much did you like football?
I really loved football
since I was a kid.
This is where Sonny started
playing football until
he graduated.
Until he graduated
from this primary.
He only wanted to play football
when he wasn't eating.
"Physical movement is excellent
and loves football".
One day, young Sonny told me he
wanted to be a football player.
But former footballers mostly
don't want their children
to become players.
Because we know how
difficult it is.
Parents want their kids
to have a comfortable life.
He was so firm about it
so I asked twice.
But he was very young,
what did he know?
Sonny just loved football.
It must have been hard
raising your kid to be
a footballer?
Right. As a parent,
if your kids want to do
the same as you used to do,
something you weren't
as good at,
and you teach them how, you
really have to be thorough.
It's hard ground here. It was
the same back then as well.
Every year from October to
December, I put a hundred
bags of salt on the ground.
More than a hundred bags
of salt over this ground.
-A bag of salt?
-A bag of salt.
I hung a bag of salt
on a small truck,
drove around the field.
With salt on the ground,
snow melts quicker in winter.
When summer comes,
it gets really dry here.
But that salty ground
stays quite fluffy
so you won't injure yourself
as much when you trip over.
And here you see where
the pull-up bars are now.
When it would snow, I'd come
out early in the morning
and sweep at least
a ten metre radius area
to make a space for Sonny
to train even by himself
at any time,
even in the snow right here.
Never skipped a training
session. Not a day. 365 days.
What kind of training did
you do with your father?
Honestly, a lot of really
intense things. For example...
running keepie-uppies,
three laps around the field.
One lap with your left leg
and one with your right.
And another with both feet.
This was really tough.
Because it isn't about pace.
It requires a real technique.
If I ever drop the ball
while running,
even on the second lap,
I'd have to start over
from the first lap.
Now we have a nice grass pitch
but there are memories left
on the school field.
When my kids did an
around-the-cone dribble,
I drew on the ground
as if with a compass.
You draw like this
and you have a circle.
But this is too small,
so I would do another pass.
And then you do
another one here.
You draw here then you
make them touch, like this.
Now you have figure eight.
I drew this so many times
so I could see my sock through
the hole on the tip of my shoes.
He couldn't stand to wait.
He couldn't spank us
on the bottom
because he wouldn't wait
for us to bend over.
We would have 10-20 balls
on the ground at training.
He kicked them towards us
as if he were shooting.
Once, an old lady
who was passing by
tried to call the police
because we were being
brutally scolded.
While training, father
always gave us a demo.
But he's a human.
He makes mistakes as well.
He was dribbling
and made a mistake.
And being young, I told my
brother, "Dad is so lucky,"
and my brother asked, "Why?"
"He doesn't get scolded
when he makes mistakes."
I still remember saying
something like that.
That's how much
I was afraid of my dad.
I was so frightened to make
a mistake, I remember saying
that during the training.
Turn around and keep
your head up! Focus!
Naturally, kids would lose
focus, then I would...
People thought I was his
step-father because I was
so harsh on Sonny.
There was a a study-abroad
programme at the Korean
Football Association.
Our family had a difficult
financial situation at the time.
But I wanted to go abroad.
So we prepared really hard
for that programme.
German scouts came
to observe youth players.
It was a programme where
scouts came from Nurnberg FC,
Hamburger SV,
to pick three players each -
total six players.
I was confident because
I was good in training.
I was confident
of going to Germany.
Luckily, I was selected
to go to Germany.
On the first day, I thought
what if I can't get
the contract here?
Because my dad told me
before I left,
you got to the place
you've dreamt of.
The professional world.
It took over my head.
My parents invested
so much time in me.
Wouldn't they be disappointed
if I didn't get the contract?
That's all I thought of.
That was the first time
he was in the spotlight.
The light was shed
on young Sonny,
who nobody heard of before.
Everyone was surprised.
He broke his foot shortly after.
What concerned me the most was
due to the injury,
he might lose the opportunity
to adapt and develop
as a professional player,
reminding him of the lesson
to thoroughly prepare
for what comes ahead.
Son's return after
a three-month gap from injury,
Bundesliga debut,
when the ball was played in,
Son made his run.
Son saw the goalkeeper
coming off his line,
lifted the ball
with his right foot,
lobbed the goalkeeper
and tapped the ball
into the empty net.
That amazing move from
an 18-year-old boy surprised
the German media. They said he'd
be a leading player in Hamburg.
He's likeable
and a very good player.
He's good at long shots
and he can score goals.
And also a good dribbler.
I remember a game
against Dortmund
when he scored a beautiful goal.
We won it 4-1, I think,
and he scored
two or three goals.
I remember it quite vividly.
Those were good times.
He played his part
in his team winning.
He always tries to improve
and is often dissatisfied
with himself
and that is a great
character trait.
He came back from the Asian Cup
having gained 4kg.
Most matches were played
at night,
and I didn't get much
game time.
It was late when we came home.
Those who played
ate to recover.
But I didn't know that
and ate too much.
They talk behind him saying,
"He's done."
The season was over and we
had come back to Korea.
But I told Sonny,
"I'm not coming.
I feel ashamed to go back
to Korea. I'm embarrassed."
Dad told me he's too
embarrassed to go back.
I told him I wanted
to go back to Korea.
"I'll do everything
you tell me to do.
If you tell me to train
three times a day, I will."
Because I really wanted
to go back home.
I was young.
It was deadly, almost
three sessions a day.
I would wake up in the morning,
lift weights and then
go to the training centre,
make 1,000 shots,
have lunch, take some rest and
go back out in the afternoon.
Train with the kids
dad was teaching.
I sent him back to Germany
after not giving him a day
of rest during the break.
But they didn't recognise Sonny.
Because he lost so much weight.
He had no fat on his cheeks.
That was when I had
the Champions League
in mind already.
So when I was making a move,
I chose a team that qualified
for the Champions League.
For the past 40 years in the
Bundesliga, I've never seen
any player who could shoot as
well as Sonny with both feet.
That's part of the reason
why we scouted him.
I'm the one who has to do
my best at the stadium
and needs to pour everything
out at the stadium,
and even if it sounds boring,
I try to stay at home.
Not much to do being alone here.
I fully concentrate
for ten months a year,
and when I am on holidays
outside the season
I go easy, relaxed.
When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.
When I am in Germany, the
first step is to learn German
to let the Germans recognise me.
I have to be able to speak in
English when I am in England.
Learning the language
of the country means
to respect their culture,
people, country.
It also seems important
to show that I'm learning.
I thought so and felt it
important, especially
living in Germany.
Living in the camp with people
from all around the world,
that was hard at first,
honestly.
I can be a bit
harsh on myself.
"Oh, I must survive here,"
bearing this in my mind.
I told myself, "Hang in there,"
chewing my bread every morning.
We believed in him,
in his big talent
and he's made phenomenal
progress since then.
During his last year
at Leverkusen,
he got several offers
from top clubs,
in the Premier League
and Tottenham.
The physical factor seems more
required here than in Germany,
so I feel [the Premier League]
is way harder.
Money is an advantage
to recruit better players
especially in
the Premier League.
That means intense competition
follows within the team.
If you are not well prepared,
the league could be
more physically and mentally
tough than expected.
Father was a strict teacher.
He would punish me or yell
at me if I've done wrong.
But now I'm thinking back
and have to admit that
that strictness had
a strong influence on me.
If you lower your head,
you can't figure out
the situation around you.
Can't sense attack patterns,
speed, etc, can't follow up.
This became a habit of mine
since I was a kid.
Even now during training
with other players.
I automatically turn
my head and look.
And I've kept doing this.
Pochettino seemed
impressed with that.
I should kick the ball
into Dad's hands
because that makes it easy
to throw back to me,
otherwise he has to bend
to pick the ball up.
I was paying quite
good attention to this.
Once, it was the team's
rehab training day.
I did the ball lifting drill
for about 20 minutes,
which was what
I used to do always.
A few players were
still around there,
chatting with other
after their training session.
They started watching me
doing that drill
all the way for 20 minutes.
They left when I left.
All the mates there
clapped me.
Should put the ball
onto your instep.
It takes about
40 minutes to finish.
And if you drop the ball there,
if the ball drops to the ground
before 40 minutes are done,
then the fierce scolding
would be started.
That is how I've trained him.
Last! One more! Last!
The fact that I was able
to teach my son by myself,
with my own hands
not with others,
I feel really happy
and lucky for that.
I feel really happy
and lucky for that.
I am still so sorry
for the children.
I often cry alone in my heart.
I must help him to focus
on kicking the balls.
Back from training, let him
have his own space to relax in.
But he shouldn't have
to do such management himself.
It's just nonsense.
What is your father to you?
Always, my answer is the same
for this whenever, wherever.
He is my soccer senior,
soccer friend, soccer teacher.
A really good father
and the one whose everything
is perfect for me.
I've watched football
matches many times.
But definitely I feel
the passion heating up
in the stadium.
The weather is cold, but
the atmosphere on the site
is hot, I feel.
I am very excited to watch Son
play in the UK for
the first time.
It was touching how many
British fans in the stadium
gave a thumbs up once
they recognised the Koreans.
Even outside the stadium
after the game,
they continued to
give us compliments.
Oh, this "Son Heung-min effect"
is just amazing.
How have you been?
Are you well?
You're just awesome.
Been a while.
I rely on him all the time.
Whatever I do, he is the one
who has my back.
He is like my big brother
I can learn a lot from.
I saved Heung-min's number
in my mobile under the name
"Son-Shine".
When I get good news that he
wins the game or scores a goal,
that makes my day.
Good mood all day long.
Just couldn't think of anything
else but sunshine, "Son-Shine".
I believe he is sunshine
to many of us.
I am so glad you came.
Is that so?
I saw a few players running on
the pitch even after the game.
Those who didn't get to play
much in the match today.
Was it like some sort of
supplementary training?
Yes, like a post-game training.
I did it a lot in
the first season right
after I joined Tottenham.
Because I didn't get
many chances to play.
That is really tough.
Is that right?
It's tough to stay mentally
focused when you missed playing.
And that post-game training
is more intense than
your expectation.
Not playing in the matches
must have an impact.
Right? In a more
psychological way.
Of course it does.
I have been there.
I've done that as well.
Mentally, it is really
tough to deal with.
But you just
have to pull through.
It is inevitable
for any players.
So we have to go over it.
Like I said, for those who
work hard, the opportunity
comes around.
Even if I didn't get to play
on the pitch, I did give
everything in training.
I wanted to play on the pitch.
Wanted it so badly.
You always manage yourself
well enough to be in
the starting line-up.
I never take it for granted.
I just try hard. That's all.
If you stay here long enough...
can't help dreaming about
delicious food back in Korea.
Oh, full of tasty choices
in Korea.
What do you normally have
when you travel back?
I am craving BunSik.
I love them too.
Tteokbokki is the best when
watching football, your match.
Tteokbokki with a glass of
chilled beer and watch
your game.
Tteokbokki and Bibim Mandu
as night snacks.
Jjolmyeon and Bibim Mandu.
But you know, I don't even
think of night snacking here.
I go to bed too early in fact.
You go to bed at ten.
You go to bed at ten?
Yes, to bed early but
when I am back in Korea,
I can see myself ending up
staying up a little
later than usual.
Hate to waste time
even a minute here.
How pitiful.
I stay up late, I even try
to do that when I am in Korea.
And wake up early naturally.
I stay up as late as possible.
How long do you normally
stay in Korea after the season?
It depends on the circumstances,
usually about six weeks.
-Six weeks?
-Four to six weeks.
It's for quite some time then?
I didn't even remember how
I played today's match.
Today?
You did great.
It is just another day
passing by. I often feel empty.
Especially after the match.
I think I know what
you mean by that.
Right after the match,
on the same day.
There is emptiness coming in.
Yes. I feel so empty.
I know what it is.
Maybe a different kind of
emptiness. I definitely know
the emptiness you feel.
You were surrounded
by shouts of crowds.
-When I get home...
-It is total silence.
When I am back home
and lie down...
I try to sleep... by putting
myself down to bed.
My body feels so tired.
People might wonder,
"How can he not sleep? He must
be exhausted after the game."
The first goal in the new
stadium probably
will be talked over
for the next 100 years.
I think it's such an honour
to be able to play
in such a stadium,
and I also think it's been
a great day to set up such
a wonderful record.
My hope is to do better
than the previous season.
So I wish I can perform better
this season again than
the last season.
Sonny is an inspiration to
many people at the moment
so I can say he will be
remembered for a long time.
Son Heung-min, my brother,
you are already Mexican.
Here in Mexico,
many football fans
call him "Son-Naldo"!
Referring to a mash-up of
Son's name with that of Ronaldo
because he is a player who
really shows his ability
when his team most needs him
and he really stands out
for the team.
I think the example Son sets
of excelling when
someone needs you is something
we can all learn from.
I think Son Heung-min is
the coolest player from Korea.
I think Son Heung-min is
the best player in Asia.
He is a great football player.
He has surpassed
the Asian standard.
I think he has
physical condition,
technique, sharpness
and mentality
that has never been seen
before from Asian players.
He can play in any league
in the world.
I have no doubt.
I played nine years in Europe
and I can't break the remaining
prejudice against Asians.
I still feel it completely.
When I first went to Germany,
life was harder than I thought.
Clearly, breaking the prejudice
toward an Asian player
requires a tremendous amount
of a series of effort.
In many ways it could take
more time than local players.
But you have to prove
yourself anyway.
These are difficult parts.
I can only say, by showing
what I am good at in the stadium
and ignoring their
discrimination.
My way of facing against
racism should be
on the field, I think.
It is an award ceremony
for the teams and players
based in London.
I've been nominated
to be honoured.
I am dressing up for
this meaningful event.
It would be better
if I won the award,
but taking part
is worthwhile either way.
I feel a little
nervous tonight.
I'd feel a lot less nervous
at the match in the stadium.
This is a house that
brought a lot to me.
Since I moved in here,
I started playing
the game in the team
and I got good results.
Definitely this home
brought me so much luck.
So while I am organising
to move out,
even at this moment
I am getting a bit emotional.
I have bittersweet,
mixed feelings.
The reason I decided
to move was
either for this place
or at the new place
we will move into soon,
the key point to consider is
Heung-min's performance.
Choose a location close
to the training ground
and not too much noise for him.
Mine is a father's heart that
wants his son to focus
on soccer.
Do you like it, Father?
No, I'm going to get rid
of all those things.
This would be Heung-min's room.
Likewise, it will be
a minimalist interior.
Hello, let me introduce
my new home.
It's been only a few days
since I moved in.
As you see, nothing's here,
no ornaments.
My father likes a space
being neat and tidy.
He doesn't like
leaving things around.
This is my dressing room that
people expect to see the most.
Actually, the wardrobes
I ordered didn't arrive yet
so please understand my
clothes are hung out roughly
like this as
a temporary measure.
I haven't unpacked all of them
yet, still lots in the boxes.
The reason I like clothes is,
honestly, I like to spruce up
myself when I go to play.
Not that I want to be seen
as chic, but I have much
interest in fashion.
The commuting times are the
only chance I get to dress up.
I feel good when I see
well-organised clothes like this
and I get excited when I choose
what to wear the next day.
This is another of my hobbies.
Nowadays, almost all soccer
players are well-dressed.
It seems that fashion is a part
of the soccer player's life.
So I think it is necessary
to keep up with this theme.
This is my bathroom.
I don't need to show you
this place, do I?
I get cleaned here.
Really, the reason
I moved in here is...
this has quite a few
great facilities,
besides the convenience
to my soccer life.
Swimming pool, gym,
cinema, sauna, etc.
This place has choices to relax,
this is why I moved in.
There are many days the game
finishes late and I suffer
from insomnia.
Then I can go to the
swimming pool straight away.
That helps me recover.
And the gym is not big
but very well equipped.
I can concentrate entirely
on my play and recovery.
I'm glad I moved into
such a nice house.
And this is the end of the show
introducing Son Heung-min's
house, bye.
Everybody forecast City
as the winners,
and they were saying that City
would easily beat us.
I had a gut feeling when
I scored the second goal.
From the first touch
I was already planning
the next move in my head.
The first touch was brilliant,
and I dropped the ball exactly
where I wanted it to be.
The shot was so well struck.
If you look at the scene
again in slow motion,
you will see me running to
celebrate as soon as I shot.
That is why the goal is more
meaningful for me, really.
I wouldn't trade it
for anything.
I couldn't play.
I felt so distressed. In fact,
not being able to play
in the match is the hardest
part for a footballer.
I kept telling myself
to overcome this hardship.
My teammates gave their all
and I took a rest
as I couldn't play.
Next game, I'll play harder
than the rest of the team.
I'll send my positive energy
to them for this game.
Do you think you can still
overcome the score and win?
I believe we can do it.
Ajax won their away game
and we can do likewise.
It's important for us
players to have faith.
Nothing is impossible if you
play with "you can do it"
spirit.
Hello.
Where are you heading now?
Ahead of game two against
Ajax in the Champions League.
Got a meeting call from
the team so I'm going now.
All's well that ends well.
I hope we can get some
good results for sure.
Football is a team sport.
I can't build an incredible
record by myself, no one can.
There were times I've slipped
over at the final pivotal step.
Or been exposed to
physical problems too.
The champions are those
who overcome all these aspects.
We will never give up because
this is a chance of a lifetime.
Honestly, how many people
do you think were expecting
us going to the semi-finals
or Ajax going there?
It was certain that
we are a good team.
We had no reason to be
afraid or feel panic.
You can see clearly, it is still
a long way to the stadium.
Experience of these
kinds of big matches
to help growth as a better
player is what Heung-min
and I both wish.
From the moment going into
the stadium, I saw the trophy.
I see the spectators, supporters
are cheering half on each side.
The pitch is in
the finest condition.
As I stepped into
the stadium...
I got chills.
How could I put it?
I appreciate the huge
expectation from people
and I hate to lose
such a big game.
It was very hard to swallow
the defeat for myself.
I say to him before each match,
"Don't be greedy.
Empty your mind.
Even if the game doesn't go
well, it's your favourite,
football.
You should enjoy, feel happy."
I'm still young.
I'm not giving up.
I'm crossing over the threshold
of the grand journey
toward higher mountains.
I know my fans have been giving
me a lot of support and love
and that gives me
the strength to overcome.
I'll work hard to show you
how much I've improved.
I relieve my stress
by playing football.
I am a lucky person.
I've never regretted playing
football for a single
day of my life.
Football is everything
in my life.
After I wake up,
I'm going to train.
How often do you drive?
Of course, nearly every day.
Because I have to go to work
and I have to go home.
Sometimes if my car
is at the club,
then one of my friends
will pick me up,
as most of the players
live close to me.
Harry Kane is two minutes away.
Really close.
So sometimes I ask them,
but most of it I drive myself.
So do you like my driving?
Oh, you're a great driver!
Not so much.
Just wondering whether
you're comfortable or not.
I'm really comfortable
right now.
Even though
I'll arrive at 9:00am,
the training doesn't
start until 10:30.
Since there's still
plenty of time,
I will have breakfast.
Now I'm hungry
as I didn't have any.
I will have a breakfast and
get ready before I start.
Here we are now.
Harry Kane is very
passionate and
he also has tonnes of things
to learn outside the field.
Dele dances by himself
when he is excited.
He is very innocent,
like a child.
I love this opportunity,
to play with these players.
I enjoy it as much as I can.
Those opportunities
are not given to everyone.
Dele, Eriksen,
Harry Kane and me
seem to be called D.E.S.K
as an acronym,
four main strikers,
the core offence.
For now, we've hit it off well.
Eriksen, Dele Alli,
Harry Kane -
we've been playing for
almost four years.
Now I know what they like
and also
I know exactly where
to go on the field
when they position themselves.
When the fans came and asked
for autographs, my hands
would shake.
At first, you were nervous,
but you are used to it now?
It is not about
getting used to it.
It is rather now what you have
to do as a football player.
Welcome to my hometown.
Have you been here before?
No, I've only come here
before the construction.
This is the first visit, first
since the work has been done.
How long has it been
since you last visited?
About three years, maybe more.
His first visit
in almost three years.
Do you have a lot
of memories here?
Oh, definitely.
I grew up here.
Ever since he was born,
he was a charming boy.
Always a smiley face
while growing up.
Baby Son's favourite toy
was always a ball.
He kicked a ball around in
his room when he turned toddler.
All good?
Good.
Nice to see you.
He lived in Germany for a while
so he speaks some German.
I'm coach Son Heung-Yoon
from Son's football academy.
I haven't seen him
in a long time.
How long has it been?
I think, last year...
We met a few times after
international matches.
But this is his first time
at the academy. We have
both been busy.
He's got cooler.
He's played in the
Champions League final.
Yeah, but he lost.
This is true brotherhood.
We're this strict to each other.
They only do keepie-uppies
all day.
Yeah, you get tired...
So they always look at me
to see if they'll be doing
something else today.
It was like that for us too.
If they get dribbling or passing
drills, they get really excited.
No keepie-uppies
is like a day off.
We trained about four times
more than they're doing.
They train indoors
when it's hot.
And they train in the shade
in the afternoon.
They train in the shade.
We trained in the sun.
On hard ground!
Once, me and my brother,
we had a fight over nothing.
You know, some brother stuff...
Dad got angry.
He brought two balls and
made us do keepie-uppies
for four hours
without dropping it.
You start to hallucinate!
We promised not to fight again
but that didn't last long.
Me and Heung-min had different
ways of dealing with dad.
I'm more like our father.
So I had more attitude
and would get punished for it.
But Heung-min was cheekier.
He acted like he's hurt
before dad punished him.
He would roll on the ground
before dad hit him.
So I got scolded a lot more.
Hey.
Having fun?
Is it tough?
Which grade are you guys in?
All in the fifth?
So this is elementary squad.
You guys nervous?
-Is it surprising?
-It's weird.
Weird? Do I look weird?
No, I feel weird!
You feel weird?
Feels like a dream.
What's so dreamy?
I'm like you guys.
You guys want to take
a picture with Son?
How do you concentrate better?
Concentration?
How do you concentrate better...
How would you...
You get told off a lot, right?
-Because you lack concentration?
-Yeah.
You need to concentrate
to not get called out.
Concentrate to not get scolded.
You learn as you get scolded.
Understand?
How long did you train for
when you were growing up
in Chuncheon?
How long did I train for?
Yeah, when you were young.
I did the same as you guys.
But I got scolded even more.
This way to the side!
Show your sole to
the next person. That's it!
The foot should be up this way.
Leave the hands. Strength.
They need to master the basics
to become a football player.
So they must train repetitively
until they master the skills.
I think the fundamentals
are important for anything.
You need to master the basics
to move on to the next stage.
You want to move on without
doing so? That's nonsense.
Fundamentals
need to be mastered,
and players who've done it
will grow further.
They have higher potential
to achieve success, I believe.
My approach was a regime
that makes you comfortable
on the ball.
For young kids, this needs
to be a priority,
and it's the most
important thing, anyway.
So we did a regime that involves
ball control for two hours.
Sonny did this for
about six years.
I was a typical kid who liked
football but hated to study.
How much did you like football?
I really loved football
since I was a kid.
This is where Sonny started
playing football until
he graduated.
Until he graduated
from this primary.
He only wanted to play football
when he wasn't eating.
"Physical movement is excellent
and loves football".
One day, young Sonny told me he
wanted to be a football player.
But former footballers mostly
don't want their children
to become players.
Because we know how
difficult it is.
Parents want their kids
to have a comfortable life.
He was so firm about it
so I asked twice.
But he was very young,
what did he know?
Sonny just loved football.
It must have been hard
raising your kid to be
a footballer?
Right. As a parent,
if your kids want to do
the same as you used to do,
something you weren't
as good at,
and you teach them how, you
really have to be thorough.
It's hard ground here. It was
the same back then as well.
Every year from October to
December, I put a hundred
bags of salt on the ground.
More than a hundred bags
of salt over this ground.
-A bag of salt?
-A bag of salt.
I hung a bag of salt
on a small truck,
drove around the field.
With salt on the ground,
snow melts quicker in winter.
When summer comes,
it gets really dry here.
But that salty ground
stays quite fluffy
so you won't injure yourself
as much when you trip over.
And here you see where
the pull-up bars are now.
When it would snow, I'd come
out early in the morning
and sweep at least
a ten metre radius area
to make a space for Sonny
to train even by himself
at any time,
even in the snow right here.
Never skipped a training
session. Not a day. 365 days.
What kind of training did
you do with your father?
Honestly, a lot of really
intense things. For example...
running keepie-uppies,
three laps around the field.
One lap with your left leg
and one with your right.
And another with both feet.
This was really tough.
Because it isn't about pace.
It requires a real technique.
If I ever drop the ball
while running,
even on the second lap,
I'd have to start over
from the first lap.
Now we have a nice grass pitch
but there are memories left
on the school field.
When my kids did an
around-the-cone dribble,
I drew on the ground
as if with a compass.
You draw like this
and you have a circle.
But this is too small,
so I would do another pass.
And then you do
another one here.
You draw here then you
make them touch, like this.
Now you have figure eight.
I drew this so many times
so I could see my sock through
the hole on the tip of my shoes.
He couldn't stand to wait.
He couldn't spank us
on the bottom
because he wouldn't wait
for us to bend over.
We would have 10-20 balls
on the ground at training.
He kicked them towards us
as if he were shooting.
Once, an old lady
who was passing by
tried to call the police
because we were being
brutally scolded.
While training, father
always gave us a demo.
But he's a human.
He makes mistakes as well.
He was dribbling
and made a mistake.
And being young, I told my
brother, "Dad is so lucky,"
and my brother asked, "Why?"
"He doesn't get scolded
when he makes mistakes."
I still remember saying
something like that.
That's how much
I was afraid of my dad.
I was so frightened to make
a mistake, I remember saying
that during the training.
Turn around and keep
your head up! Focus!
Naturally, kids would lose
focus, then I would...
People thought I was his
step-father because I was
so harsh on Sonny.
There was a a study-abroad
programme at the Korean
Football Association.
Our family had a difficult
financial situation at the time.
But I wanted to go abroad.
So we prepared really hard
for that programme.
German scouts came
to observe youth players.
It was a programme where
scouts came from Nurnberg FC,
Hamburger SV,
to pick three players each -
total six players.
I was confident because
I was good in training.
I was confident
of going to Germany.
Luckily, I was selected
to go to Germany.
On the first day, I thought
what if I can't get
the contract here?
Because my dad told me
before I left,
you got to the place
you've dreamt of.
The professional world.
It took over my head.
My parents invested
so much time in me.
Wouldn't they be disappointed
if I didn't get the contract?
That's all I thought of.
That was the first time
he was in the spotlight.
The light was shed
on young Sonny,
who nobody heard of before.
Everyone was surprised.
He broke his foot shortly after.
What concerned me the most was
due to the injury,
he might lose the opportunity
to adapt and develop
as a professional player,
reminding him of the lesson
to thoroughly prepare
for what comes ahead.
Son's return after
a three-month gap from injury,
Bundesliga debut,
when the ball was played in,
Son made his run.
Son saw the goalkeeper
coming off his line,
lifted the ball
with his right foot,
lobbed the goalkeeper
and tapped the ball
into the empty net.
That amazing move from
an 18-year-old boy surprised
the German media. They said he'd
be a leading player in Hamburg.
He's likeable
and a very good player.
He's good at long shots
and he can score goals.
And also a good dribbler.
I remember a game
against Dortmund
when he scored a beautiful goal.
We won it 4-1, I think,
and he scored
two or three goals.
I remember it quite vividly.
Those were good times.
He played his part
in his team winning.
He always tries to improve
and is often dissatisfied
with himself
and that is a great
character trait.
He came back from the Asian Cup
having gained 4kg.
Most matches were played
at night,
and I didn't get much
game time.
It was late when we came home.
Those who played
ate to recover.
But I didn't know that
and ate too much.
They talk behind him saying,
"He's done."
The season was over and we
had come back to Korea.
But I told Sonny,
"I'm not coming.
I feel ashamed to go back
to Korea. I'm embarrassed."
Dad told me he's too
embarrassed to go back.
I told him I wanted
to go back to Korea.
"I'll do everything
you tell me to do.
If you tell me to train
three times a day, I will."
Because I really wanted
to go back home.
I was young.
It was deadly, almost
three sessions a day.
I would wake up in the morning,
lift weights and then
go to the training centre,
make 1,000 shots,
have lunch, take some rest and
go back out in the afternoon.
Train with the kids
dad was teaching.
I sent him back to Germany
after not giving him a day
of rest during the break.
But they didn't recognise Sonny.
Because he lost so much weight.
He had no fat on his cheeks.
That was when I had
the Champions League
in mind already.
So when I was making a move,
I chose a team that qualified
for the Champions League.
For the past 40 years in the
Bundesliga, I've never seen
any player who could shoot as
well as Sonny with both feet.
That's part of the reason
why we scouted him.
I'm the one who has to do
my best at the stadium
and needs to pour everything
out at the stadium,
and even if it sounds boring,
I try to stay at home.
Not much to do being alone here.
I fully concentrate
for ten months a year,
and when I am on holidays
outside the season
I go easy, relaxed.
When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.
When I am in Germany, the
first step is to learn German
to let the Germans recognise me.
I have to be able to speak in
English when I am in England.
Learning the language
of the country means
to respect their culture,
people, country.
It also seems important
to show that I'm learning.
I thought so and felt it
important, especially
living in Germany.
Living in the camp with people
from all around the world,
that was hard at first,
honestly.
I can be a bit
harsh on myself.
"Oh, I must survive here,"
bearing this in my mind.
I told myself, "Hang in there,"
chewing my bread every morning.
We believed in him,
in his big talent
and he's made phenomenal
progress since then.
During his last year
at Leverkusen,
he got several offers
from top clubs,
in the Premier League
and Tottenham.
The physical factor seems more
required here than in Germany,
so I feel [the Premier League]
is way harder.
Money is an advantage
to recruit better players
especially in
the Premier League.
That means intense competition
follows within the team.
If you are not well prepared,
the league could be
more physically and mentally
tough than expected.
Father was a strict teacher.
He would punish me or yell
at me if I've done wrong.
But now I'm thinking back
and have to admit that
that strictness had
a strong influence on me.
If you lower your head,
you can't figure out
the situation around you.
Can't sense attack patterns,
speed, etc, can't follow up.
This became a habit of mine
since I was a kid.
Even now during training
with other players.
I automatically turn
my head and look.
And I've kept doing this.
Pochettino seemed
impressed with that.
I should kick the ball
into Dad's hands
because that makes it easy
to throw back to me,
otherwise he has to bend
to pick the ball up.
I was paying quite
good attention to this.
Once, it was the team's
rehab training day.
I did the ball lifting drill
for about 20 minutes,
which was what
I used to do always.
A few players were
still around there,
chatting with other
after their training session.
They started watching me
doing that drill
all the way for 20 minutes.
They left when I left.
All the mates there
clapped me.
Should put the ball
onto your instep.
It takes about
40 minutes to finish.
And if you drop the ball there,
if the ball drops to the ground
before 40 minutes are done,
then the fierce scolding
would be started.
That is how I've trained him.
Last! One more! Last!
The fact that I was able
to teach my son by myself,
with my own hands
not with others,
I feel really happy
and lucky for that.
I feel really happy
and lucky for that.
I am still so sorry
for the children.
I often cry alone in my heart.
I must help him to focus
on kicking the balls.
Back from training, let him
have his own space to relax in.
But he shouldn't have
to do such management himself.
It's just nonsense.
What is your father to you?
Always, my answer is the same
for this whenever, wherever.
He is my soccer senior,
soccer friend, soccer teacher.
A really good father
and the one whose everything
is perfect for me.
I've watched football
matches many times.
But definitely I feel
the passion heating up
in the stadium.
The weather is cold, but
the atmosphere on the site
is hot, I feel.
I am very excited to watch Son
play in the UK for
the first time.
It was touching how many
British fans in the stadium
gave a thumbs up once
they recognised the Koreans.
Even outside the stadium
after the game,
they continued to
give us compliments.
Oh, this "Son Heung-min effect"
is just amazing.
How have you been?
Are you well?
You're just awesome.
Been a while.
I rely on him all the time.
Whatever I do, he is the one
who has my back.
He is like my big brother
I can learn a lot from.
I saved Heung-min's number
in my mobile under the name
"Son-Shine".
When I get good news that he
wins the game or scores a goal,
that makes my day.
Good mood all day long.
Just couldn't think of anything
else but sunshine, "Son-Shine".
I believe he is sunshine
to many of us.
I am so glad you came.
Is that so?
I saw a few players running on
the pitch even after the game.
Those who didn't get to play
much in the match today.
Was it like some sort of
supplementary training?
Yes, like a post-game training.
I did it a lot in
the first season right
after I joined Tottenham.
Because I didn't get
many chances to play.
That is really tough.
Is that right?
It's tough to stay mentally
focused when you missed playing.
And that post-game training
is more intense than
your expectation.
Not playing in the matches
must have an impact.
Right? In a more
psychological way.
Of course it does.
I have been there.
I've done that as well.
Mentally, it is really
tough to deal with.
But you just
have to pull through.
It is inevitable
for any players.
So we have to go over it.
Like I said, for those who
work hard, the opportunity
comes around.
Even if I didn't get to play
on the pitch, I did give
everything in training.
I wanted to play on the pitch.
Wanted it so badly.
You always manage yourself
well enough to be in
the starting line-up.
I never take it for granted.
I just try hard. That's all.
If you stay here long enough...
can't help dreaming about
delicious food back in Korea.
Oh, full of tasty choices
in Korea.
What do you normally have
when you travel back?
I am craving BunSik.
I love them too.
Tteokbokki is the best when
watching football, your match.
Tteokbokki with a glass of
chilled beer and watch
your game.
Tteokbokki and Bibim Mandu
as night snacks.
Jjolmyeon and Bibim Mandu.
But you know, I don't even
think of night snacking here.
I go to bed too early in fact.
You go to bed at ten.
You go to bed at ten?
Yes, to bed early but
when I am back in Korea,
I can see myself ending up
staying up a little
later than usual.
Hate to waste time
even a minute here.
How pitiful.
I stay up late, I even try
to do that when I am in Korea.
And wake up early naturally.
I stay up as late as possible.
How long do you normally
stay in Korea after the season?
It depends on the circumstances,
usually about six weeks.
-Six weeks?
-Four to six weeks.
It's for quite some time then?
I didn't even remember how
I played today's match.
Today?
You did great.
It is just another day
passing by. I often feel empty.
Especially after the match.
I think I know what
you mean by that.
Right after the match,
on the same day.
There is emptiness coming in.
Yes. I feel so empty.
I know what it is.
Maybe a different kind of
emptiness. I definitely know
the emptiness you feel.
You were surrounded
by shouts of crowds.
-When I get home...
-It is total silence.
When I am back home
and lie down...
I try to sleep... by putting
myself down to bed.
My body feels so tired.
People might wonder,
"How can he not sleep? He must
be exhausted after the game."
The first goal in the new
stadium probably
will be talked over
for the next 100 years.
I think it's such an honour
to be able to play
in such a stadium,
and I also think it's been
a great day to set up such
a wonderful record.
My hope is to do better
than the previous season.
So I wish I can perform better
this season again than
the last season.
Sonny is an inspiration to
many people at the moment
so I can say he will be
remembered for a long time.
Son Heung-min, my brother,
you are already Mexican.
Here in Mexico,
many football fans
call him "Son-Naldo"!
Referring to a mash-up of
Son's name with that of Ronaldo
because he is a player who
really shows his ability
when his team most needs him
and he really stands out
for the team.
I think the example Son sets
of excelling when
someone needs you is something
we can all learn from.
I think Son Heung-min is
the coolest player from Korea.
I think Son Heung-min is
the best player in Asia.
He is a great football player.
He has surpassed
the Asian standard.
I think he has
physical condition,
technique, sharpness
and mentality
that has never been seen
before from Asian players.
He can play in any league
in the world.
I have no doubt.
I played nine years in Europe
and I can't break the remaining
prejudice against Asians.
I still feel it completely.
When I first went to Germany,
life was harder than I thought.
Clearly, breaking the prejudice
toward an Asian player
requires a tremendous amount
of a series of effort.
In many ways it could take
more time than local players.
But you have to prove
yourself anyway.
These are difficult parts.
I can only say, by showing
what I am good at in the stadium
and ignoring their
discrimination.
My way of facing against
racism should be
on the field, I think.
It is an award ceremony
for the teams and players
based in London.
I've been nominated
to be honoured.
I am dressing up for
this meaningful event.
It would be better
if I won the award,
but taking part
is worthwhile either way.
I feel a little
nervous tonight.
I'd feel a lot less nervous
at the match in the stadium.
This is a house that
brought a lot to me.
Since I moved in here,
I started playing
the game in the team
and I got good results.
Definitely this home
brought me so much luck.
So while I am organising
to move out,
even at this moment
I am getting a bit emotional.
I have bittersweet,
mixed feelings.
The reason I decided
to move was
either for this place
or at the new place
we will move into soon,
the key point to consider is
Heung-min's performance.
Choose a location close
to the training ground
and not too much noise for him.
Mine is a father's heart that
wants his son to focus
on soccer.
Do you like it, Father?
No, I'm going to get rid
of all those things.
This would be Heung-min's room.
Likewise, it will be
a minimalist interior.
Hello, let me introduce
my new home.
It's been only a few days
since I moved in.
As you see, nothing's here,
no ornaments.
My father likes a space
being neat and tidy.
He doesn't like
leaving things around.
This is my dressing room that
people expect to see the most.
Actually, the wardrobes
I ordered didn't arrive yet
so please understand my
clothes are hung out roughly
like this as
a temporary measure.
I haven't unpacked all of them
yet, still lots in the boxes.
The reason I like clothes is,
honestly, I like to spruce up
myself when I go to play.
Not that I want to be seen
as chic, but I have much
interest in fashion.
The commuting times are the
only chance I get to dress up.
I feel good when I see
well-organised clothes like this
and I get excited when I choose
what to wear the next day.
This is another of my hobbies.
Nowadays, almost all soccer
players are well-dressed.
It seems that fashion is a part
of the soccer player's life.
So I think it is necessary
to keep up with this theme.
This is my bathroom.
I don't need to show you
this place, do I?
I get cleaned here.
Really, the reason
I moved in here is...
this has quite a few
great facilities,
besides the convenience
to my soccer life.
Swimming pool, gym,
cinema, sauna, etc.
This place has choices to relax,
this is why I moved in.
There are many days the game
finishes late and I suffer
from insomnia.
Then I can go to the
swimming pool straight away.
That helps me recover.
And the gym is not big
but very well equipped.
I can concentrate entirely
on my play and recovery.
I'm glad I moved into
such a nice house.
And this is the end of the show
introducing Son Heung-min's
house, bye.
Everybody forecast City
as the winners,
and they were saying that City
would easily beat us.
I had a gut feeling when
I scored the second goal.
From the first touch
I was already planning
the next move in my head.
The first touch was brilliant,
and I dropped the ball exactly
where I wanted it to be.
The shot was so well struck.
If you look at the scene
again in slow motion,
you will see me running to
celebrate as soon as I shot.
That is why the goal is more
meaningful for me, really.
I wouldn't trade it
for anything.
I couldn't play.
I felt so distressed. In fact,
not being able to play
in the match is the hardest
part for a footballer.
I kept telling myself
to overcome this hardship.
My teammates gave their all
and I took a rest
as I couldn't play.
Next game, I'll play harder
than the rest of the team.
I'll send my positive energy
to them for this game.
Do you think you can still
overcome the score and win?
I believe we can do it.
Ajax won their away game
and we can do likewise.
It's important for us
players to have faith.
Nothing is impossible if you
play with "you can do it"
spirit.
Hello.
Where are you heading now?
Ahead of game two against
Ajax in the Champions League.
Got a meeting call from
the team so I'm going now.
All's well that ends well.
I hope we can get some
good results for sure.
Football is a team sport.
I can't build an incredible
record by myself, no one can.
There were times I've slipped
over at the final pivotal step.
Or been exposed to
physical problems too.
The champions are those
who overcome all these aspects.
We will never give up because
this is a chance of a lifetime.
Honestly, how many people
do you think were expecting
us going to the semi-finals
or Ajax going there?
It was certain that
we are a good team.
We had no reason to be
afraid or feel panic.
You can see clearly, it is still
a long way to the stadium.
Experience of these
kinds of big matches
to help growth as a better
player is what Heung-min
and I both wish.
From the moment going into
the stadium, I saw the trophy.
I see the spectators, supporters
are cheering half on each side.
The pitch is in
the finest condition.
As I stepped into
the stadium...
I got chills.
How could I put it?
I appreciate the huge
expectation from people
and I hate to lose
such a big game.
It was very hard to swallow
the defeat for myself.
I say to him before each match,
"Don't be greedy.
Empty your mind.
Even if the game doesn't go
well, it's your favourite,
football.
You should enjoy, feel happy."
I'm still young.
I'm not giving up.
I'm crossing over the threshold
of the grand journey
toward higher mountains.
I know my fans have been giving
me a lot of support and love
and that gives me
the strength to overcome.
I'll work hard to show you
how much I've improved.
I relieve my stress
by playing football.
I am a lucky person.
I've never regretted playing
football for a single
day of my life.
Football is everything
in my life.