Korean footballer Cho Gue-sung's popularity explodes since Qatar World Cup
![Cho Gue-sung holds up a Korean flag after the match against Portugal on Friday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2022/12/05/77e27f3e-f6eb-458b-89dd-42c0790c6b2b.jpg)
Cho Gue-sung holds up a Korean flag after the match against Portugal on Friday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]
Korean national football player Cho Gue-sung’s popularity has skyrocketed since emerging as a star at the Qatar World Cup, gaining 2 million followers on social media overnight.
Cho’s Instagram account exceeded 2.2 million followers as of Monday, jumping hundredfold from some 20,000 to 30,000 followers before the World Cup began.
Cho ran the field as a substitute in the team's first match against Uruguay, but still managed to catch peoples' attentions for his strong plays and physical appearance.
In Korea's second game, against Ghana, Cho proved himself by scoring multiple goals. He was also selected for the best 11 for the second round of the group stage.
When Cho posted a photo of himself with the Korean flag on Instagram on Sunday, after the Taeguk Warriors’ advancement to the round of 16 was made definite, the post received more than 2 million likes and 50,000 comments.
Fans at home and abroad left comments of cheers and congratulations on Cho’s post, saying “we support you” and “let’s go to the finals.” Even Brazilian fans, though Korea plays Brazil next in the round of 16, expressed their support, saying “I support Brazil but I love you” and “Marry me” with the Brazilian flag.
Overseas media also praised Cho’s skills and appearance and dubbed him “The BTS of soccer.”
British sports media outlet The Athletic commended Cho’s play and looks and reported that “Korean forward Cho had to turn off his mobile because of floods of calls from fans.”
“Cho’s explosive popularity is not just because of his goal scoring,” said The Athletic. “It’s also because he is ridiculously handsome.”
Portuguese daily newspaper Público noted that “If Cho hadn’t been a soccer player, he would have thrived in the fashion world.”
British tabloid The Sun even said that Cho’s popularity could take over that of Son Heung-min.
BY JUNG SI-NAE [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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