‘I should live like Son’: Footballer's positive vibes go viral after grass comment

Korean national team captain Son Heung-min smiles after talking with his teammate during a training session on March 20. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

For Korean national team captain Son Heung-min, it seems the grass is always greener.

Son’s positive energy is spreading online after a clip of him commenting about the grass of Seoul World Cup Stadium's pitch went viral.

A nine-second clip of Son talking with his Korean national teammates during a training session on March 20 was shared on Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Though Son's voice couldn’t be heard, netizens read his lips and found he was saying, "The grass condition isn’t good. But just think it is good then."

After the clip went viral, netizens commented on Son’s positive attitude, such as “[He is] truly super positive. I should also live like Son,” and “This is really funny.”

Others said that “Son’s mindset is similar to that of his father, Son Woong-jung,” in terms of overcoming hardships through one’s strong determination.

Many parodied Son’s lines, such as “If you don’t feel yourself as usual, just think that you are fine,” and “If we don’t win, just think we have won.”

The Korean national team recently played Thailand on March 21 and 26 in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Korea drew with Thailand on the March 21 game, held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul. However, Korea beat Thailand 3-0 in the second leg of a World Cup qualifier in Bangkok on March 26.

BY LEE HAY-JUNE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]