Son Heung Min’s Reconciliation Post With Lee Kang In Unexpectedly Turns Into A Successful Brand Promotion
Amidst the much-talked-about brawl between the Korean soccer stars Son Heung Min and Lee Kang In, the former recently broke his silence over the issue. However, that social media post ended up having a wildly unexpected byproduct.
The controversy, for those unaware, erupted after the South Korean national soccer team’s defeat at the Asian Cup. Reports of a physical altercation between Son Heung Min and Lee Kang In left the country shocked. Lee was accused of pushing Son, which ended up dislocating the latter’s fingers badly.
Though Lee Kang In’s legal representatives refuted the claims, and there were other suspicions over the intense publicization of this conflict, both the players, unfortunately, suffered from malicious attacks online.
On February 21, KST, Son effectively pulled the brakes on the growing theories of the two’s enmity after he uploaded a picture with Lee on his personal Instagram, along with a lengthy message talking about their reconciliation.
Hello, this is Son Heung Min. Today, I would like to talk about a heavy subject. Kang In has been sincerely reflecting on his actions and has apologized to me and all of the players in the national team.
When I was young, I also made mistakes, but at the time, I had good Sunbaenims who gave me strict lessons that allowed me to become the player I am today.
[…]
After that incident, Kang In is having a really hard time. I ask that you find it in your heart to forgive him. I am asking you as the captain of the national team. Please!
Also, the reports stating that the national team is split are all false, as we have always worked towards a common goal as one team. I apologize for causing such controversy despite the amount of love you have given us as football players. Our national team will work towards using this incident to become stronger. Again, I apologize as the captain of the national team.
— Son Heung Min
The post brought heaps of praise for Son, with many commending him for being the perfect example of how a national team’s captain should be. However, the post also had another unexpected effect.
In the picture, Son Heung Min was seen wearing a grey long-sleeved sweatshirt from NOS7, the brand founded by the soccer star himself.
The brand was started by Son in 2023, named after his name and his jersey number. The word “NOS” is his surname in reverse and also implies the phrase “Nothing, Ordinary Sunday,” which is a recurring motif in a lot of the brand’s product designs.
Immediately after Son posted the photo with Lee, the shirt, which retails for about ₩97,000 KRW (about $72.70 USD), went out of stock, showing the shocking power of Son’s brand reputation!
Whether it be in the field or outside, people’s love and admiration for “Sonny” Heung Min always seem to be overpouring!
