NewJeans’ Minji Bids Adieu To Soccer After First Ceremonial Kick
On August 3, KST, NewJeans performed at the halftime show of the Coupang Play Series match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich at the World Cup Stadium.
Apart from rocking the stadium with smash hits like “Attention,” “Hype Boy,” and “ETA,” the NewJeans members also dabbled in soccer. All five members participated in the ceremonial kickoff, drawing enthusiastic reactions from the crowd. Minji’s kick, however, became a hot topic overnight. Her powerful kick even drew in the applause of Thomas Müller!
민지 시축하는데 공 차는거 압도적이니까 중계석에서
<역시 체육계가 잃어버린 재능> ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ pic.twitter.com/2i4qyaIlMK— 밍곰 (@Minggom_16) August 3, 2024
Just like the live crowd, netizens were highly impressed by Minji’s skills. Soon enough, images of Minji launching the ball up in the air became a popular meme, especially because they resembled the logo of the soccer club Bundesliga a bit too much.
— 꼼 (@ggom_mj) August 3, 2024
Kim Minji 🫵😂 pic.twitter.com/Teo8S1uRi9
— Extra Time Indonesia (@idextratime) August 4, 2024
KIM MINJI AS BUNDESLIGA LOGO 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/PmGvf6cvtR
— Extra Time Indonesia (@idextratime) August 3, 2024
Despite this showering praise, the idol, thankfully, has no thoughts about switching careers as of yet. A few days after the match, when Minji went live on the fan communication app Phoning, fans flocked in to ask her questions about the experience. When asked if she felt nervous, she responded, “I had professional players in front and behind me. Of course, I was nervous.” She continued with a humorous tone, saying, “After the kick, I felt happy that it was over.”
During this livestream, Minji also mentioned that there was a low possibility of seeing NewJeans do a kickoff anytime soon, recalling the chaotic experience.
I don’t think I can ever do a ceremonial kickoff again. We were all so nervous, it was really chaotic…After rehearsals at night, I stayed with the managers and practiced a lot, saying, ‘I can’t do this.’ I don’t think I can ever do it again.
— Minji
While Minji might have been stressed out over this ceremonial kick, her on-field skills might have wooed a professional player without her even realizing it. Read more about it here.
