Lee Dong-gook

Lee Dong-gook (Korean: 이동국, Korean pronunciation: [i.doŋ.ɡuk̚]; born 29 April 1979) is a South Korean former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is a record scorer in the K League 1, and had brief spells in Europe with Werder Bremen and Middlesbrough. He has earned 105 international caps for South Korea since 1998, scoring 33 goals. He has played at two FIFA World Cups, two AFC Asian Cups and the 2000 Summer Olympics. He is holding the record of being the oldest Korean player to still play in professional football. In October 2020, Lee announced his retirement from football at the end of the 2020 season.[1]

Lee Dong-gook
Lee in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1979-04-29) 29 April 1979
Place of birth Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1995–1998 Pohang Steelers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2007 Pohang Steelers 102 (38)
2000–2001 → Werder Bremen (loan) 7 (0)
2003–2005 → Gwangju Sangmu (draft) 46 (12)
2007–2008 Middlesbrough 23 (0)
2008 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 10 (2)
2009–2020 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 356 (162)
Total 544 (214)
National team
1998–1999 South Korea U20 9 (6)
1999–2002 South Korea U23 29 (20)
1998–2017 South Korea 105 (33)
Honours
Representing  South Korea
Men's football
AFC Asian Cup
2000 LebanonTeam
2007 Indonesia/Malaysia
/Thailand/Vietnam		Team
EAFF Championship
2010 Japan Team
Asian Games
2002 Busan Team
AFC Youth Championship
1998 Thailand Team
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
Lee Dong-gook
Hangul
이동국
Hanja
李同國
Revised RomanizationI Dong-guk
McCune–ReischauerI Tongguk
In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.

Club career

Pohang Steelers

Lee started playing football for Pohang Steelers and scored eleven goals with outstanding performance in his first season. He also contributed to team's title with two winning goals in the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship. He was named the K League Young Player of the Year and made his debut for the South Korea national team. In January 2001, he was sent on loan to Werder Bremen of Bundesliga but he did not settle in Bremen and only appeared seven matches as a substitute during six months. At the 2002 Korean FA Cup, he led Pohang to the final by scoring in the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final, but failed to win. In March 2003, he left Pohang to perform his military service, joining the military team Gwangju Sangmu for two years. Early in the 2006 season, his performance was at its height with six goals in seven matches.[2] In April 2006, however, he tore the cruciate ligaments in his knee while playing in a league match that forced him out for six months, and was unable to play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[3]

Middlesbrough

In January 2007, after being granted a work permit, Lee signed for Premier League club Middlesbrough on an 18-month contract.[4] On 24 February 2007, he made his debut, coming on as an 85th minute substitute for Yakubu in the 2–1 win against Reading.[5] On 29 August 2007, he scored his first goal against Northampton Town in the 2007–08 Football League Cup.[6] On 26 January 2008, he scored his second goal against Mansfield Town in the 2007–08 FA Cup.[7] However, he didn't score during 23 appearances in the Premier League and disappointed English fans.[8] His contract expired at the end of the 2007–08 season and Middlesbrough decided not to extend his contract.[9]

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Lee signed a contract with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in 2008. However, he was unsuccessful, and was transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the 2009 transfer window. On 15 March 2009, he scored a brace in his debut for Jeonbuk against Daegu FC. He became the top scorer in the 2009 K League, scoring 21 goals in 29 matches. Jeonbuk won the first league trophy in their history and he was named the Most Valuable Player. At the 2011 K League, he led team's second league title by recording 16 goals and 15 assists with 29 appearances. He became the Most Valuable Player and the top assist provider. He also led team to the 2011 AFC Champions League Final by scoring nine goals. Jeonbuk lost to Al Sadd after penalty shoot-out, but he was named the Most Valuable Player and top scorer. On 3 March 2012, he became the K League all-time leading scorer with 117 goals when he got two goals in the 2012 season opener against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.[10]

In 2013, Lee was involved in a bizarre incident in a K-League match against Seongnam FC when, while attempting to return the ball to Seongnam's goalkeeper after an injury stoppage, he accidentally struck it past him from 40 yards to level the score at 1–1. Jeonbuk goalkeeper Choi Eun-sung then sportingly scored an own goal on purpose to restore Seongnam's lead.[11]

On 15 March 2016, he scored his 30th AFC Champions League goal against Becamex Binh Duong and became the AFC Champions League all-time top scorer. On 26 November 2016, Jeonbuk won the 2016 AFC Champions League by defeating Al Ain in the final. On 2 June 2019, he scored his 200th career goal at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a match against Sangju Sangmu FC.[12]

On May 9 2020, Lee scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Suwon Bluewings, which was notable for being the first international league match, during the global COVID-19 pandemic.[13] On 1 November 2020, he played virtually last game of his 23-year playing career, and got his retirement ceremony immediately after the game. This game was the last round of the 2020 K League 1, and Jeonbuk decided their fourth successive title with 2–0 victory against Daegu FC.[14] On 8 November 2020, he played his last match as a substitute for eight minutes in the final of 2020 Korean FA Cup, getting his last trophy.

International career

Lee Dong-gook participated in the AFC U-19 Championship in 1998. He played with Kim Eun-jung as two top and led South Korea to win the title. Also, Lee was the top scorer and MVP of the competition.[15] Lee was a member of the South Korea national team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He also took part in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup and finished top scorer with six goals.

In 2002, Lee was not chosen by Guus Hiddink to represent South Korea in 2002 FIFA World Cup. Fans called him "Lazy Genius", because they felt that he did not fully use his potential. This is also because Hiddink emphasized strong stamina, great power, and agile speed, which are the categories that Lee struggles in, except power.[16][17] He later admitted that he spent his days drinking and did not watch a single game that took place during the 2002 World Cup.[18]

Lee was coach Dick Advocaat's first-choice selection at forward for Korea ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but a knee injury suffered in a K League match forced him to miss the tournament.[3] On 1 November 2007, Lee was banned from the national team for twelve months after it was revealed that he, along with team captain Lee Woon-jae, teammates Kim Sang-sik and Woo Sung-yong, went on a late night drinking spree with several female employees during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, in which Korea received third place.[19] Unlike the other members who were involved in this incident, because Lee played for Middlesbrough in England, the KFA could not ban him from his club team matches.[20]

Lee was listed onto the national team line up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He came on as a substitute in the round of 16 against Uruguay, and got a crucial chance made by Park Ji-sung, but his shot lacked the power to clear the line. South Korea lost the game 2–1 after his mistake, and he was denounced by South Korean fans. In an entertainment program, he revealed that he had been worried about his family who could get hurt due to the criticisms about him.[21] He played in qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup but was not listed on the final team for the tournament. After the World Cup he was recalled back to the team for a friendly match against Venezuela, where he scored a brace in a 3–1 victory, the national team's first win in nearly six months. In August 2017, Lee was called up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier games against Iran and Uzbekistan, being one of the oldest players on the squad.

Personal life

Lee married Lee Soo-jin, a runner up of Miss Korea 1997, in December 2005.[22] The couple have five children: twin daughters Lee Jae-si and Lee Jae-ah (born 14 August 2007), twin daughters Lee Seol-ah and Lee Soo-ah (born 18 July 2013) and son Lee Si-an, nicknamed Daebak (born 14 November 2014).

Lee, along with his five children, has appeared on the Sunday variety show The Return of Superman (aired on KBS World TV)[23] from 2015 to 2019. The Return of Superman shows famous Korean fathers taking care of their children for 48 hours without their wife. Lee is the first on the show to have five children to take care of.[24]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[25]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pohang Steelers1998K League1570094??2411
1999K League1570041??198
2000K League740010—84
2001K League17321——194
2002K League2174300—2510
2005K League1733074—277
2006K League1070000??107
Total1023894219—13251
Werder Bremen (loan)2000–01Bundesliga7000—0070
Gwangju Sangmu (draft)2003K League27110000—2711
2004K League1912043—254
2005K League——10—10
Total46122053—5315
Middlesbrough2006–07Premier League902000—110
2007–08Premier League1402121—182
Total2304121—292
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma2008K League1020030—132
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors2009K League29214431—3626
2010K League28122021844017
2011K League29161000893825
2012K League402622—644832
2013K League 1301322—834018
2014K League 1311320—734016
2015K League 1331311—744118
2016K League 1271200—14[lower-alpha 1]54117
2017K League 1301010——3110
2018K League 1351320—844517
2019K League 133900—814110
2020K League 111410—10134
Total356162189527537454210
Career total 544214331436157537688280
  1. Includes one appearance in FIFA Club World Cup

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[26]
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Korea U20 199865
199931
Total96
South Korea U23 19991412
200063
200295
Total2920
South Korea 199880
199900
2000108
200161
200240
200310
2004108
2005154
200691
200770
200800
200940
2010103
201120
201285
201350
201443
201500
201600
201720
Total10533
Career total14359
Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lee goal.
List of international goals scored by Lee Dong-gook
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
117 February 2000Los Angeles Costa Rica1–02–22000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
27 October 2000Dubai Australia4–24–22000 LG Cup
319 October 2000Tripoli Indonesia1–03–02000 AFC Asian Cup
42–0
53–0
623 October 2000Tripoli Iran2–12–1 (a.e.t.)2000 AFC Asian Cup
726 October 2000Beirut Saudi Arabia1–21–22000 AFC Asian Cup
829 October 2000Beirut China PR1–01–02000 AFC Asian Cup
916 September 2001Busan Nigeria2–12–1Friendly
1010 July 2004Gwangju Bahrain1–02–0Friendly
1123 July 2004Jinan United Arab Emirates1–02–02004 AFC Asian Cup
1227 July 2004Jinan Kuwait1–04–02004 AFC Asian Cup
132–0
1431 July 2004Jinan Iran2–23–42004 AFC Asian Cup
158 September 2004Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam1–12–12006 FIFA World Cup qualification
1617 November 2004Seoul Maldives2–02–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification
1719 December 2004Busan Germany2–13–1Friendly
189 February 2005Seoul Kuwait1–02–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification
1930 March 2005Seoul Uzbekistan2–02–12006 FIFA World Cup qualification
208 June 2005Kuwait City Kuwait2–04–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2116 November 2005Seoul Serbia and Montenegro2–02–0Friendly
2215 February 2006Los Angeles Mexico1–01–0Friendly
237 February 2010Tokyo Hong Kong3–05–02010 EAFF Championship
2414 February 2010Tokyo Japan1–13–12010 EAFF Championship
253 March 2010London Ivory Coast1–02–0Friendly
2625 February 2012Jeonju Uzbekistan1–04–2Friendly
272–0
2829 February 2012Seoul Kuwait1–02–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2911 September 2012Tashkent Uzbekistan2–12–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
3014 November 2012Hwaseong Australia1–01–2Friendly
315 September 2014Bucheon Venezuela2–13–1Friendly
323–1
3314 October 2014Seoul Costa Rica1–11–3Friendly

Filmography

Variety show
Year Title Network Role Note
2012 2 Days & 1 Night KBS Guest Episode 224–226
2012 Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy SBS Guest Episode 27
2015–2019 The Return of Superman KBS2 Cast Episode 89–298
2019 Knowing Bros JTBC Guest Episode 210
2020 Fly Shoot Dori (7th League) KBS2 One day director Episode 01–02, 04–06
2020 Let's Play Soccer JTBC Guest Episode 46, 76
2020 The Return of Superman KBS2 Guest Episode 363
2020 Master in the House SBS Guest Episode 147–148
2021 The Fishermen and the City (Season 2) Channel A Guest Episode 55–56
2021 My fantasy house SBS Guest Episode 03–04
2021 Law of the Jungle – Stove League SBS Cast Member Episode 434–437[27]
2021 Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant KBS Guest Episode 80–81
2021 Comfortable Café T-Cast E MC [28]
2021 – present Let's Play Basketball JTBC Cast Member [29][30][31]
2021 Law of the Jungle – Masters of Survival SBS Cast Member Episode 443–445 [32]
2021 King of Golf TV Chosun Main cast [33]
2021 Comfortable Café 2 T-Cast E MC [34]
2021 Let's Play Soccer 2 JTBC Coach [35]

Honours

Player

Pohang Steelers

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

South Korea U20

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

Entertainer
YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2015 14th KBS Entertainment Awards Best Entertainer Award The Return of Superman Won
Male MC Newcomer Award Nominated
2016 15th KBS Entertainment Awards Top Excellence Award in a Variety Show Won
2018 16th KBS Entertainment Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) Nominated

Ambassadorship
  • Incheon Asian Performing Arts Ambassador (2021)[61]

See also

References
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