The enthusiasm of college soccer in the 1990s was intense. On the sports section of newspaper, the news of college soccer was bannered into headlines. Jung Jae-kwon (Department of Phtsical Education, Class of 89), who was active in the heyday of college soccer, can be said to have had a successful career. He also played for the 19-year-old national team when he was in high school and was the only university student to participate in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. We met Jung, who has been worked as a coach teaching from middle school to university players after finishing his soccer player career. 

Jung, who were more passionate than anyone else, started playing soccer for the simple reason 'to release energy.' Jung moved to Busan with his father when he was 11 and was unable to adapt to school easily due to his reckless characteristics. "I joined the soccer team because of my father's recommendation. I was mischievous back then," he said, adding, “My father thought that I would be calmer and well behaving after spending all the energy to soccer, but following the ball was my aptitude so I’m still doing it to this day.”

Father’s recommendation has paved his way to start soccer and it completely changed his life. He shook K-soccer with his fast feet and ability to stir the sides, also being called as "Ssaekssaekii (a slang which is referred to as being as fast as a jet)." He scored his first goal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a university student. After graduating university, he joined the Busan Daewoo Royals (currently Busan I-Park, hereinafter Busan) in 1994 after joining the Industrial Bank of Korea FC in 1993.

In 1998, he was loaned to Vitoria FC in Setubal, Portugal. Unlike many Korean players including Kim Min-jae, Son Heung-min, and Hwang Hee-chan are actively performing in Europe, few Koreans were in Europe when Jung was a player. Regarding life in Europe, Jung recalled, "Though only me and my family was the only Asians in Setubal at that time, I was able to adapt well thanks to many fans who treated me kindly." He added, "The Portuguese League was a place where all the players with potentials were gathered, so I remember playing desperately."

Returning to Korea in 1999, Jung led the golden age of the Busan Daewoo Royals with his junior Ahn Jung-hwan. He said, "At that time, about 30,000 people came to see the game," adding, "I remember playing with my junior Ahn Jung-hwan on the field and scoring a joint goal."

I wonder why you came to Hanyang University as a coach with a successful player career.

I have never thought of becoming a coach. While I took a break working a player in Pohang Steelers, I was offered a coach from Dong-eui University. After serving as a coach in Dong-eui University and Dongnae Middle School, I became a coach of Hanyang University. The reason of becoming coach in Hanyang University was simple. It's my alma mater.

I think there were difficulties since you didn't prepare the coach in earnest.

It wasn't an easy job. When you're a player, you only need to look at myself and the players. But leader is a job that everyone has to make not only the team but also the people around you to fit in. Under Shin Hyun-ho (Department of Physical Education, Class of 73), who led Hanyang University's soccer team at the time, I learned what the coach should do including tactics and player management for 6 years. Thanks to him, I was able to become a coach.

Since head coach’s ability is a key in soccer, what value do you prioritize while leading the team?

I hope the team comes first over the individual players. I hope the players harmonize around the team. Also, there are three things I always talk about. Kicking the ball simply, playing dynamic soccer, and strong mentality. I think these three things should be the basic goal so that players can perform soccer well organically.

You produced players who are currently prominent in the K-League, including Won Du-jae (Department of Sports & Well Being 16) and Joo Min-kyu (Department of Physical Education, Class of 09). If you had to pick the most memorable student, who would it be?

Won Du-jae and Joo Min-kyu were great, but I want to talk about Kim Hyun-wook (Department of Sports & Well Being, Class of 14) who belongs to Jeonnam Dragons. He has a small height of 160 centimeters, but his understanding and intelligence in football were amazing. When he was in high school, everyone looked down on him because of his height. However for four years in Hanyang University’s soccer team, he poured out all the energy. In addition, the potential of players currently active at Hanyang University, including Kim Kyung-hwan (Department of Sports and Well-Being, Freshman) who joined the Asian Cup national team this time is also amazing.

The college league is just around the corner. What is your goal for the rest of the game?

I always say this to the players. I want you to see yourself better and different than you did at the beginning of the league season. I also want to see the players to develop at the end of the season. I think there will be synergy for the next season for both the team and the players.

What is soccer to you?

Soccer is my life, and it's the joys and sorrows of my life. Though it has a lot of meanings included, sometimes it hurts and sometimes it's sad. Sometimes I'm crying, and other time my competitor is crying as well. Soccer is intertwined like our lives. Soccer is still difficult to me.

Lastly, is there anything you want to say to the soccer players of Hanyang University?

Life is like a marathon. It's good to go for right ways, not fast. If you try to get to the point accurately, you can cut the probability of making mistakes. I hope you don't just look forward but look further. Like a wise turtle rather than a silly rabbit. If you keep trying, you will get good results without any doubt.