Many British football players love themselves and refuse to embrace the local culture when they move abroad.
But not Jesse Lingard. The former man Utd -midfielder was released by Nottingham Forest in 2023, after an overwhelming time on the city.
He was stuck in the abyss of a football-free agent, until surprisingly he moved to the South Korean side FC Seoul in February 2024 for a deal of two years-a huge wage reduction at £ 17,500 a week. In Forest he earned no less than £ 180,000 a week.
Although it was a tough start, with coach Kim Gi-Dong who publicly criticized him for his fitness and a subsequent knee injury that reigned him in his career, he soon won the fans.
However, it is not only the football skills of Lingard who scored him admirers in the land of Han.
The midfielder has immersed himself in Asian culture – not only enjoying the Korean BBQ – but also released music.
While his epic messages on social media – in collaboration with CGI firm Vertex – have made him and the K League look cool and millions of eyes have pulled his experience through social media.
Asian football expert and author John Duerden has seen first hand the impact that Lingard had from his house in Seoul.
He said Sunsport: “Not many foreign players make the national news in South Korea for actions on and outside the field, but Jesse Lingard has not been a normal signature.
“To begin with, he is the biggest name import to play in the 42-year-old K League and has therefore had more expectations and pressure than others.
“In the early days it seemed that it would not happen in FC Seoul, one of the big clubs in the country that has struggled a bit in recent years.
“He took the time to settle, which led to a kind of reprimand, from the coach, but most do not appreciate how big a cultural difference there is between South Korea and the UK, both on and outside the field.
“Just take the weather, absolutely freeze in the winter and very hot and very damp in the summer and then there is the rainy season.”
Culture club
Lingard adjusted. After all, he would use a rainy day or two in Manchester, so that would not have hurt.
But he seemed particularly in love with local culture and has brought cool in a country that produces award -winning TV in shows such as Squid Game.
As soon as he had made the switch to the Far East, he shared his eating experiences on Instagram with his nine million followers.
Lingard then realized that there was a market for a video diary of his career in South Korea, and he restarted his YouTube channel last year.
There, and on his Instagram, he shared his epic lifestyle. From cruising on a boat to making music and making epic CGI clips.
One of those clips that fall in December shows 'J Lingz' that performs some kick -ups before he has a ball in the air in the air to a ribbon that drops a sheet to reveal a golden statue of his famous JL hand celebration.
Another sees the ex-Three Lions wing player showing off his dance movements before walking out of shot out of shot.
The first has been fun almost 4.5 million times, while the latter has drawn nearly 240,000 likes since it was uploaded in November.
Lingard even found time to release his first Rap -Single before the end of last year.
Kamsahamnida, which means 'thank you' in Korean, was well received by his fans and is incredibly catchy.
Duerden explained: “It is outside the field, although Lingard has been different in every signature in the past.
“His Muzieksingle Kamsahamnida was a surprise, but his CGI video, released in December, pulled hundreds of clicks, went very well in Korea and made national news.
“Usual interactions with foreign players are usually not in advance, many questions from the past such as” Do you like Kimchi? ” Or “How good is son Heung-Min?” And comments about handling the chopsticks that use competence.
“This is not something that happened earlier in the K-League, it is a competition that is solid but by many, at home and abroad, is seen because it is a bit missing in the excitement and coolness.
“Officials at Seoul and at the League headquarters were delighted. Lingard may not have some of the Megastars in Saudi Arabia in terms of talent and performance, but he has a certain coolness and street credit try to sign him.
“It helps that he is here at a time when there is a huge global interest in Korean music, food, television, beauty products, fashion, technology and films and get involved in that culture will always fall well.
“Too many foreign players stay in their bubbles and rarely, let alone embrace, the culture. Lingard has shown what can be done. Like everywhere, the more you put in, the more you come out.”
Play in the K League
In terms of his football, Lingard is clear from life on and next to the field.
After scoring his first goal of the season, with the K-League that ran from February to November, he performed five goal celebrations in the 2-1 win over Anyang.
Lingard's popularity is larger than ever, but it is a tough competition to adapt.
Duerden explained: “Few coaches speak English and they often have tactically tactically quite conservative, like counterattacks and players who work hard, run fast and listen carefully.
“The competition is of a good standard, physical and fast, but you have to work for goals and games that often only open in the latest phases.
“The average League -presence was 11,000 last season, but with Lingard Seoul attracted more than 27,000.
“The K League does not have the same central place in Korean culture as the Premier League in England, but those who go are often enormously passionate and will support their players through thick and thin, if they give everything on the field.
“There is no doubt that Lingard has done this and his versions have been improved. Captain will be made in June and then officially getting the nod for his second season was a reflection thereof. Seoul coach Kim Gi-Dong is not the type to hand To make from the bracelet on a whim.
“The new season started well with a goal in the first home game for 40,000 fans.
“It seems that there will be more.”
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