Former football star Kim Nam-il says he does not consider baseball to be a sport in this captured image from JTBC’s variety show “Yesman,” Saturday. Captured from JTBC’s YouTube
A single remark from a football legend has reignited an old dispute in the Korean sports world. Kim Nam-il, a key player who helped lead Korea to the semifinals in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, recently made headlines by saying that he does not consider baseball to be a sport.
His comment was made on JTBC’s new variety show “Yesman,” where retired sports stars try to create a sense of tension and humor, on Saturday. While the studio audience laughed at the time, the reaction from the public and professional athletes was far from humorous.
The remark highlights a growing tension in the Korean entertainment industry. As retired sports stars move into the world of variety shows, they often find themselves caught between their professional identity and their new role as entertainers. To grab the attention of viewers, they are often pushed to say shocking things or to put down other sports.
In “Yesman,” Kim targeted former baseball player Yoon Suk-min, who played for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League and the Norfolk Tides, a Triple A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles.
Kim claimed that only football is a real sport and questioned Yoon’s status as a legend. While this was clearly a scripted setup to make the show more exciting, it touched a nerve.
The problem is that for many fans and current athletes, these words carry more weight than a simple joke.
For example, retired KBO player Kwon Hwi expressed disappointment over the comment, pointing out that baseball is a world of extreme mental stress where a single pitch can decide a person’s life. For players who work hard on the field every day, their job is not something to be joked about on TV.
This situation reveals the fragility of professional identity in today’s world of TV shows. In the past, players like Kim were respected for their skill and silent charisma on the pitch. To survive in the competitive world of broadcasting, they must transform into aggressive characters who sacrifice their dignity for their new careers.
Variety shows often rely on a culture where guests mockingly attack each other to create conflict. However, when these attacks target the very essence of a sport, they risk devaluing the hard work of thousands of athletes. The 12 million fans who support the KBO do not see the game as a joke, and the players, who give their lives to the game, take it just as seriously.
It is understandable that entertainers want to create a fun atmosphere. However, there should be a line between a friendly jab and a lack of respect for a professional calling. When stars use their fame to disrespect other sports, they damage the respect they have earned over the years.
As more athletes become TV celebrities, they must balance being funny with being respectful. Variety shows should find ways to entertain without devaluing the hard work that defines professional sports.