Actor Park Seo-joon attended the farewell match of his close friend, soccer player Son Heung-min.
The '2025 Coupang Play Series' successfully concluded with its second match held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd. The match between Tottenham Hotspur (hereafter Tottenham) and Newcastle United (hereafter Newcastle) was a symbolic moment as it marked Son Heung-min's last appearance for Tottenham in Korea, evoking deep emotions and enthusiastic cheers from fans.
This match was a significant occasion as it was Son Heung-min's last time wearing the Tottenham jersey in front of domestic fans. He showed active movement from the first half, playing for 63 minutes, and during his substitution, he greeted not only his teammates but also the Newcastle players, concluding his final game with Tottenham.
As Son Heung-min left the field, players from both teams lined up to form a 'Guard of Honor' and applauded in respect. Afterward, Son Heung-min handed the captain's armband to his close friend Ben Davies, with the two players sharing a final hug and farewell. Returning to the bench amidst the warm standing ovation from over 60,000 fans, Son Heung-min appeared to take a moment to gather his emotions.
Coupang Play prepared a tribute stage for Son Heung-min, sincerely supporting his future. In the preview show, 'Goddess of the Trophy' Lee Soo-ji appeared and delivered a warm message saying, "You have worked hard for 10 years. I hope you pursue happy football and happiness in the future."
The kick-off was taken by his close friend and actor Park Seo-joon, who shared Son Heung-min's final moments. During halftime, the group 2NE1, known as long-time fans, performed a special stage featuring legendary hits like 'FIRE', 'I DON'T CARE', and 'I Am the Best' for him.
The tribute performance created by the fans left a deep impression. After the match began, at the 7th and 77th minutes, symbolizing Son Heung-min's jersey number, the audience sang the chant 'Nice one, Sonny' in unison to the tune played by the 'Trumpet Guy', cheering for his 'last dance'.
Tottenham supporters who traveled from the UK were also present, passionately singing team chants and sharing in Son Heung-min's final stage, creating a unified atmosphere that transcended nationality and language. Immediately after the match, a tribute video showcasing Son Heung-min's 10-year journey with Tottenham was broadcast on the scoreboard and relay screens, with fans cheering his name until the very last moment, filling the field with support.
The match ended in a 1:1 draw. The first half saw both teams engage in a fast-paced exchange, with an early goal igniting the atmosphere. Just three minutes into the match, Tottenham's Brennan Johnson scored the opening goal, taking the lead. Immediately after scoring, Brennan Johnson performed a tribute celebration for Son Heung-min, moving the entire stadium.
Newcastle then retaliated, and in the 37th minute, Newcastle's Harvey Barnes scored the equalizer, ending the first half. In the second half, Newcastle's Park Seung-soo and Tottenham's Yang Min-hyeok took to the field, showcasing impressive plays that hinted at the next generation of South Korean Premier League players.
