Ан Чон Хван: от футбольного поля к телевидению

South Korean footballer (born 1976)

Ahn Jung hwan (hangul=안정환, or ; born 27 January 1976) is a South Korean former football player and television personality. Ahn played for South Korea as a second striker and scored a total of three goals in two FIFA World Cups, including a golden goal against Italy. After his retirement as a footballer, he became a television host and a football commentator.

Ahn was selected for South Korean under 20 team for the 1994 AFC Youth Championship. Three years later, he also played the 1997 Summer Universiade for South Korean Universiade team, winning a silver medal. He made 30 appearances (including 13 starts) and five goals for two Serie A seasons in a racist environment. Afterwards, he was named in South Korean squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosted by his country. In a group match against the United States, Ahn imitated a speed skater during his goal celebration after scoring the equaliser in order to protest the controversial disqualification of Korean short track speed skater Kim Dong sung in the 1500 metres at the 2002 Winter Olympics, which allowed American Apolo Ohno to win the gold medal. During the round of 16 against Italy, Ahn missed a penalty, but later scored a golden goal in extra time from a header that sent the South Koreans through to the quarter finals. The next day, Perugia owner Luciano Gaucci cancelled his contract and was quoted as saying, "I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football" due to the fact of the controversial and arguable win of the South Korean side. Gaucci stated that his decision was not due to the goal, alleging comments by Ahn about the Italian nation. However, Gaucci later took back what he had said, and approved the £1.2 million option to sign Ahn on a permanent basis. Ahn rejected the offer of a three year contract and refused to turn up for pre season training despite Perugia claiming ownership of his registration, saying "I will no longer discuss my transfer to Perugia, who attacked my character instead of congratulating me for a goal in the World Cup." Busan Daewoo Royals also claimed that they had not been paid by Perugia. A number of European clubs were interested in Ahn, but gave up on him due to his conflict with Perugia. Finally, FIFA forced Perugia's hand by concluding Ahn had to pay Perugia $3.5 million to compensate for their damage in the transfer market, and so he contracted with a Japanese entertainment company, the Professional Management (PM), to pay off his debts. He spent his important period as a J1 League player and an entertainer for three years.

After a successful spell in Japan, Ahn returned to Europe to play for French Ligue 1 team Metz in July 2005 and scored two goals in 16 outings. In January 2006, Ahn was invited to train with Blackburn Rovers but twice failed to show up, one of the dates being his birthday. In February, he secured a 17 month deal with a Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg to adapt to the environment of Germany, the host of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Ahn scored two goals in 12 outings, and his club was relegated from the Bundesliga. He was interested in a move to Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premier League, but it fell through. Ahn was selected for the South Korean squad for the 2006 World Cup. He scored the winning goal after coming off the bench during the second half of the South Korean opening match, where they beat Togo 2–1. Thus, he became the Asian all time scoring leader at the World Cup with three goals. He was released by Duisburg after the World Cup, and returned to South Korea, joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one year deal in January 2007.

Ahn scored a hat trick in a game of the 2007 Korean League Cup against Daejeon Citizen. However, his poor performance became longer, and he was left out of the national team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. In 2008, Ahn returned to Busan IPark, formerly Busan Daewoo Royals. He steadily improved his game and overall performances and, for the first time in 22 months, was recalled to the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifications match against Jordan. In March 2009, Ahn signed a three month contract with Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide. He became the key player in the club and extended his contract to December 2010 with Dalian Shide in June, though J2 League club Oita Trinita had an intention to sign him. He was promoted to Dalian's captain in the 2010 season. Ahn officially announced his retirement on 30 January 2012.

A quick and energetic player. Ahn was used as a second second striker, but was able to play as an attacking midfielder, winger or single striker. His one of the strongest abilities was very good positioning in the penalty box and could score goals by his head, despite of average height. His good and diverse technical skills allowed him to create goal opportunities. Ahn was also a combative player and he was picking quite often yellow cards. During his whole career, the Korean player was known as a super sub.

Ahn is sometimes called "The Lord of the Ring" by Korean fans. He married former Miss Korea Lee Hye won in 2001 and got this nickname by kissing her ring after every goal he scores. Other than football, Ahn is noted for his model like looks and has appeared in numerous make up ads. The Korean media often states the similar facial appearance between the footballer and actor Cha In pyo. Both view the statement as a compliment. Ahn was one of the carriers of the Olympic flame at the opening of the 2018 Winter Olympics. On 15 November 2021, Ahn founded the Matched Project (MCP) agency with Kim Young man, Kim Sung joo, and Jung Hyung don.

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsBusan Daewoo Royals1998K League17500168 33131999K League241410107 35212000K League1380072—2010Total5427103317 8844Perugia2000–01Serie A15410——1642001–02Serie A15120——171Total30530——335Shimizu S Pulse2002J1 League1033210121572003J1 League28114342333919Total38147552455426Yokohama F. Marinos2004J1 League251211104331162005J1 League94000033127Total34161110764323Metz2005–06Ligue 11620000—162MSV Duisburg2005–06Bundesliga122———1222006–072. Bundesliga00———00Total122———122Suwon Samsung Bluewings2007K League15010105—265Busan IPark2008K League1941082—286Dalian Shide2009Chinese Super League266———2662010Chinese Super League2410———24102011Chinese Super League15200——152Total651800——6518 Career total2838814657261111365131

Year Title RoleNote(s)Ref. (Reference(s)) 2013 Law of the Jungle in HimalayasHimself 2014 World Cup Special Drawing DreamHimself 2014–2015 Dad! Where Are We Going?Himself 2015 Cheongchun FC Hungry ElevenHimself 2015 GuideHimself 2015 The Human ConditionHimself 2016 Future DiaryHimself 2016–2019 Please Take Care of My RefrigeratorHimself (host) 2016 Cook RepresentativeHimself (host)2016–2017My Little TelevisionHimself2016–2018Carefree TravellersHimself2016–2017Flower CrewHimself 2018Creaking HeroesHimself 20181 Percent of FriendshipHimself2018–2019Cool KidsHimself (host)2019–2021Let's Play SoccerHimself2020Will They Eat When Delivered?Himself 2020–2023 Buddy into the WildHimself (host)2021Let's Play BasketballHimself 2021 National Bang Bang Cook CookHimself 2021 Lanson MarketplaceHimself (host) 2021 Anda HaengHimself (host) 2021 Why Is Classical 2Himself (host) 2021–2023 Let's Play Soccer 2Himself 2021 My Name Is CaddyHimself 2022 Legend FestivalHimself (host) 2022 Brave DetectivesHimself (host) 2022 Hole in one between LegendsHimself 2022 Neighborhood BilliardsHimself (host) 2022 IT Live from TodayHimself (host) 2022–2023 Brave Detectives 2Himself (host) 2022 Ahn Jung hwan's Hidden QatarHimself (host) 2023 Rural Police ReturnsHimself 2023–present Brave Detectives 3Himself (host) 2023–present Let's Play Soccer 3Himself 2023–present Rural Police Returns 2 Himself

Year Title ArtistRef. (Reference(s)) 1999 "Already Sad Love" Yada

+ List of awards and nominations received by TV personality Ahn Jung hwan Award ceremony Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. (Reference(s))SBS Entertainment Awards2013Best Challenge AwardLaw of the Jungle in Himalayas 2016 Excellence Award in Variety Show Flower Crew MBC Entertainment Awards2014Special Award in a Variety ShowDad! Where Are We Going? 2019 Popularity Award in Variety ShowBroadcasting By Your Side Best Couple Award 2020 Excellence Award in Variety ShowBuddies in the Wild 2021 Top Excellence Award in Variety Show 2022 Grand Prize Buddies in the WildAhn Jung hwan's Hidden Qatar Entertainer of the Year Award Best Couple Award Ahn Jung hwan's Hidden Qatar