A MODERN
BIOGRAPHY ARCHIVE
THE COLLECTION / SportsARCHIVE № 427
1979 —   FOOTBALLER / TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

LEEDONG-GOOK

Apr 29, 1979South Korea

What happened at what age?
Where were they at your age?

The breakthrough yearThe year he turned 19, after graduating from Pohang Jecheol Technical High School, he joined Pohang Steelers and made his pro debut in March, and made his A-match debut against Jamaica in May. In June he played against the Netherlands at the France World Cup as the youngest Korean ever to do so, and his name became known. In October he scored the winner in the Asian youth championship final against Japan, and that year he was named Rookie of the Year.

In 2000, after the Sydney Olympics, he was top scorer at the Asian Cup in Lebanon with 6 goals. In 2001, he was loaned to Werder Bremen and then returned to Pohang.

In 2002, he was left out of the Korea-Japan World Cup squad and lost on penalties in the Asian Games semifinal in Busan. In 2003, he enlisted at Sangmu. In 2004, he scored a turning volley against Germany. In 2005, he married. In 2006, he tore a cruciate ligament and missed the Germany World Cup.

In 2007, he moved to Middlesbrough and became a Premier League player. In 2008, he returned to the K League with Seongnam. In 2009, he was traded to Jeonbuk Hyundai and won the club’s first title and the top scorer and MVP awards in the same year. In 2010, he played at a World Cup for the first time in 12 years.

In 2011, he won the Champions League top scorer and MVP awards and the K League assists and MVP awards, completing the four major individual awards. In 2012, he set the K League career goals record. In 2013, he scored in seven straight matches. In 2014, he reached 100 A-matches and won a third MVP. In 2015, he joined The Return of Superman and won a fourth MVP.

In 2016, he won the Champions League title. In 2017, he scored his 200th K League goal, a first in the league. In 2018, he set the record for most appearances by a field player. In 2019, he reached 200 goals for Jeonbuk. In 2020, he announced his retirement and ended his career with a title in his final match and his number retired.

In 2021, he became a coach on The Gentlemen’s League 2. In 2023, he became Korea Football Association vice president and stepped down in April, and was among the first inductees to the K League Hall of Fame. In 2024, he published his second essay. In 2025, he became the first technical director of Yongin FC. In 2026, he joined the staff of Gus Poyet, who applied to be the national team’s interim manager, but Poyet was rejected at the document screening stage.

Lee Dong-gook (born Apr 29, 1979) debuted as a pro with Pohang Steelers on Mar 21, 1998, the year he turned 19, and became known three months later on Jun 20, 1998, when he played against the Netherlands at the France World Cup as the youngest Korean ever to do so. He joined Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2009, the year he turned 30.

Ages are by calendar year (the year minus the birth year), birthdays aside.

Full timeline · 45 records1998 — 2026   ＋
AGE / YEAR

  1. 19 · 1998
    Debut

    Joins Pohang Steelers and debuts as a pro

    After graduating from Pohang Jecheol Technical High School, he joined Pohang Steelers and made his pro debut in a match against Cheonan Ilhwa. Ten days later he scored his first goal against Jeonbuk Hyundai, and that year he was named Rookie of the Year.

    Source 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tabSource 31 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook, 200 career K League goals · opens in a new tabSource 01 · News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind · opens in a new tab
  2. 19 · 1998
  3. 19 · 1998
    Title

    Winning goal against Japan in the Asian youth championship final

    In the final in Chiang Mai, Thailand, he scored the winner with a left-footed turning shot in the 30th minute of the second half, leading Korea to a 2-1 win and a second straight title. He was joint top scorer with 5 goals and was named player of the final.

    Source 07 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Korea wins the Asian youth championship again · opens in a new tabSource 01 · News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind · opens in a new tab
  4. 21 · 2000
    Tournament

    Plays at the Sydney Olympics

    Played at the Sydney Olympics as a member of the Olympic team. Sports Hankook writes that around this time his knee trouble began as he went back and forth between the U-20s, the Olympic team, the A team and his club.

    Source 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tabSource 01 · News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind · opens in a new tabSource 47 · Wikipedia (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook · opens in a new tab The match dates were not confirmed.
  5. 21 · 2000
    Tournament

    Top scorer at the Asian Cup in Lebanon

    Finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 6 goals. He scored a golden goal in extra time in the quarterfinal against Iran, and he names it the most valuable goal of his career.

    Source 01 · News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tabSource 47 · Wikipedia (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook · opens in a new tab The date of the Iran match (Oct. 23) is from Wikipedia. Sports Hankook put the match in April 2000, but the tournament was held in October.
  6. 22 · 2001
    Transfer

    Six-month loan to Werder Bremen

    While in Germany for knee rehabilitation, he moved on a six-month loan to Bundesliga club Werder Bremen. Sports Hankook writes that he played seven matches without a goal.

    Source 14 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook’s Middlesbrough move confirmed · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tabSource 47 · Wikipedia (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook · opens in a new tab The return to Pohang in June is from Wikipedia.
  7. 23 · 2002
  8. 23 · 2002
    Tournament

    Loses on penalties to Iran in the Busan Asian Games semifinal

    Came on in the 14th minute of the second half of the semifinal at Busan Gudeok Stadium; after a 0-0 draw Korea lost 3-5 on penalties and missed the final. He also missed out on the military exemption.

    Source 09 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Korean men fail to reach the Asian Games final · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tabSource 47 · Wikipedia (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook · opens in a new tab The bronze medal and captaincy are from Wikipedia.
  9. 24 · 2003
  10. 25 · 2004
    Match

    Turning volley against Germany

    In a friendly in Busan, he met a Park Kyu-seon cross in the 25th minute of the second half with a right-footed turning volley that went over Oliver Kahn. At his retirement news conference he named it the best goal of his career.

    Source 11 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Against Germany, oiling the tank corps · opens in a new tabSource 01 · News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tab
  11. 26 · 2005
  12. 27 · 2006
    Injury

    Surgery decided on a cruciate ligament tear, out of the Germany World Cup

    A detailed examination at a rehabilitation center in Frankfurt found a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and he chose surgery. He missed a World Cup for the second time.

    Source 13 · MyDaily (Korean) · Cruciate ligament fully torn, World Cup out · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tab
  13. 28 · 2007
    Transfer

    Joins Middlesbrough, the fourth Korean in the Premier League

    Pohang let him go without a transfer fee but attached a condition that he return to Pohang if he came back to Korea. Sports Hankook writes that he ended his time in England after a season and a half, with no goals in 23 matches.

    Source 14 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook’s Middlesbrough move confirmed · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tab
  14. 29 · 2008
  15. 30 · 2009
  16. 30 · 2009
  17. 30 · 2009
  18. 31 · 2010
  19. 31 · 2010
    Match

    Misses a one-on-one chance in the 41st minute against Uruguay in the Round of 16

    Came on as a substitute in the 1-2 loss in Port Elizabeth and missed a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper in the 41st minute of the second half.

    Source 20 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Korea gives up its dream of a quarterfinal run · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tab The date is Korean time.
  20. 32 · 2011
  21. 32 · 2011
    Award

    K League MVP and assists leader, first to win all four major awards

    With 16 goals and 15 assists he won the assists title and a second MVP. He was the first player to win all four: Rookie of the Year, top scorer, MVP and top assists.

    Source 22 · Kyunghyang Shinmun (Korean) · Legend Lee Dong-gook, first Grand Slam of MVP and assists leader · opens in a new tabSource 02 · Edaily (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook’s national team career in records · opens in a new tabSource 01 · News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind · opens in a new tab Kyunghyang Shinmun gave the Rookie of the Year year as 1996, but it was 1998.
  22. 33 · 2012
  23. 33 · 2012
  24. 34 · 2013
  25. 35 · 2014
  26. 35 · 2014
  27. 36 · 2015
    TV

    Joins The Return of Superman

    Joined KBS 2TV’s parenting variety show as a new family, and the first episode aired with him caring for five children for 48 hours without his wife.

    Source 28 · Sports Chosun (Korean) · Superman is back, Lee Dong-gook’s first childcare · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tabSource 04 · Hankook Ilbo (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook goes back to being a dad · opens in a new tab
  28. 36 · 2015
  29. 37 · 2016
  30. 38 · 2017
  31. 39 · 2018
  32. 40 · 2019
  33. 41 · 2020
    Key moment

    Announces retirement

    Said on social media that he would retire at the end of the season. By the Korea Football Association’s tally he played 844 matches and scored 344 goals, the most appearances and most goals by a Korean player. At his retirement news conference he said he decided because his mind had weakened more than his body.

    Source 04 · Hankook Ilbo (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook goes back to being a dad · opens in a new tabSource 01 · News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind · opens in a new tabSource 03 · Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals · opens in a new tab
  34. 41 · 2020
  35. 42 · 2021
  36. 44 · 2023
  37. 44 · 2023
  38. 44 · 2023
  39. 45 · 2024
  40. 46 · 2025
  41. 46 · 2025
  42. 47 · 2026
  43. 47 · 2026
    National team

    Joins the staff of an interim manager applicant, Poyet; rejected at document screening

    Decided to join the coaching staff of manager Gus Poyet, who applied in the open recruitment for the national team’s interim manager. Poyet failed the document screening on the 17th.

    Source 44 · News1 (Korean) · Director Lee Dong-gook joins Poyet’s team · opens in a new tabSource 45 · Dong-A Ilbo (Korean) · Poyet, who teamed up with Lee Dong-gook, fails the document screening · opens in a new tab
  44. 47 · 2026

END OF SELECTED RECORDSSelected records, 1998–2026 · not a complete list of work. “Key moment” is an editorial label, not a measure of success.

02 / QUICK ANSWERS

Q & AFrequently asked

How old was Lee Dong-gook when he debuted?
On Mar 21, 1998, the year he turned 19, he played for Pohang Steelers against Cheonan Ilhwa. Two months later, on May 16, 1998, he made his A-match debut against Jamaica.
How old was Lee Dong-gook when he became famous?
On Jun 20, 1998, the year he turned 19, he played against the Netherlands at the France World Cup, three months after his pro debut. Sports Hankook writes that he rose to stardom after returning home because of a long-range shot in that match, and Hankook Ilbo writes that it announced the arrival of a star.
How old was Lee Dong-gook when he joined Jeonbuk Hyundai?
On Jan 10, 2009, the year he turned 30. That year Jeonbuk won its first title and he took the top scorer and MVP awards, and he played 12 seasons there until his retirement in 2020.
What has Lee Dong-gook done since retiring?
After retiring in 2020, the year he turned 41, he has divided his time between TV and football administration. In 2023 he was Korea Football Association vice president from January to April, and on Jun 19, 2025 he became the first technical director of Yongin FC.
How old is Lee Dong-gook?
Born in 1979, he turns 47 in 2026 (47 as of Sep 22, 2026). The birth date is from Wikipedia and matches the 19 years 52 days that News1 and Edaily give for the Netherlands match.
04 / ABOUT THE ARCHIVE

A LIFE,
IN CHAPTERS.

What did they do, and at what age?
AgeTrail lines up the key moments of a life by age.
Debut and breakthrough are marked separately, and every record has a source.

COLLECTION427Lee Dong-gook / LEE DONG-GOOK

Sports · South Korea
Apr 29, 1979 —

Sources and method48 SOURCES   ＋

Ages are counted from the birth year 1979: the year of the event minus 1979, birthdays aside. “Key moment” labels and the connecting story are AgeTrail's editorial reading.

  1. News1 (Korean) · The footprints retiring Lee Dong-gook leaves behind ↗Korea Football Association tally: 844 matches, 344 goals; from the 1998 U-19 Championship through the U-20 World Cup, two Asian Games, one Olympics, three Asian Cups and two World Cups; youngest against the Netherlands at 19 years 52 days; 105 A-matches, 33 goals; top scorer at the 1998 U-19 and 2000 Asian Cup and in the 2011 ACL; four MVP awards (2009, 2011, 2014, 2015); the only player to win all four major individual awards
  2. Edaily (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook’s national team career in records ↗Same Korea Football Association summary as above. Left-footed turning shot against Japan in the 1998 U-19 final, a volley against Germany in 2004, Middlesbrough in 2007 and Werder Bremen in 2000
  3. Sports Hankook (Korean) · On Lee Dong-gook, most appearances and most goals ↗Debut against Ilhwa in Cheonan on Mar. 21, 1998, first goal ten days later; after a long-range shot against the Netherlands at the World Cup, rose to stardom on returning home and was called a troika with Ahn Jung-hwan and Ko Jong-soo; 1998 Rookie of the Year and a merit award; 2000 Asian Cup top scorer; 7 matches, no goals at Bremen; cut in 2002; 23 matches, no goals in the Premier League; 13 matches, 2 goals at Seongnam; 29 matches, 21 goals for Jeonbuk in 2009; timeline
  4. Hankook Ilbo (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook goes back to being a dad ↗Announced retirement on social media on Oct. 26, 2020, with a final retirement match on Nov. 1; wrote that a long-range shot against the Netherlands announced the arrival of a star; troika with Ahn Jung-hwan and Ko Jong-soo; 360 matches and 164 goals for Jeonbuk; 75 ACL matches, 37 goals
  5. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Korea beats Jamaica 2-1 ↗Friendly at Jamsil Main Stadium on May 16, 1998: came on in the second half for Hwang Sun-hong
  6. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · World Cup notes: players regain their composure ↗Came on as a substitute in the second half against the Netherlands, a record as the youngest Korean to play at a World Cup; moved from Marseille to Paris; manager Cha Bum-kun dismissed
  7. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Korea wins the Asian youth championship again ↗Oct. 31, 1998, final against Japan in Chiang Mai, Thailand, won 2-1: came on in the 31st minute, left-footed turning shot for the winner in the 30th minute of the second half; joint top scorer with 5 goals; player of the match
  8. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · 23 Taeguk Warriors named for the 2002 World Cup ↗Korea Football Association announcement on Apr. 30, 2002: Lee Dong-gook (Pohang) and Park Yo-seb (Anyang) cut, no surprise selections
  9. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Korean men fail to reach the Asian Games final ↗Oct. 10, 2002, semifinal against Iran at Busan Gudeok Stadium, 0-0, lost 3-5 on penalties; came on for Kim Eun-jung in the 14th minute of the second half
  10. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook enlists on the 10th ↗Entered the Nonsan training camp on Mar. 10, 2003; had voluntarily joined Sangmu on Feb. 3; recruit training postponed until after the season
  11. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Against Germany, oiling the tank corps ↗Dec. 19, 2004, in Busan: right-footed turning volley from a Park Kyu-seon cross in the 25th minute of the second half, over Oliver Kahn; the seventh goal under Jo Bonfrère
  12. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Pro footballer Lee Dong-gook marries ↗Dec. 18, 2005, Millennium Hall at Central City in Banpo-dong, Seoul; a Miss Korea Hawaii in 1997; first met in 1998; honeymoon in Cebu; newlywed home in Pohang
  13. MyDaily (Korean) · Cruciate ligament fully torn, World Cup out ↗Diagnosed Apr. 13, 2006 at the Sporek rehabilitation center in Frankfurt, Germany: complete tear of the right anterior cruciate ligament, surgery decided
  14. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook’s Middlesbrough move confirmed ↗Pohang announcement on Jan. 23, 2007: the fourth Korean in the Premier League; no transfer fee, with Pohang’s terms if he returned to Korea; six-month loan at Werder Bremen in January 2001
  15. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook returns to the K League, joins Seongnam ↗Seongnam announcement on July 30, 2008: a contract of one year and five months; talks with Kyoto fell through after Middlesbrough told him he was being released
  16. MyDaily (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook and Kim Sang-sik join Jeonbuk ↗Jan. 10, 2009: two-for-two trade for Moon Dae-sung and Hong Jin-sub; 13 matches, 2 goals, 2 assists at Seongnam; 187 K League matches, 64 goals in total
  17. Sports Chosun (Korean) · Jeonbuk’s first title in 15 years since its founding ↗Dec. 6, 2009, championship second leg in Jeonju, 3-1 over Seongnam, Lee Dong-gook penalty in the 27th minute of the second half; first title in 12 years since his debut; 36,246 spectators
  18. MyDaily (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook, 2009 K League MVP ↗Dec. 22, 2009, awards ceremony at the Grand Hilton Hotel: top scorer with 20 goals in 27 regular-season matches; 108 of 110 votes from reporters
  19. Ilgan Sports (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook picked for Huh Jung-moo’s final squad ↗Announced June 1, 2010, in Neustift, Austria: a World Cup after 12 years; Lee Keun-ho cut
  20. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Korea gives up its dream of a quarterfinal run ↗Korean time on the 27th, Round of 16 against Uruguay in Port Elizabeth, lost 1-2: Lee Dong-gook missed a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper in the 41st minute of the second half
  21. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lion King Lee Dong-gook, ACL top scorer and MVP ↗Nov. 5, 2011, final against Al Sadd in Jeonju, came on in the 25th minute of the second half; top scorer with 9 goals and tournament MVP; four goals in the second leg of the quarterfinal against Cerezo Osaka
  22. Kyunghyang Shinmun (Korean) · Legend Lee Dong-gook, first Grand Slam of MVP and assists leader ↗Dec. 6, 2011, Grand Hilton Hotel: 86 of 115 votes from reporters; 16 goals, 15 assists; the first to win all four major individual awards. Gave the Rookie of the Year year as 1996 by mistake
  23. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Choi Kang-hee’s team beats Uzbekistan in debut win ↗Feb. 25, 2012, friendly at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, 4-2; two first-half goals by Lee Dong-gook as the lone striker
  24. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · K League opens, Lee Dong-gook sets career goals record ↗Mar. 3, 2012, goals in the 13th and 18th minutes of the first half against Seongnam in Jeonju; 117 career goals, passing Woo Sung-yong’s 116
  25. Footballist (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook scores in 7 straight matches ↗July 13, 2013, 2-1 at Busan Asiad Stadium: a goal in a seventh straight K League Classic match, one short of the all-time record
  26. Sportalkorea (Korean) · Two goals against Venezuela and the Century Club ↗Sept. 5, 2014, friendly at Bucheon Stadium, 3-1: header in the 7th minute and right-footed goal in the 18th of the second half; his 100th A-match; first appearance since June 2013, one year and two months
  27. Sports Hankook (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook is the 2014 K League MVP ↗Dec. 1, 2014, Grand Hilton Hotel: first three-time MVP, tying Lee Woon-jae’s record as the oldest winner; his own remark that he had become a father of five
  28. Sports Chosun (Korean) · Superman is back, Lee Dong-gook’s first childcare ↗Aired Aug. 2, 2015, episode 89, Dads Are Men Too; joined as a new member to care for his children for 48 hours
  29. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook, fourth career MVP ↗Dec. 1, 2015, Grand Hilton Hotel: a second straight and fourth career MVP; 13 goals, 5 assists; double-digit goals for seven straight seasons; 400th match on Aug. 12
  30. Best Eleven (Korean) · Al Ain LIVE, why Lee Dong-gook held back his joy at the title ↗Korean time, night of the 26th, second leg of the final at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, 1-1, won the title 1 win and 1 draw on aggregate; started
  31. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook, 200 career K League goals ↗Oct. 29, 2017, header in the 34th minute of the second half against Jeju in Jeonju, after coming on in the 21st minute; 467 matches over 20 seasons; 70-70 Club on Sept. 17
  32. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Pro football year in review, record machine Lee Dong-gook ↗500th match against Suwon on Oct. 28, 2018; most appearances by a field player against Jeju on Nov. 10; 35 matches, 13 goals that season; double-digit goals for ten straight years; 504 matches, 215 goals in total
  33. Sports Kyunghyang (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook, 200 goals for Jeonbuk ↗June 2, 2019, header in stoppage time against Sangju in Jeonju; 200 Jeonbuk goals (154 K League, 37 ACL, 9 FA Cup); the only player with 200 goals for one club
  34. News1 (Korean) · Jeonbuk’s first four-peat, retiring Lee Dong-gook plays the full match ↗Nov. 1, 2020, final match in Jeonju, 2-0 over Daegu, four straight titles and eight in all; Lee Dong-gook’s last match
  35. Inter Football (Korean) · Tearful Lee Dong-gook, No. 20 retired ↗Retirement ceremony after the match; CEO Heo Byung-gil announced No. 20 would be retired, the second after No. 12; captain
  36. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook joins The Gentlemen’s League 2 ↗First aired Aug. 1, 2021; Lee Dong-gook a new coach, Ahn Jung-hwan back as manager
  37. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook named Korea Football Association vice president ↗Jan. 18, 2023, board and general assembly at Football House; seven vice presidents; term to December 2024
  38. Sports Kyunghyang (Korean) · Lee Young-pyo and Lee Dong-gook resign as KFA vice presidents ↗Resigned on social media on Apr. 3, 2023, taking responsibility for failing to stop the board approving a pardon for match-fixers; he wrote that he had held the post since February
  39. Sports Chosun (Korean) · K League Hall of Fame induction ceremony ↗May 2, 2023, Ambassador Seoul Pullman; first players inducted: Choi Soon-ho, Hong Myung-bo, Shin Tae-yong and Lee Dong-gook
  40. Footballist (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook as author, a second essay ↗May 27, 2024, launch event in Jeong-dong, Seoul; There Is No Choice Where You Know the Result; 11 years after his first autobiography in 2013
  41. Joongbu Ilbo (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook, Yongin FC’s first technical director ↗Appointment letter on June 19, 2025; chosen by the strengthening committee on the 17th; a new club preparing to join K League 2 in 2026
  42. JTBC (Korean) · Gukdae Heungsinso first release ↗Web variety show first released at 6 p.m. on July 4, 2025; first client Lee Dong-gook, looking for his No. 1 fan from high school
  43. Ilgan Sports (Korean) · BrandLaureate Sports Icon Leadership Award ↗Ceremony on Jan. 28, 2026 at the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, presented by the World Brand Foundation
  44. News1 (Korean) · Director Lee Dong-gook joins Poyet’s team ↗Aug. 13, 2026, a Yongin club official: joined the coaching staff of Poyet’s team, which applied in the open recruitment for an interim manager; accepted after several refusals
  45. Dong-A Ilbo (Korean) · Poyet, who teamed up with Lee Dong-gook, fails the document screening ↗The Football Association notified on the 17th that document screening was complete and Poyet was out; an official said the coaches did not score highly in their evaluation
  46. Newsis (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook on his footballer son being tackled ↗Appeared on tvN STORY’s Namgyeoseo Mwohage with Lee Jong-beom; his remarks about the difficulties his son faces
  47. Wikipedia (Korean) · Lee Dong-gook ↗Basis for dates not confirmed in news reports. Born Apr. 29, 1979; the Sydney Olympics; return to Pohang in June 2001; Asian Games bronze and captaincy; date of the Asian Cup match against Iran
  48. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Photo talk, no player is greater than the team ↗Photo caption for the 0-5 loss to the Netherlands at the France World Cup on June 20, 1998

Fact-checked: 2026.09.22 · An independent archive, not affiliated with the person or their agency.