Lee Chun-soo (; born 9 July 1981) is a South Korean retired football player. He played as a forward for the South Korea national team at the 2002 and 2006 editions of the FIFA World Cup. Early in his career he was regarded as one of the most talented forwards to have emerged from South Korea.

Club career

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i

Lee recorded seven goals and nine assists during 18 appearances in the 2002 K League, showing his talent in his first professional season. After becoming a World Cup semi-finalist and the top assist provider of the K League at the age of 19, he was named the Asian Young Footballer of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation.

In July 2003, he joined Real Sociedad, the runners-up of the 2002–03 La Liga, becoming the first Korean to play in La Liga. However, after a mediocre season, he was loaned out to fellow La Liga side Numancia, and ultimately returned to South Korea. He was unable to score in the La Liga in his two years there.

Lee rejoined Ulsan in mid-season. He scored a hat trick in the first leg of the championship final. He was subsequently named the K League's Most Valuable Player.

The next year, he scored a hat-trick against Gamba Osaka at the A3 Champions Cup.

Feyenoord

In the summer of 2007, Lee joined Feyenoord of the Eredivisie. He got the second chance to play in Europe, but failed to adapt to the Netherlands. While he competed in Feyenoord, he was scammed in his country, and took a two-week vacation to solve the problem. He had difficulty concentrating on football due to his case of fraud, and Feyenoord officially announced Lee's loan to South Korean team Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal in July 2008.

Loan spells

Even in Suwon, his stint was ill-received: he performed poorly, had clashes with the coaching staff, and was banished from the K League. After a few months, Suwon released him from the banishment, and he could be loaned to Jeonnam Dragons on 26 February 2009.

In June 2009, he claimed he couldn't reject his transfer according to his contract with Feyenoord if another club suggest a high salary to him, and he joined a Saudi club Al-Nassr in the middle of the season. However, the dual contract did not exist in reality, and he was prohibited from joining the K League again after Jeonnam got to know the truth.

Incheon United

In March 2010, he left Al-Nassr because the club did not give his wages for three months. He joined a J1 League club Omiya Ardija, and played in Japan for a year and a half.

After leaving Omiya Ardija, Lee did not join any foreign professional club for a year, and hoped to play in South Korea. Jeonnam Dragons released his indefinite banishment after watching his behavior including three apologies at the stadium. On 31 March 2013, he came back to the K League with Incheon United in a game against Daejeon Citizen 1,381 days after the last game with Jeonnam.

On 5 November 2015, he announced his retirement as a player. His retirement ceremony was held at half time of a World Cup qualifier between South Korea and Lebanon in March 2016.

International career

In 1999, Lee was selected for the South Korean under-20 team, participating in the Bangabandhu Cup. He scored five goals against Thailand in his debut game, and also scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Brazil.

Lee was also a member of the South Korean under-23 team in the 2000 Summer Olympics. In a group match against Morocco, he almost missed a crucial penalty, but succeeded in scoring from the rebound.

In the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in his country, Lee was a substitute of the South Korean national team, but showed good dribbles and defense when appearing. After main players were injured, Lee got an opportunity as a starter in the semi-finals against Germany. In this game, however, he was criticised for displaying a greediness for goal with little regard for teamwork, although he made a memorable shot saved by Oliver Kahn.This game ended in a 1-0 win for Germany and ultimately South Korea finished 4th in the World Cup after losing to Turkey in the 3rd place playoffs.

Unlike in the 2002 World Cup, Lee played as a starter in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored South Korea's first goal with a free kick against Togo in a 2–1 win.

After retirement

In 2005, he took a special seminar at Goyang Baekyang Middle School with Chung Mong-joon, president of the Korea Football Association.

In June 2014, he starred in an SNL Korea episode, when he played a parody of the game Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 called "GTA Winner Eleven 2014" alongside Kim Min-kyo.

On November 5, 2015, when he was about to retire from active duty, he appeared on JTBC Newsroom. During the broadcast, Lee confessed that he intentionally hit Paolo Maldini in the head during the 2002 FIFA World Cup against Italy.

In December 2015, he appeared on the King of Mask Singer in Episode 38 as (with the stage name "Know Thyself Socrates") show and displayed his singing skills.

As of March 2016, he is a commentator for JTBC3 Fox Sports.

In 2019, He was appointed as the head of strength and conditioning for his hometown team Incheon United ahead of the 2019 season, but resigned from the position in August 2020.

In January 2021, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Social Contribution Committee of the Korea Football Association.

In June 2021, Lee signed a contract with DH Entertainment.

In October 2024, he participated in the Nexon Icon Match in Korea as a striker team.

On November 4, 2025, police charged him with fraud.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

1. Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Lee Chun-soo

Filmography

Television

Web series

Honours

Player

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i

• K League 1: 2005

• Korean League Cup: 2007

• Korean Super Cup: 2006

• A3 Champions Cup: 2006

Feyenoord

• KNVB Cup: 2007–08

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

• K League 1: 2008

• Korean League Cup: 2008

Incheon United

• Korean FA Cup runner-up: 2015

South Korea U23

• Asian Games bronze medal: 2002

South Korea

• AFC Asian Cup third place: 2007

Individual

• K League All-Star: 2002, 2006, 2007, 2013

• K League 1 top assist provider: 2002

• K League Rookie of the Year: 2002

• K League 1 Best XI: 2002, 2005

• AFC Youth Player of the Year: 2002

• K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 2005

• A3 Champions Cup Most Valuable Player: 2006

• A3 Champions Cup top goalscorer: 2006

• AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2007

• Korean FA Goal of the Year: 2007

Television personality

List of awards and nominations received by TV personality Lee Chun-soo

Notes

References

External links

• Lee Chun-soo – National Team Stats at KFA