‘I see it as a blessing’: Park Jung-bin on failure, faith and a life without borders

Park Jung-bin has spent his career treating football as both profession and passport. From Busan, the South Korean attacker left for Germany at 16, won Germany’s U19 title with Wolfsburg and made his Bundesliga debut against Bayern Munich. Denmark, Switzerland, Korea, France and Cambodia followed before his move to Sabah FC in Malaysia.

To outsiders, that route can resemble instability. Park sees the opposite: a collection of people, cultures and lessons few careers could offer. It has also demanded resilience through relegations, an ACL injury, sleepless nights and the pressure of starting again.

Speaking to Ryan Walters on Tunnel Vision, Park discusses the intelligence he discovered behind football, why nerves still help him perform and what supporters rarely understand about the professional game. He also reflects on faith, the sacrifices made by his wife and why, at 32, he believes the second half of his career has only just begun.

Editor’s note: Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Why would Germany be the opponent in your dream World Cup final?

Germany is where I became a professional. I spent my youth there, signed my first professional contract and probably learned more about football there than anywhere else, so it would have to be Germany.

Before that, I spent almost five years with Jeonnam Dragons from the age of 11 to 15. That is where I learned the basic skills I needed and worked every day towards becoming a professional. I still remember a tournament on Jeju Island when I was 11. We won it, and I finished as the top scorer and MVP. I no longer have any of the shirts or trophies, but I will never forget the memory.

Germany was the next step. It gave me my first contract and my Bundesliga debut, but Jeonnam helped make me the player who could take that opportunity.

What did playing in the Bundesliga teach you about elite football?

The defenders showed me how high the level could be. They were not only physically strong; they were very clever. I remember training at Wolfsburg with Naldo, who had played so many Bundesliga matches. He was an outstanding defender.

I was only 18 or 19 when I faced players at that level. I played with pure passion and relied upon my skill. If I returned with the experience I have now, perhaps I would deal with them better.

As a young player, I watched what somebody did with the ball. As I grew older, I began to understand how important movement, positioning and creating space are. At the highest level, what you do without the ball is often the key. The more football you play, the more you realise how much there is still to learn.

What defines a “Jung-bin-type player”?

High speed and high intensity. He is skilful, powerful and has a strong desire to give 100 per cent in every game.

Physical preparation is complex. In Southeast Asia, players can be light but very agile and quick. You need strength and balance without losing your ability to accelerate or decelerate. It is not enough to work only on power.

Korean football is extremely physical, organised and relentless. You think you have escaped an opponent and he comes again, then comes again. Malaysia is different. Games can open after 60 or 70 minutes as players tire and the spaces between the lines become wider. The K League is harder because of its organisation, but Malaysia is not an easy league. The foreign players also bring different kinds of strength and quality.

What is the biggest misconception about being a professional footballer?

People think it is an easy job: you earn good money and do what you love. They do not see the suffering, failure and setbacks, or understand the moods a player goes through.

You have to grind and work extremely hard. Becoming a professional does not mean the work is finished. In many ways, that is when the real suffering starts. During my years in Europe, there were many nights when I could not sleep because of stress, disappointment or things happening in my career. It is difficult to put those feelings into words.

Eventually you learn how to cope and accept that those experiences are part of football. It is still a privileged life, but people outside the game should not assume it is easy simply because it was your dream.

What has helped you handle the mental pressure?

My wife has been my rock. Since I met her, I have felt more stable because she is always there for me. I am grateful that I found the right person and companion.

I also pray a lot. I believe in God, and I ask for strength and wisdom whenever I face difficulty. My wife and my faith are the two things I hold on to most.

Why do you still like to feel nervous before a match?

When I am nervous, I usually play well. If I am too relaxed, I often do not. A little tension helps me attack the match with desire.

My preparation happens before the whistle. I follow a routine with bands and mobility work, then listen to music — Christian music, K-pop or anything that gives me the right mood. That routine helps switch me on.

At first I may wonder, “Will I do well today?” Then the game begins and the body takes over. You focus on each moment, adapt to what the match asks and do not try to force anything.

Does moving so often feel unstable, or has it become part of the reward?

Football has taken me all over the world, and that is a privilege. From outside, it may look unstable or make me seem like a journeyman. I see the opposite. You meet wonderful people, experience things most people never can and open your mind every time you enter another culture or club. I see enormous value in that. I think it is a blessing.

My wife has sacrificed a lot, including parts of her own dream, to share this life with me. We were close to settling in Denmark this summer, then the opportunity from Malaysia arrived and I could not turn it down. Here we are again, beginning somewhere new.

Apparently I am the explorer type. We try to see the good in it, and I am grateful for the journey we have had together.

If your career were a 90-minute match, where are you now?

Somewhere between the 45th and 60th minute. The first half was Europe and Korea: the leagues I played in, the setbacks and the failures. I have analysed those experiences and learned from them, so now I am entering the second half with all that knowledge.

I still believe in my ability. I think I can bring quality and surprises to the league, and I hope to play for many more years. There may be extra time as well.