Tiger Woods(left) appeared on the Mike Douglas Show at just two years old, Lee Kangin(Center) Shootdori Series at Seven, and Yubin Starking at Five.

Young Prodigies Shine on the Global Stage: Lee Kang-in and Shin Yubin Echo Tiger Woods' Early Stardom
 

By Byung Kee Park

When Tiger Woods was just 2, he stunned audiences on "The Mike Douglas Show," showcasing an innate talent for golf that would eventually make him one of the sport's greatest icons. 

Today, in Korea, football sensation Lee Kang-in and table tennis prodigy Shin Yubin are drawing similar accolades, captivating fans from their tender years, much like Woods did in the United States.

At the age of 7, Lee Kang-in's dazzling skills on the soccer field were first brought to the national spotlight on KBS 2TV's show 'Fly, Shootdori Season 3.' His exceptional talent even caught the attention of the late Yoo Sang-chul, a renowned soccer figure in Korea and coached the Shootdori Youth team, who remarked, "I've never seen a 7-year-old handle a ball the way Kang-in does." Lee's influence not only sparked a surge in young children enrolling in soccer schools across Korea, but also signaled the birth of a new soccer legend. By the age of 11, Lee had already made a significant leap, joining Spain's Valencia youth team.

Further, in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Lee was instrumental in leading South Korea to a runner-up finish and was even named the MVP. Now, joining the ranks of global football stars like Mbappe in the French League's PGS, Lee's extraordinary passing abilities have been widely acknowledged. Korean football legend and analyst Ahn Jung-hwan commented, "Lee's passes aren't just feeding his teammates; they're like spoon-feeding them with digestives."

Similarly, Shin Yubin burst onto the scene when she was merely five years old, impressing the nation on SBS-TV's 'Star King' by skillfully rallying against the national table tennis coach. Despite being just shorter than the table, she played with the confidence of a seasoned athlete. At nearly 16, Shin achieved another milestone by becoming the youngest Korean national representative in table tennis, breaking the record of the very Olympic gold medalist she once played against on 'Star King', Hyun Jung-hwa.

As of October 2nd, 2023, Shin Yubin reigns supreme as the world's top-ranked junior player and stands impressive at 8th in the adult rankings. Alongside Jeon Ji-hee, the dynamic duo dominates as the world's top-ranked doubles team in table tennis.

For Korean fans who have closely watched Lee Kang-in and Shin Yubin from their budding days, the journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. Their highs and lows, successes and challenges, resonate deeply, evoking a sense of shared joy and heartache. It's reminiscent of the American fans' connection to Tiger Woods, showcasing how sports transcends boundaries and unites us in shared aspirations and dreams.