Reporter Han Nam-jik = The first thing Song Myeong-geun (30, OK Financial Group) had to do to return to the court was ‘to be forgiven’.
When the school violence controversy erupted in February 2021, Song Myeong-geun admitted his past mistakes and gave up playing the remainder of the professional volleyball 2020-2021 season.
Song Myeong-geun visited the victim and asked for forgiveness.
The victim forgave Song Myeong-geun and held out a hand of reconciliation, saying, “I will support you in the future.”
The history of school violence does not disappear. Song Myeong-geun was also unable to free himself from his burden.
However, he received the victim’s forgiveness and was given a chance to stand on the court again after completing his military service.
Song Myeong-geun, who served as a full-time reserve, was discharged on the 5th and became a civilian on the 6th.
OK Financial Group will soon go through the process of ‘disclosure following the expiration of mandatory military service’ for Song Myeong-geun.
Song Myeong-geun is likely to make his comeback in a home game against Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance on the 8th at Sangnoksu Gymnasium in Ansan.
It is the first time in about two years since the Hyundai Capital match on February 12, 2021, that Song Myung-geun will play an official match.
Even before his discharge, Myeong-geun Song took a vacation and trained with his OK Financial Group colleagues.
He also tuned his sense of practice by participating in the ‘chaser match’, an unofficial second-team match.
On the 1st, Song Myeong-geun played a chaser match with Korean Air, and met with reporters after the match.
Song Myeong-geun said, “It’s been quite a while since I got a vacation and trained, but playing in front of fans (unofficial game) makes me nervous. Even though it was an unofficial game, the fans watched and supported me, so I was heartbroken.”
He said, “It was difficult to come to the volleyball court while I was serving in the military. I got a vacation and participated in the chaser match and watched the V-League game. Watching my teammates play, I felt moved thinking, ‘I played really hard on the court to survive’.” “It’s a different feeling than before,” he said, soaked in emotion.
Song Myeong-geun was one of the best outside hitters in the V-League men’s division.
Song Myeong-geun, who entered the V-League as a founding member of OK Financial Group in the 2013-2014 season, became the MVP in the 2014-2015 season championship match, when the team won its first championship.
In the 2015-2016 season he was voted in the best 7.
Although he suffered from injuries and sluggishness, Song Myeong-geun always played as a key player for OK Financial Group.
However, in February 2021, as the facts of school violence in the past became known, Song Myung-geun lost his reason to stand on the court.
Even if it was an incident in the past, it was something that Song Myung-geun himself had to take responsibility for.
During the past two years of not being able to stand on the court, Song Myung-geun deeply reflected and asked for forgiveness. The victim also opened up.
Song Myeong-geun said, “I made a big mistake during my school days. I admit all my mistakes. I was really wrong.”
Song Myeong-geun, who got a chance to stand on the court again, decided to run with ’77’ instead of the ‘1’ he wore before enlisting.
The new #1 owner is Park Seung-soo, a junior outside hitter.
Song Myeong-geun explained, “For Park Seung-soo, number 1 must be a meaningful number. Of course, number 1 belongs to Park Seung-soo,” and explained, “I chose number 77, which has two lucky 7s.”
In terms of power, Song Myeong-geun’s return is expected to be a great boost to OK Financial Group.
If he recovers his game sense, Song Myeong-geun can still play as a top-notch outside hitter in the V-League. He reduced his weight from 95 kg to 88 kg, and his body became sleeker.
However, Song Myeong-geun said, “I don’t think I’ll be the starting player 메이저놀이터. My juniors are doing really well, and I have to keep in sync with the setter.” “He lowered himself.
The many emotions he has felt over the past two years are a good motivation for Song Myeong-geun, who is preparing for a new life.
Song Myeong-geun said, “Watching volleyball outside, he remembered how hard he worked to survive in the professional world. He also felt that he could play volleyball happily only when he became a good person outside the field.”
There are still fans who look coldly at Song Myeong-geun. If this gaze is sublimated as a reason to become a better player and a better person, Song Myeong-geun can play happy volleyball again.