With a stern look and impenetrable expression, 35 year-old Seunggug Jang, from Team South Korea stood as the interview was about to commence. With translation help from his coach Changyong Lee, he shared his story.

Jang lives in the South Korean capital of Seoul, and he is currently working at a recycling factory. “He has been working there for more than two years,” said Coach Lee, with Jang nodding seriously behind him. The South Korean striker has been living in homeless shelters for more than two years too. “He says it was a difficult time,” added Lee. “He had a bad accident a few years ago and his life turned around.” Jang tilted his head to the side to reveal a huge scar that extended from under his left ear to his clavicle. His stoic expression remained unchanged. “He was badly hurt,” continued Lee. “He had to have some operations and couldn’t move his arm.”

After the accident Jang became very depressed, began drinking and subsequently lost his job. Without a support network, Jang soon found himself homeless. “One of his friends told him about a homeless shelter, he started to get some help then.” It was in the homeless shelter where Jang connected with The Big Issue Korea, Homeless World Cup National Partner in South Korea. “He started getting help, and began his rehabilitation therapy,” explained Lee.

After the first set of questions it seemed as if Jang was not comfortable sharing his story – perhaps due to shyness or the language barrier, or maybe remembering was just too painful – but his coach was determined to get him involved. When asked about his time in Amsterdam, Jang’s sullen expression softened, his eyes began to glow and even the tone in his voiced turned gleeful. After several minutes of exchanges in Korean, Lee said: “He cannot explain it, but if he could try to put it in a few words, he would say that Amsterdam means ‘getting his happiness back.’ Through his experience at the Homeless World Cup, he got all his confidence back, and now can stand on his own feet and lead a better life.”

Jang is excited about his future, he is determined to continue working hard and get his own apartment soon. “He hopes he can get married and start his own family one day,” said Lee while Jang smiled and blushed behind him. “He knows that this means a new life for him. A good life!”

When asked who his favourite team was, Jang shouted “Barcelona!” with a big smile, “No need to translate,” added Lee. With regards to the Homeless World Cup, Jang’s favourite team is South Africa: “We often hang out in their bungalows, or they come to visit us. We are good friends,” said Lee. “He says that he will value these friendships for the rest of his life.”

Photography by Romain Kedochim.