Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan entered Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 12th. It was expected that the two players would come out together because they came on the same plane, but Son Heung-min appeared first.
Hundreds of fans were waiting at the arrival hall to watch the two players. Son Heung-min greeted the waiting fans politely and waved to them with a bright expression. However, the arrival hall quickly became crowded with fans who flocked around Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min, buried in the fans, waved his hands and bowed his head and moved to a car parked outside the arrival hall.
When Son Heung-min left, the number of people camped at the arrival hall also decreased. Hwang Hee-chan appeared as the remaining fans waited in an orderly manner.
Hwang Hee-chan immediately approached the fans and started an "instant fan signing event." Hwang Hee-chan repeatedly crossed the passageway and continued to sign autographs and take commemorative photos without leaving out any of the fans lined up on both sides of the exit. Thanks to this, almost all of the fans who waited until the end of the day were able to get Hwang Hee-chan's autograph. The appearance of Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan on a time difference was a clever and caring choice between the two to provide fan service calmly without confusing the arrival hall.
Hwang Heechan approached the fans as soon as he left the arrival hall
Hwang Heechan approached the fans as soon as he left the arrival hall
Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan faced off in the 12th round of the English Premier League (EPL) at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England on the 11th. Wolverhampton came from behind to win 2-1 in the match, which drew attention as the first showdown between the two playing in the Premier League.
Son Heung-min was second in scoring with eight goals (one assist) before the match, while Hwang Hee-chan was showing good performance by scoring offensive points in six consecutive games. However, neither of them scored an offensive point in the game without breaking through the opponent's defenders' intensive checks.
Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan held hands and greeted each other with a big smile before the game, but Wolverhampton's dramatic come-from-behind victory mixed joys and sorrows. While Hwang Hee-chan hugged his teammates and enjoyed the joy of victory, Son Heung-min had no choice but to leave the stadium with a firm look.
They met as enemies in their league, but the two must join forces in the national team. The two, who returned home together, will join the national team led by Klinsmann and play in the second qualifying round of the 2026 North-China-US World Cup on the 16th (Singapore) and the 21st (China). The national team players, who will be convened on the 13th, will begin their first training session at Mokdong Sports Complex.