When South Korean star footballer Son Heung Min jogged onto the field for the gold medal match at the Jakarta Asian Games on the evening of September 1^st, 2018, he knew that it was going to be a match that would change his life for forever.  After a disappointing result at the FIFA World Cup earlier that year, this was Son’s last chance to avoid wasting 21 months of his prime fitness in mandatory military service.  For top-level male athletes in Korea, winning an Olympic medal or an Asian games gold medal are the only ways to be exempted from serving. 

Son had enjoyed a successful career up to that fateful day in Jakarta so an intrusion of military responsibility would be heart-breaking.  Truth be told, Son knows all too well about the mental and physical stress that comes with intense training under the watchful eye of an army drill sergeant.  Expect for him, when he was growing up, the demanding drill sergeant in his life was his own father.  Son’s father, Son Woong Jung was at one time a successful footballer himself who learned the pitfalls of trying to make a career in the sport.  So, he took it upon himself to train his son with an iron fist in order to insure that he reached his full potential. Son recalls a day when he angered his father and was punished in a way not unlike an army flogging. “He gave us four hours of keepy-uppies,” Son says. “After about three hours, I was seeing three balls. The floor was red [through bloodshot eyes]. I was so tired. And he was so angry.”

While many western sons would have grown up to resent their father for such harsh treatment, Son holds nothing but admiration and respect for his father.  "My father was thinking of what I needed all the time.  He has done everything for me and without him, I probably wouldn't be where I am today.  As a player, you need some help.  It's also important to meet a great manager and there's luck, too.  Everything has come together for me."

Heung Min is speaking of his Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino who allowed him to miss several Premiere League games in order to captain the Korean national team in the Asian games and have a chance to earn army exemption.  Clearly, Son is supported by not only his family, but his country and his club team alike.

In storybook-ending fashion, Son led the Taeguk Warriors to a 2-1 overtime victory over rivals Japan on that humid evening in Jakarta, assisting on both goals.  It was a night to remember that had Son sobbing like a baby when the South Korean president joined the celebration in the team's locker room.  Son Heung Min's future is now bright and obstacle free; an opportunity he is unlikely to squander.  And with the continued support of his family, team and country, the sky is the limit.

Setting: Tottenham, England & Jakarta, Indonesia (Asian Games 2018)  Son Heung Min

Problem: As a South Korean man Son Heung Min is obligated to serve in the military for at least 18 months.  With him currently at the height of his career, such an interruption could affect his fitness and therefore make it impossible to return to the EPL afterward.

Solution: The Korean government grants special exemptions to athletes that earn an Olympic medal, or an Asian games gold medal.  Son is able to lead the Korean national team to a gold medal is football at the Asian games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Moral: Hard work, resilience, and the support of those that care about you can make anything possible.