There are a few players that transcend sports. Arguably the greatest player in the history of the sport, Michael Jordan was the first one to take the NBA global. But his reach might be far greater than imaginable. Out of nowhere, a random reference to the Chicago Bulls legend found its way into the Korean music world.
During his solo media appearance, Choi Jongho of the Ateez group would make a startling revelation. According to the 23-year-old, it was Michael who was synonymous with his childhood and his memories of basketball.
“Do you know Michael Jordan? I used to love Michael Jordan as a kid. Basketball = Michael Jordan,” Jongho said during the making of the music video for his song, Everything. The youngest from the group, Jongho was the only one to get a solo, a prodigy of sorts. The official music video has even amassed more than 8.5 million views in just over 3 days.
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So, to find inspiration in a legend like Jordan isn’t exactly surprising. Just don’t ask the international sensation to step onto the basketball court himself. The results won’t be pretty. A part of the song is shot at a basketball court, where the backboard can be seen on fire.
The behind-the-scenes video shows the 23-year-old trying to showcase his basketball skills. However, his shots from the free-throw line were worse than Shaquille O’Neal or Dwight Howard’s, considered two of the worst free-throw shooters in league history. It shows it’s not as easy as it seems on occasion. Moreover, this moment exhibits the impact of His Airness on the whole world.
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From World Leaders to fans, everyone wants to get a glimpse of Michael Jordan
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Fans have often flocked in numbers just to get a peek at His Airness. Not just fans, even North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un was a big fan of MJ and the Chicago Bulls. While Kim’s wish to meet the 60-year-old couldn’t come to fruition, Dennis Rodman came to the rescue as he became a good friend of the Supreme Leader.
Even in South Korea, people equate basketball to Michael Jordan. The 6x NBA champion is so popular in the East Asian country that he opened his Michael Jordan’s Steak House in Incheon last year. Basketball’s growth is often credited to MJ and his Bulls. Furthermore, The Dream Team’s stunning display during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics led to the rise of the sport’s popularity globally, due to which most stars of today are household names all around the world.
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What are your thoughts on MJ’s impact? Let us know in the comments below.
Read: “King of Kings”: Celtics Legend Disregards Bill Russell to Give Michael Jordan Ultimate Credit