[인터뷰] 대한민국 축구의 젊은 피, 남태희 선수의 영국유학 시절

Young striker Taehee Nam answered a questionnaire about life in Reading, exclusively for Football Culture.

Football Culture: Taehee, how did you feel when you were chosen to go to England? Did you know anything about Reading (the team or the place) before you left?
Taehee Nam: It was great!  The most pleasing thing was that I was chosen personally by a scout from Reading. The only thing I knew about Reading was that Ki-Hyun Seol was playing at the club.

FC: Were your family pleased, or did they have reservations about you going so far away? Did anyone try to dissuade you from going to the UK?
Taehee: My father and mother were really happy, and they didn’t mind that I would be leaving for far away even though I am the only son...

FC: What were your expectations when you arrived? Did you think that you would be successful, or did you think that you would find it difficult to acclimatise to English football, or English culture?
Taehee: I wasn’t sure if I could finish my training successfully, but set a clear goal before coming to England. If I always tried, I would achieve my goal.

FC: You used to play for Ulsan Hyundai High School. How does your training at a professional football club in England differ from what you did in Korea?
Taehee: I’ve trained with the Under 18s at Reading, but haven’t recognised a big difference between the team and Ulsan Hyundai High School. But what I can say is that the passion and enthusiasm of Reading’s players are higher than that of Korean players and the atmosphere in training is very easy going and we all get on well.

FC: You’ve been training with Reading’s academy team, but recently made your debut for the Under 18 side: can you tell us something about the set up at the club? Is there a difference between the Academy and the Under 18s?
Taehee: My first game in the UK was a kind of a test match rather than an official game. Every week one or two players from other countries come to the youth set-up of Reading for trials. The triallists and players from the U-16s were mixed to make two teams and I debuted in the game. The Under 18s and the Under 16s are set up depending on the players’ ages. But if a player in the U-16s is superb, he might go up to the U-18s.

FC: You also scored your first goal for the Under 18s with a volley against MK Dons earlier this month, having had your debut delayed due to injury and waiting for clearance – what emotions did that give you?
Taehee: I was really happy as I’d had a hard time for a long time due to injury before scoring my first goal.  It was my first time to get injured as seriously as that, so I worried about it a lot. I had resolved not to be disappointed, so the goal was a happy bonus. The goal is still vivid in my mind!

FC: First team wide player Stephen Hunt said he thought you were one of the club’s brightest prospects. Was there anything specific that caused him to say that? How did it make you feel?
Taehee: I feel really good even though I didn’t know that Stephen Hunt praised me like that. I’ll keep doing my best until I get good comments on my play from all Reading’s famous players.

FC: In general, do you have much involvement with the senior players? How do they treat the younger players?
Taehee: There is no hierarchy between senior and junior players and I can have a pleasant chat with all the famous players. It’s so nice and is different from Korea. In particular, Ibrahima Sonko from the first team squad is very kind.

FC: What do you think of the other young players at Reading? Is there anyone to watch for the future? Anyone marked for stardom in your eyes?
Taehee: Many of the young players are excellent. I think that Viktor Unnar Illugason, an Icelandic player, is superb. He is only 18 years old, but signed a professional contract with Reading and  is also a member of Icelandic National Team. He likes football most than anything and tries very hard. Eamonn Dolan, Academy Manager & U18s coach, told me jokingly that Illugason and I may play at the World Cup 2014.

FC: What’s the best experience you’ve had since living in Britain? And what’s the worst?
Taehee: The best experience was when I scored two goals for the Reserve Team. The worst one was when I was injured. I will never get injured again!

FC: Do you have a message for FC readers in Korea?
Taehee: First of all, many thanks for being interested in me and the other Korean players at Reading. I will try to be a mature player by watching and learning a lot during my time in the UK, which is the home of football.

FC: Thanks for your help. We wish all the best for your remaining time in England, and further success at Reading.