Lee Young-pyo
A speedy and technically gifted full-back who became a trailblazer for South Korean players in Europe's top leagues, starring in a World Cup semifinal run.
Born 1977 (age 49)·South Korean footballer·Birthday: April 23·Generation X
Biography
Lee Young-pyo emerged from Hongik University in South Korea and quickly became a cornerstone of the national team's 'Golden Generation.' His breakthrough came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea, where his relentless runs and defensive discipline on the left flank were vital in the team's shocking run to the semifinals. That performance catapulted him to Europe, where he became a pioneer. At PSV Eindhoven, under Guus Hiddink, he won three Eredivisie titles and was praised by manager Martin Jol as the best left-back in Holland. He later succeeded in the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, demonstrating remarkable consistency and adaptability. Lee's career, spanning over 100 caps for South Korea, is remembered for his professionalism, technical skill, and the path he helped forge for future Korean footballers dreaming of European careers.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Lee was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lee Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Lee's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played a key role in South Korea's historic run to the semifinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
- Won three Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven during his tenure from 2003 to 2005.
- Earned over 127 caps for the South Korean national team, participating in three World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010).
- Successfully played in Europe's top leagues for PSV (Netherlands), Tottenham (England), and Borussia Dortmund (Germany).
Did You Know?
He is a right-footed player who spent most of his career playing as a left-back.
After retiring, Lee became a football commentator and analyst for South Korean television.
He played in the UEFA Champions League semifinal with PSV Eindhoven in 2005.
Lee was known for his exceptional fitness and rarely missed games due to injury throughout his career.
“My role was clear: cover every blade of grass on my side, for the team.”
