NewJeans' Minji shares unforgettable experience after kicking off soccer match

On August 3 KST, NewJeans took the stage for the halftime show during the Coupang Play Series match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The match drew significant attention as it featured a face-off between Tottenham’s Son Heung Min and Bayern Munich’s Kim Min Jae, attracting a crowd of 60,000 spectators. NewJeans made a memorable appearance as the kickoff performers, and during the halftime show, they heightened the atmosphere by performing their hit songs, including "Attention," "Hype Boy," and "ETA."

What garnered the most attention, however, was NewJeans' impressive kickoff skills. Under the watchful eyes of professional players, the members of NewJeans each delivered strong kicks, with Minji’s powerful strike even earning applause from Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller.

On August 5 KST, Minji shared her belated thoughts on the kickoff through the fan communication platform Phoning. When asked by fans if she was nervous, Minji responded, "Of course, I was nervous with professional players in front and behind me," adding, "But I felt happy after I kicked the ball. It’s over now," expressing her feelings with a playful tone.

During a Phoning live broadcast after the event, Minji said, "I don’t think I’ll ever have the chance to do a kickoff again. We were all so nervous, it was really chaotic." She added with a laugh, "We stayed late at night rehearsing with our managers, saying, 'I can’t do this,' and practicing a lot. I don’t think I could ever do it again," reflecting on the experience.

Fans have been sending messages of support and encouragement to Minji and the other NewJeans members, praising their successful kickoff despite their nerves. Comments such as "You did great, considering how nervous you were" and "You all kicked the ball really well" have been shared.

Meanwhile, NewJeans recently released the double single "How Sweet" and their Japan debut single "Supernatural," actively promoting in both Korea and Japan.

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