Football has its own charm in Asia, and especially South Korea, making it one of the country’s most beloved sports alongside baseball. The country has also produced some superstars in recent times like Son Heung Min and Park Ji-sung amongst others who’ve helped put South Korea on the football map.
This passion also extends to Korea’s entertainment industry, with numerous K-pop idols showing strong ties to the sport. SHINee’s Choi Min-ho, for instance, serves as a K-League ambassador and openly supports Arsenal.
But today, our focus shifts to another star and his football allegiances.
One half of TVXQ’s duo, Max Changmin, also known simply as Changmin, recently caught fans’ attention during a gym session, spotted working out in Real Madrid’s 2024/25 away kit.
The tan-coloured Adidas originals kit, with the sleeves rolled up in the clicks online, certainly looked flattering, as the star displayed a muscular form mid-workout, drawing buzz online.
Does this mean Changmin is a Madridista at heart? Or is this just a fashion moment?
While his Real Madrid workout look has sparked speculation, there’s a twist in the tale: Changmin’s true loyalty lies not with Los Blancos, but with Manchester United.
In the world of football kits, people often buy jerseys for their style as much as for team loyalty. Unless you’re a diehard fan, the allure of a stylish kit can sometimes outweigh allegiance to a specific club.
This could simply be a case of style over loyalty, though it’s understandable why fans might jump to conclusions when they see a star donning a club’s kit.
But when it comes to Changmin’s fandom, there’s ample evidence that his heart belongs to Manchester United. Unlike many casual fans, he follows United regularly and has shared his thoughts about the team’s performance on social media.
When United triumphed 3-0 over Everton in November 2023 with standout goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial, Changmin celebrated the win on Instagram.
He put up an Instagram story when United went 1-0 up early in the second minute thanks to Garnacho:
The text on this story translates to, “I love Nacho (Garnacho)! I love Mainoo! Let’s grow up stong and well kids!” It shows his passion for the club and the endearment he has for the younger players as well.
In a surprising nod to his fandom, Manchester United’s official account responded to Changmin’s story, crafting a message in Korean that read, “We love Changmin!” and also added the Korean love heart emoji to go with it.
Another piece that supports the K-Pop star’s allegiance to Man United is his prized possession- the LEGO Old Trafford Stadium. He posted a picture of the box on Instagram, and mentioned that he received it as a birthday gift.
So, while Changmin’s Real Madrid kit choice might have raised a few eyebrows, his support for the Red Devils is clear. He’s one of us when it comes to supporting their club, celebrating highs and dealing with lows while posting all about it on social media.