Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who was involved in the ‘overuse controversy’, was the only one to train wearing shorts in front of fans. 

However, Kim Min-jae’s left calf was wrapped in a bandage.

The national soccer team, led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, held open training at Mokdong Sports Complex in Seoul on the 18th.  지울프-토토

Korea met with domestic fans a day before leaving for China ahead of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian region second qualifying round match against China.

All players attended the open training that day. 

Most of the players, along with those who played against Singapore last time, came to the training ground and did light training while fans watched.

In particular, fans held their breath and cheered quietly despite the bitter cold that was close to freezing. The players also had a great time in front of the fans.

Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who has recently been under controversy over overuse due to his tight schedule, was the only member of the national team to participate in training wearing shorts. 

Seung-Hyeon Jeong (Ulsan Hyundai), his center back partner against Singapore, also wore short pants, but not shorts. Minjae Kim was the only one.

Minjae Kim trained with a bandage on his left calf. There wasn’t a particular problem.

An official from the Football Association explained, “In the case of Kim Min-jae, there is no particular problem. His physical condition is in good condition.”

However, in the game against Singapore, Kim Min-jae ran and ran again. 

There are already reports in Germany that Kim Min-jae is having an intense season.

TZ expressed concern about Kim Min-jae’s tight schedule, which was close to being overworked, saying

Bayern Munich’s exhausted monster: Kim Min-jae is facing a hellish next schedule.”

Kim Min-jae played full-time in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 2nd qualifying round match against Singapore held on the 16th, contributing to Korea’s 5-0 victory. 

Kim Min-jae will take a flight to China on the morning of the 19th, play against China on the 21st, and then return to Germany to prepare for the game against Cologne on the 25th.

It is a long-distance trip that starts from Germany, passes through Korea and China, and then flies back to Germany.

Besides, he has competitions constantly so he doesn’t have time to rest properly.

Kim Min-jae has been playing full-time for Bayern Munich for the past 14 consecutive games. He has played 1,453 minutes in a Bayern Munich uniform.

He played 959 minutes in 11 league games this season, 90 minutes in one DFB-Pokal game, 360 minutes in four UEFA Champions League (UCL) games, and 44 minutes in one DFL-Super Cup game.

The same goes for his national team. Minjae Kim started as a starter in all 4 A matches in September, 4 A matches in October, and even the game against Singapore. 

In addition, he played full-time in all games except for the Vietnam match, where he played 76 minutes and was substituted. 

This is Kim Min-jae, who played a total of 1,889 minutes for his team and the national team over a period of about three months.

There are also voices of concern in Germany. Bayern Munich general manager Christoph Freund was worried, saying,

Kim Min-jae has been playing full-time in every game for several months, including with the national team. He was tired and had reached his limit.

It is natural for a human being to lack concentration.”

Sport 1 said, “Kim Min-jae does not have time to rest properly even during the international break.

How long will this situation continue?” and “Kim Min-jae is not complaining. But even monsters are tired.

Munich must carefully decide when to give him a break. “He advised.

TZ also brought up the same story. 

The media said, “Kim Min-jae will travel halfway around the world again.

That’s literally it. After playing against Singapore in Seoul, he will move to Shenzhen, China, more than 2,000 km away, to face China,” and “Monster Kim Min-jae is one of the players who plays a lot this season. “The lack of rest time is noticeable.

Munich will have to play in Cologne with Kim Min-jae, who is exhausted, after the international break is over,” he said.

He continued, “Kim Min-jae travels more than 20,000 km by plane during this international match. To travel around the world completely, he needs 40,000 km. This is usually not a problem for Kim Min-jae, who is called a monster.

However, he is accumulating tremendous fatigue. And traces are left behind. “There is,” he said, referring to the murderous schedule.

But it’s not a big problem. On this day, I trained like other players.

Also, even after the Singapore game, Kim Min-jae did not attach much significance to the overuse controversy.

Kim Min-jae said after the game, “I would like to attach great significance to the victory. I am also happy that we won without conceding a goal.”

He added, “It’s better to run than not to be able to run. I’m also working hard to figure out how to improve my concentration or prevent it from breaking.

If I manage it well, there won’t be any major problems.”

When asked about physical fights with opponents, Kim Min-jae explained, “There is nothing particularly difficult or problematic about it.”

Of course, there are concerns. This is because there is a high possibility that China will show a fierce performance when competing against Korea at home. 

Kim Min-jae leaves for China with the national team on the 19th.