A huge advertising banner featuring Minaje Kim, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller caused a stir on the façade of the SJ Art Hall in Seoul. Inside, Michael Diederich greeted the more than 300 fans at the Paulaner Partner Event with a loud "Servus Korea!" and called out to CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, in view of the atmosphere which was reminiscent of big matches at the Allianz Arena: "We should come back!"
Diederich addressed the fans from South Korea as well as the supporters from Germany, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam who had travelled to the stadium specially, who responded with passionate applause. This was followed by an exclusive panel discussion with vice presidents Prof. Dr. Dieter Mayer and Walter Mennekes, hosted by FCB stadium announcer Stephan Lehmann, followed by a Q&A session with Claudio Pizarro, who, together with his fellow legends Giovane Elber and Raimond Aumann, diligently answered requests for photos and autographs at the end of the event organised by the German record champions' fan and fan club support team.
'The fans are the foundation and backbone of our club's success'
"We're rooted in Bavaria and Munich, but at the same time a cosmopolitan club," said executive vice chairman Diederich. "The fans are the foundation and backbone of our club's success, both on and off the pitch, and they all make FC Bayern one of the most successful sports clubs in the world. That's why we're celebrating our work together as one big Bayern family today!"
"We have 360,000 members around the world and the number continues to grow," said Mayer. "1,000 new members were added in South Korea alone last year, which makes us very proud. As a club, we see our members and fans as our foundation, they are the heart of the club. We are open to everyone and want to involve and unite people." Mennekes gave those present a wider understanding of FC Bayern: "We are all fascinated by sport. South Korea is currently very successful at the Olympics with seven gold medals, five silver and four bronze, and FC Bayern is not only active in football for men and women, but also in basketball, table tennis and chess, for example." In basketball, they've hired German national team Gordon Herbert, he explained. "Basketball is also a popular sport in South Korea – sport is what unites us all."
Social values and openness
A club always conveys social values and cosmopolitanism through sport, explained Mayer: "If you look at our professional men's team: we're based in Bavaria and Munich, but we have a mix that makes us proud: German players like Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, young German players like Jamal Musiala, top international players like Harry Kane, plus top Asian players like Hiroki Ito and, above all, Minjae Kim." The South Korean produced exclusive videos with Müller for the fans in his home country this season, the vice president pointed out: "We want to be approachable and bring the sport to the people." The club takes its social responsibility seriously, Mennekes continued at the event: "We want to build bridges through sport and convey an understanding of different perspectives, roles and situations in everyday life through emotions, fair play and values, for example with our 'Red against Racism' initiative or our sports programmes in schools."
Special message from Minjae Kim
The event was rounded off with a special video message from Minjae, who was preparing for the Coupang Play Series match against Tottenham Hotspur in the evening, and ended appropriately with a Bavarian buffet. Veal sausage with sweet mustard, pretzels and Obatzda, plus free Paulaner beer for all guests. Prost – or in the local language: Geon-Bae!
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