SEOUL - The illuminated letters over the entrance of the billiard club guide you in: Kimchi, a name that has acquired a magic sound in the billiard world within the last few years. The decor in the room itself, with eight full-size tables, matches the rows of cues, cue-cases and other billiard paraphernalia in style. The owner, 49-year old Mr. Jong Ryul Kim, welcomes us into his fancy office. Belgians Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Leppens, two of the almost fifty players that are supported by Kimchi, have just arrived in their Korean second home, in preparation of the Guri World Cupi.
The first impression made by the Kimchi headquarters, located in the immense district of Gangnam, close to the Seoul city centre, is one of quality, success and most of all friendship amongst the players. Jong Ryul Kim, who runs two more billiard rooms in the district that was made famous by the monster hit Gangnam-style, emphasizes that camaraderie and good behavior inside and outside the arena play a major part in the selection of players that receive Kimchi sponsorship.
Frédéric Caudron: ,,I am honored to play for Kimchi. We are always received with open arms, we get to practice under perfect conditions, and we feel the warmth in our relationship with the sponsor and each other as players.'' Eddy Leppens: ,,If you arrive here, you feel as if you've just come home. We get everything we need, and the best is not good enough.''
The world number one, Frédéric Caudron, was the first of the top players to sign with Kimchi in late 2011. He was later followed by Marco Zanetti, Eddy Merckx, Jae Guen Kim, Hwang Hyung Bum, Therese Klompenhouwer, Birol Uymaz and Huberney Cataño.
Jong Ryul Kim: ,,Frédéric Caudron impressed me, not only as an excellent player, but also as a gentleman with a fine character. The image of the players is the basis for sponsorship. We want to focus on Colombian players as well, which is why we now have Huberney Cataño amongst us. Two years ago, I also asked Therese Klompenhouwer, because of her courage, talent and persona.''
The likeable sponsor was once a player himself, and in 2007 he opened his first Kimchi club with nine tables. He left the billiard world for four years, but soon returned. ,,I want to share my passion with the players, because I have this sport in my heart'', he starts to say. ,,It is not just important that my team is successful. I also value atmosphere, friendship and sportsmanship. The Kimchi club is family, we live together like brothers and sisters.''
,,Billiard players need to learn how to handle the media and the spectators'', he says. ,,There are many examples, such as golf and tennis. I want my players to improve their lives, I want to support them in that journey and I think they should be good ambassadors for their sport. We must put billiards in the spotlight, all over the world. And media attention is the crucial factor in doing that.''
In addition to the three billiard rooms, with 28 full size tables in total and ten smaller billiards, the Kimchi shop opened five years ago. Kimchi is now the importer and distributor of the famous Longoni cues, Verhoeven billiards and Buffalo cues. Frédéric Caudron: ,,Many players come to the shop, so they can try out the equipment for themselves in the club.''
Kimchi sells around sixty match tables a year in South-Korea. The Longoni brands (made in Italy) have a reputation worldwide. The Kimchi billiard room is open from 10.00 until 03.00. The staff works is two shifts, with two or three people always cleaning the tables and balls, to make playing conditions perfect. The system is the same as in the other 10.000 rooms in Seoul: twelve euro for an hour of play, loser pays the table rent and drinks are free.
Some of the best Kimchi players before the start of a World Cup
Mr. Kim in his billiard shop with Eddy Leppens (l) and Frédéric Caudron (r)
The Kimchi owner at the entrance of his billiard club