He joined the national team in 2001, and fans began taking an interest in him for his dynamic defensive style.

On the medical side, Joo Sae-hyuk relies on glucocorticoids to manage his disease.

Joo Sae-hyuk has helped revive the popularity of the defensive style at the professional level.

[6] He is one of the few top-ranked players in the world (position 5 in 2012)[7] to play a primarily defensive style, repeatedly returning the ball with heavy backspin on both wings.

[8] As with many defenders, his long rallies and entertaining style of play have made him a fan favourite.