up its borders to the world. Confucius has helped
keep China true to its history and culture while
bringing in some of these so-called “Western” ideas,
which I believe is just forward thinking and the way
the world will go. younger, you now manage and represent other
footballers (soccer players) through your own
international sports agency based in London.
How does Confucianism influence you as a
modern day football agent?
Q8. Confucianism is over 2500 years old, and
yet still widely practiced, based on ideas which
emphasize the importance of family and social
harmony, rather than on an otherworldly
source of spiritual attainment. What is the
most important aspect of these fundamentals
that you think can help society evolve today in
this fast-paced age of technology in a global
world? JK: Confucianism has always affected me in
everything I do in football. When I used to play, I
would try to lead by example as Confucius believed
you should. I showed respect to my elders and to
authority such as the referee as Confucius would
have wanted me to. There are many ways I could tell
you how Confucius has affected how I played, but
it is true he has also had an effect on my business
philosophy. For one, I show respect to my young
players as I do not know what they may achieve in
the future and must help them and guide them to
their full potential. Another is, I do not waste my
time on players with the wrong mind-set, even if they
have the natural ability to play well. If they do not
conduct themselves well off the pitch, I do not want
to be connected with them. And, most obviously, I
conduct my business with the best interests of my
player(s), the club, and the football industry in mind.
JK: Since Confucius lived 2500 years ago
approximately, it is impossible to draw on his
sayings in relation to the pace at which technology is
advancing. Being a man of tradition, in my opinion,
he would find the extreme pace at which we are
developing quite worrying. I’d imagine he would
fear us losing our moral values to materialistic gain
for reasons of vanity. However, technology and the
world becoming more global come hand in hand. We
can now communicate across the globe in seconds.
I believe he would welcome that. As Confucius
said, “Isn’t it nice to have friends from afar”. For
me, Confucianism is not about how we develop
technology, but what we do with it. For example, in
the use of social media. Social media is a fantastic
way to keep in touch with your friends and family as
you travel and grow, and to keep track of milestones
in your life. It should not be used as a tool to show
off, to seek validation or to abuse others.
Q9. Tell us a bit more about your “awakening”
that occurred while watching the 2008 Beijing
Summer Olympics?
JK: As I mentioned previously, this moment was one
of great significance in my life. It was then when I
realised I am more than myself, and that I was selfish
and small-minded to hide away from who I am and
what I can do with my role. Confucianism is more
than just me, more than just an ancient family. It
is a tool for the people of the world to be able to
understand more about themselves and life.
Q10. Having previously had aspirations to
be a professional football player and several
clubs interested in you when you were
Q11. You have declared yourself as a supporter
of feminism. There are some perceived
misconceptions regarding Confucianism
opposing feminism. Explain please this
common misunderstanding.
JK: There is no misunderstanding when it comes
to what Confucius said about women. I have often
heard people blame a man who was teaching around
2550 years ago for the ignorance of some people
and lack of respect for women today. How you can
blame someone who isn’t alive to defend themselves
or revise their thinking for other people’s narrow-
mindedness is unacceptable. The Analects and the
stories of Confucius are for us to critically analyse
and find out what we agree and disagree with, to
think outside of the box, and even think beyond
what he said. I myself am happy to call myself a
feminist as I do believe in gender equality and
equality of opportunity for everyone, no matter
what race, gender or economic background. I, as a
representative of my family, condemn anyone who
uses Confucius as an excuse for their own ignorance.