Dreams of Soccer Glory: Red Star Alley vs. The Three Brothers

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A group of six children play soccer in a small, dusty courtyard surrounded by towering, worn-out apartment buildings. The children, wearing casual shorts and T-shirts, chase a black-and-white soccer ball. The walls encircling the courtyard are vibrantly painted with large murals depicting famous soccer players in action poses. The background shows rows of apartment buildings adorned with balconies, some draped with hanging laundry. The scene conveys a lively and playful atmosphere amid an urban setting.

Dear Hung-sp,

We had another match today—Red Star Alley vs. The Three Brothers. It ended in a draw, mostly because Min-su kept calling offside, even when the ball was in the neighbor’s cabbage patch.

We finally finished our "team photo" on the wall. Ji-hoon’s Messi looks more like a dancing scarecrow, and my Ronaldo somehow ended up with three knees, but they are with us now. Watching. Playing. Dreaming, just like we do.

One day, we’ll see a real match. In a real stadium. Maybe even be on the wall ourselves. But for now, we have each other, a half-flat ball, and the greatest team in Pyongyang.

Write soon—tell us if they still play under floodlights where you are.

Yours,
Dae-jun