Nike's New Ad Discourages Budding Athletes, Who Won't Make It Anyway

Just don't do it?

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Nike Korea's new "Just do it" campaign kicks off with "Play Loud," a 90-second short film by Wieden + Kennedy Tokyo. Like past Nike works, it promotes team sports as a way to dodge conformity and express individuality while still wearing matching uniforms.

The spot stars Korean soccer legend Lee Young-Pyo, who appears in an ironic role as a joyless adult telling young athletes in training that they won't make it: "This won't change anything" and "Just do what everyone else does" are themes that resonate, especially for those trying to excel in a culture often defined by strict conformity to social norms.

In the end, the ad encourages athletes to ignore those negative refrains and keep working because that's the only way to win.

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