Case Study: Korean Interpreter West Ham United

A Day with the Irons: Bridging Cultures on Camera with West Ham United Football Club

Some projects start with a long planning process. Others begin with a simple phone call and a ticking clock. This one? It started with both — and the urgent need for a Korean interpreter.

West Ham United Football Club – a top professional football club in the English Premier League were planning something heartfelt: a full-day content shoot to spotlight their Korean fan base – a tribute to the global heartbeat behind local football. The story was going to be told across East London, weaving through streets, landmarks, and the memories that make being a Hammer more than just a pastime.

But there was one challenge: the fan they were featuring spoke Korean. The crew? Not so much.

That’s when the call came in to Linguist Point UK.

"Can you help us… This Friday?"

The brief was clear and urgent. West Ham needed a Korean face-to-face interpreter to accompany their crew from 9am to 5pm, starting at Travelodge Stratford, ending at The Boleyn Tavern – a sacred place for many supporters.

The interpreter would need to jump in and interpret simultaneously as the day unfolded: this meant they were engaging during the journey, on streets while walking to the destination, during interviews, and informal moments. There was no script – just movement, emotion, and a shared purpose.

This wasn’t going to be a suit-and-clipboard job. It required someone who could adapt, connect, and interpret culture just as much as language.

We understood exactly what was needed.

Our certified translations are accepted by:

Listening First, Always

Before matching a Korean interpreter, we asked a simple but important question:

“Is there anything the interpreter should know in advance -specific themes, sensitivities, or terminology?”

The response from the West Ham team was refreshingly thoughtful:

“I’d be happy to arrange a quick meeting or call with the translator ahead of next Friday to give an overview of what we are shooting and some background on our Korean fans.”

That call happened. And it shaped everything. Because good interpreting isn’t just about vocabulary – it’s about showing up already aligned with the values and emotions of the day.

The Right Interpreter Makes All the Difference

We selected a fully qualified, DBS-checked Korean interpreter with experience in sports media, multicultural events, and mobile filming environments. Someone who understood what it means to walk into a moving production and still remain steady.

On the day, they were more than a translator.

They became the bridge between fan and crew, between cultures, between what was said and what was meant.

From Stratford to the Boleyn: A Story Told Seamlessly

The day flowed. The filming moved from one location to the next. The interpreter moved with it – listening, translating, supporting, making sure nothing got lost between languages.

There were moments of laughter, Reflection, and nostalgia and in all of it, the interpreter ensured the Korean-speaking fan felt seen and heard, not just filmed.

More Than a Service. It Was a Shared Moment

When West Ham United came back to us, they shared what we’d hoped for: the day had gone smoothly. Communication was effortless. The fan felt respected. The crew could focus on their job. And the language, rather than being a barrier, had become a tool of connection.

That’s what we aim for every time. Whether it’s a Premier League club or a local community team, we bring the same energy: prepare well, listen closely, match smartly, and deliver with care.

A Word to Other Football Clubs

As a global sport football incorporates a large number of languages. You have teams where the players come from different parts of the world and when you want to tell their stories, or support them off the pitch, interpretation matters.

Not just the words. The understanding behind them.

Whether it’s a press event, media shoot, community feature, or player onboarding – having the right interpreter in the room changes everything.

When You’re Ready, WE’RE HERE

We’re Linguist Point UK, and we work with organizations across sport, public service, media, and beyond — offering expert native speaking interpreters in over 100 languages.

Need an interpreter for your club or production team?

You don’t have to plan months ahead (though we love that, too).  You just need to know who to call.