Making their first appearance at the World Cup finals since a fairytale run to the quarter-finals in 1966, North Korea were beaten 2-1 by Brazil on Tuesday but emerged with great credit after holding the five-times world champions goalless in the first half.
Jong, whom Asian media have dubbed the 'People's Wayne Rooney', had a tough game against Brazil's world-class defenders but said he had the time of his life.
"When the national anthem played as we lined up with Brazil, I felt like the scene was as if pictures from two different events had been copied and pasted together," Jong said in an interview conducted by a cameraman travelling with the team for an educational documentary programme.
"That moment was that surreal to me, as if I were dreaming. But it was a real situation, and I was overcome with tears of joy."
"I was really happy during the 90 minutes looking at Lucio and Maicon, the world-leading players who dominated the Champions League, running beside me," Jong recalled.
"So I wished the game would continue forever though we were being defeated."
"I think we were lucky to face Brazil in the first round because, since we've already experienced the world's top level football, we can now go out on to the field without any fear no matter how strong the opponents are," he added.
"My personal goal during this World Cup was to score a goal. I hope I can score that one during next match which we must win to advance to the final stages."
