WASHINGTON -- Shin-Soo Choo, the Rangers' All-Star representative with the 51-game on-base streak, has been down the national hero route before.

In 2000, Choo the pitcher led South Korea to the world juniors championship. In the title game against the United States, Choo struck out future American League Most Valuable Player Joe Mauer at the vital juncture.

In 2010, Choo the hitter carried the Koreans to the gold medal in the Asian Games. The government thought so much of the performance that it exempted Choo from the requirement of two years of military service before age 30.

On Tuesday night, Choo will be the center of attention in his homeland again in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Nationals Park. Choo is the first position player and third Korean overall to make an All-Star team.

A baseball-obsessed nation will tune in to watch its favored son.

"I never think that way," Choo said Monday, with Asian media outlets four-deep around him. "My career is still going. I don't know how I'll finish my career, so I just keep playing.

"If there are kids watching, I hope I show the right example for them."

And what if a Korean kid watches Choo, takes him as a role model and wants to follow in his footsteps?

"If I heard that, it would be great," Choo said. "That would be the best experience."

Seven countries will be represented in the game. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who will handle the National League team, said Choo's presence "is bigger than all of us. ... To see him do what he's done this first half ... I'm excited to see him and have nothing

"The West Wing" television show may have provided the best description of "Han."

In a 2003 episode titled "Han," U.S. president Josiah Bartlett said there was no literal English translation of the concept. Bartlett, played by Martin Sheen, described it as "a state of mind. Of soul, really. A sadness. A sadness so deep no tears will come. And yet there's always hope."

That is where Choo enters the picture. His success has been met with joy by South Koreans. He is a national hero, again.

Sang Soo Lee, Head of Mission for the Consular Office of the Republic of Korea in Dallas, stressed the impact of Choo's accomplishment to his country in a congratulatory statement.

"Choo is our proud connection, bridging between South Korea and Dallas," Lee said. "His fan base includes not only South Koreans in Korea but also 100,000 Koreans in D-FW, where everyone is rooting for him.

"Choo's accomplishment directly relates to the visibility of Dallas in South Korea, as we associate him and the Rangers' home very closely.

"It is indeed exciting to see him at his best, as we consider him our CHOO."

Choo insisted he was unfamiliar with "Han." Nothing could take away from his joy at being in the All-Star environment. Choo admitted it fully hit him that he was an All-Star for the first time at age 36 when he put on the uniform before an afternoon workout.

"It's a great honor for my country and myself and my family," Choo said. "When I came from Korea, I was 18 years old and would never think of this moment, Now, I just want to play one game with the best players."

An entire country will be watching its hero.

Twitter: @gfraley