Park Ji-sung and celebrities join chorus of condemnation

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo looks on with a grim expression during the 2026 World Cup Group A third-round match against South Africa at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday (local time). [Yonhap]
South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo looks on with a grim expression during the 2026 World Cup Group A third-round match against South Africa at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday (local time). [Yonhap]

A wave of public anger is engulfing the South Korean national football team, with criticism focused squarely on head coach Hong Myung-bo.

After Hong's side suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat to South Africa on Thursday, online reaction was swift and scathing — "at least lose properly" and "we actually lost to them" were among the comments flooding social media. The loss dropped South Korea to third place in their group, throwing their round-of-32 hopes into serious doubt.

JTBC commentator Park Ji-sung did not hold back. "We need to ask ourselves whether Korea actually played to win," Park said. "There was no clear idea of how they intended to attack."

Fellow commentator Park Moon-sung was visibly emotional as he delivered a sharper rebuke. "We had all these talented players together, and there was not a single attacking idea on display," he said. "There was a complete absence of any basic agreement, pattern or tactical plan for how the other players should move when someone had the ball."

Park also criticized the team's player selection. "Hwang Hee-chan had been struggling for form both at his club and with the national team, yet he was thrown into the starting lineup and then pulled off right after halftime," he said. "That is treating a player like a fool."

Celebrities also voiced their frustration. Actor Han Jeong-su directed his anger at Hong, saying the coach had "produced the worst performance in history with the best players — no tactics, incomprehensible team selection, and blaming the players to the end." He added: "The best option for Hong might be to apply for South African citizenship. Do not come back to Korea."

Kim Hee-chul, a member of K-pop group Super Junior, said he does not follow football closely but that everyone around him had told him Thursday's match was a guaranteed Korean win. "I was looking forward to enjoying the game, but I can't stop feeling angry," he said.

Meanwhile, Hong addressed reporters after the match. "The disappointing result is my responsibility as the coach," he said. "I believe the players gave everything they had."


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