[Captured from Kwak Tube's YouTube channel]
[Captured from Kwak Tube's YouTube channel]

South Korea suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat to South Africa in the final group-stage match of the 2026 North America World Cup at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Thursday. The stunned reaction of Son Woong-jung — father of Son Heung-min — was captured in a live-attendance video posted by YouTuber Kwak Tube, who called Thursday's match "honestly the worst of every game I've ever watched in person."

Kwak Tube uploaded the video of his in-person experience at the South Africa match to his YouTube channel on Thursday, Korean Standard Time.

He had painted a Taeguk symbol on his face to cheer on the national team, but wrote after the final whistle: "I'm so disappointed. On my way back after watching the game."

Watching the match live in Mexico, Kwak Tube expressed frustration during the first half. "The accuracy is really poor — not just crossing accuracy, but overall. I think it's the heat. They need to make substitutions. There are too many players who need to be changed," he said.

"What I feel watching this football is that, ultimately, football is a manager's game," he said, and went on to say Thursday's match was "honestly the worst of every game I've ever watched in person."

"The score isn't what matters. I got on a plane to watch this," he added. "I feel this empty — I can only imagine how empty the people who came all this way must feel."

When the final whistle confirmed South Korea's defeat, Kwak Tube said: "This feels like a dream. Is this a dream?"

Also notable in the video was the appearance of Son Heung-min's father, Son Woong-jung.

South Korea had started the match against South Africa without Son Heung-min in the starting lineup and lost 0-1. In the video, Son was visible in the stands, staring at the pitch with a stony expression.

Online viewers reacted to Son Woong-jung's expression with comments including "He must be absolutely devastated," "He's clenching his jaw so hard," "Even he could do a better job coaching than the current manager," and "That look is terrifying."

Former South Korea international Ahn Jung-hwan, who had previously defended manager Hong Myung-bo, sharply criticized the team after the loss, saying it was "the worst game, the manager's responsibility — everything needs to be overhauled."


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com