South Korea's Son Heung-min reacts after the team's 0-1 defeat to South Africa in a Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Thursday. [Yonhap]
South Korea's Son Heung-min reacts after the team's 0-1 defeat to South Africa in a Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Thursday. [Yonhap]

Amid controversy over South Korea's defeat to South Africa in their third Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, actor Han Jung-su has sent a message of support to the players.

Following the match Thursday, Han posted on his social media: "Honestly, I send endless gratitude, trust and encouragement to our players, who must have had the hardest time of all. You worked so, so hard. You were the best."

[Han Jung-su's Instagram · Newsis]
[Han Jung-su's Instagram · Newsis]

South Korea conceded the decisive goal to Tafelo Maseko in the 63rd minute, falling 0-1 to South Africa.

A draw would have been enough for South Korea to advance on their own, but the loss dropped them to third place in the group, leaving their fate dependent on other results.

Han also directed sharp criticism at the coaching staff. "With the best players, they put on the worst performance in history," he wrote. "The complete absence of tactics, the incomprehensible player selections, and blaming the players to the very end showed us what the worst kind of leadership looks like."

"I'm genuinely furious and I've lost my love for football," he added. "It's not just the performance — I'm angry at the manager's attitude."


ygmoon@heraldcorp.com