South Korea's Son Heung-min and teammates react after losing 0-1 to South Africa in their Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday (local time). [Yonhap]
South Korea's Son Heung-min and teammates react after losing 0-1 to South Africa in their Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday (local time). [Yonhap]

"I must have been foolish to think / that I could trust you / I thought I knew your heart / how laughable to realize it only now / Only the sincere ones end up fools / it's always been that way, without fail / The harder I try / the more of a fool you make me / This night feels so wretched because I meant every word … " — from "Jinsimieotdeon Saramman Baboga Dwae" ("Only the Sincere Ones End Up Fools") by singer Kwon Jin-ah

When South Korea's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage was confirmed, it was not a rousing anthem but a quiet, sorrowful breakup song that consoled grieving fans. The song is "Jinsimieotdeon Saramman Baboga Dwae" ("Only the Sincere Ones End Up Fools"), released by singer Kwon Jin-ah in 2016.

JTBC, which broadcast the World Cup, chose the song as its closing track on Sunday, the day South Korea's elimination was confirmed, according to music industry sources. Earlier that morning (Korean Standard Time), the Democratic Republic of Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in a Group K match at Atlanta Stadium in the United States, extinguishing South Korea's last remaining path to the round of 32.

As footage of jubilant Congolese players filled the screen, the lyrics — "Only the sincere ones end up fools / it's always been that way, without fail" — cut straight to the hearts of viewers watching the broadcast.

The decade-old breakup song has crossed eras to become the unofficial anthem of grieving Korean football fans, flooding social media.

Super Junior member Kim Hee-chul set the song as background music for a post on his social media account shortly after the elimination, expressing sorrow over what may be Son Heung-min's final World Cup appearance. Kim wrote, "The song is incredibly sad," adding, "They're saying it came down to one person's mistake. Ha. The players worked so hard."


shee@heraldcorp.com