Fierce criticism directed at Hong Myung-bo → In Japan, an unexpected wave of sympathy explodes! "Why not come to Japan instead"? What lies behind this bizarre phenomenon?

*This content was translated by AI.

The eyes of both South Korea and Japan are sharply divided over former South Korean national team coach Hong Myung-bo (57), who announced his resignation taking responsibility for the early exit from the 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean Cup. While fierce criticism is pouring in domestically over his team's irresponsible performance and results, a bizarre phenomenon is unfolding in Japan, where an unusual wave of "compassion" is spreading.

According to a column and local analysis published by Kim Myung-wook (Kim Myung-wook), a third-generation Korean-Japanese sports journalist, on Yahoo Japan on the afternoon of the 30th, voices of sympathy and support for Coach Hong are growing among Japanese football fans and media outlets.

Earlier, Coach Hong's Lee Kkeu-neun (CEO) team bowed its head after being eliminated from the World Cup group stage. Upon returning to the country early on the 30th, Coach Hong faced not a welcoming ceremony but a crowd of over 200 people and YouTubers hurling angry words and accusations. This is the harsh evaluation of South Korean public opinion toward Hong Myung-bo, who faced another failure following the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

However, Japan's reaction is entirely different. On major portals such as Yahoo Japan and on social media, a series of compassionate responses have emerged, including "Hong Myung-bo is pitiful," "Why not come to Japan instead," and "Why not stay in Japan for a while to recharge."

Journalist Kim Myung-wook attributes this bizarre temperature difference to the deep trust Coach Hong built during his time in the J-League and his image as a "man of integrity." Coach Hong played for Bellmare Hiratsuka (now Shonan Bellmare) in 1997 and later for Kashiwa Reysol. In 2000, under the full trust of then-coach Akira Nishino, he became the first foreign player to serve as captain of Kashiwa, leading the team. Analysis suggests that memories of him being called "older brother" by teammates and supporters, earning respect that transcended national borders, remain deeply embedded in the Japanese football community.

In fact, even within Japan's political sphere, there has been a move to shield him. Kono Taro, a National Assembly member who once served as Jeon (CEO)Lee Sa-i-ja (Chairman) of Shonan Bellmare, took to his social media on the 29th to say, "Do not harass Hong Myung-bo, who comes from our home team," intervening to curb excessive criticism in South Korea. Japanese fans who remember his dedication during his J-League days have also expressed the view that "it is harsh to pin the entire team's structural problems on a single coach."

Separate from the fierce accusations of irresponsibility in South Korea, the human capital that Hong Myung-bo accumulated as a football figure on the J-League stage is shaping a unique public opinion across borders at this critical moment.

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*This content was translated by AI.