The 'Korean soccer fans' changed their minds by 180 degrees in just one day... Foreign media also took note: "Cheers for Son Heung-min, boos for coach Hong Myung-bo"

*This content was translated by AI.

Foreign media also focused on the return journey of the Korean national soccer team, whose fans' reactions had completely changed within a single day.

Singaporean outlet The Straits Times, on the 1st (Korean time), reported, "Korean national team captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) received a warm welcome at the airport upon his return, despite the team's early exit from the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup." The outlet added, "Son Heung-min returned home through Incheon International Airport on this day after the team's group stage elimination and was encouraged by Korean fans."

Malaysian outlet The Malay Mail also highlighted the atmosphere surrounding the national team's return. The outlet reported, "Cheers were directed at Son Heung-min, while boos rained down on former Korean national team coach Hong Myung-bo."

The team returned in separate groups. Son Heung-min, along with Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Song Bum-geun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), and Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan HD) arrived through Incheon International Airport on the 1st.

South Korea accepted the shocking result of being eliminated in the group stage of this tournament. Grouped in Group A with host nation Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa, South Korea finished with one win and two losses (three points), placing third in the group. In this tournament, the top two teams from each group and the eight best-performing third-placed teams among the 12th groups advanced to the knockout stage. However, South Korea failed to rank within the top eight among third-placed teams and ultimately missed out on advancing to the round of 32.

Despite the disappointing result, fans' reactions toward players like Son Heung-min were warm. As Son Heung-min and other national team players appeared at the arrival hall, fans gathered on-site were shown on broadcast screens cheering and applauding. Some fans shouted "We love you," conveying their support for the players.

Players such as Son Heung-min and Eom Ji-sung repeatedly bowed to the fans. This appears to be a gesture expressing gratitude for the fans' encouragement and apology for the team's poor performance in the World Cup.

On the previous day, June 30, former coach Hong, along with Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), arrived first. Although the return was just one day apart, the atmosphere at the airport was clearly different.

At the scene of former coach Hong's return, fans poured out fierce boos and criticism. After the team's elimination in the group stage was confirmed, former coach Hong announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the team's poor performance in this World Cup. However, fans' anger did not subside easily. Even before the national team appeared at the arrival hall, some fans shouted "Hong Myung-bo, get out," expressing strong dissatisfaction.

The Malay Mail reported, "Angry Korean soccer fans, furious over the group stage elimination in the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup, sent a single message to the returning national team: his time is over."

Former coach Hong showed no particular reaction to the fans' boos. There was no farewell ceremony, return event, or media activity. With a stern expression, he stared straight ahead and headed toward the exit. Some fans continued to shout "Hong Myung-bo, get out" until the moment the coach and the team boarded the bus, expressing their dissatisfaction. Even under police control, loud voices continued.

The Malay Mail reported, "Korean fans who waited for several hours at Incheon International Airport held up a placard that read 'Korean soccer is dead.' As former coach Hong left the airport, fans booed and shouted 'Hong Myung-bo out,' describing the tense atmosphere." The outlet also explained, "However, the players who followed received applause. As Korean players appeared, one fan shouted 'Good job.' This was a scene sharply contrasting with the boos directed at former coach Hong."

The outlet also introduced interviews with fans present at the scene of former coach Hong's return. Soccer fan Kim Ki-mo told AFP, "Judging by his attitude when he announced his resignation, I question whether it was sincere. Former coach Hong ruined this festival that comes once every four years. I came here to see the person who should take responsibility."

Song Min-kyung expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "I was truly shocked when I saw Son Heung-min sitting on the bench during the South Africa match. I believe that was the starting point where everything went wrong in this World Cup."

South Korea suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat in the third group stage match against South Africa, a game where a draw would have been enough to finish second in Group A and advance to the round of 32. At that time, Son Heung-min started the match from the bench rather than as a starter. Although he was substituted in immediately after the second half began, South Korea failed to score an equalizer. Son Heung-min also finished the tournament without scoring a goal.

The Malay Mail explained, "Korean media referred to the team as a 'golden generation' featuring globally recognized players such as former Tottenham captain Son Heung-min, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in." The outlet added, "With the prevailing view that this tournament would be Son Heung-min's last World Cup, many fans expected the team to reach the knockout stage."

It continued, "Son Heung-min is now 34 years old. However, former coach Hong's decision to bench Son Heung-min in the crucial match against South Africa, which determined whether the team would advance to the knockout stage, left countless soccer fans bewildered and angry."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.