Gu Seong-yun, why did he apologize for the 'Son Heung-min-96LINE' controversy? "Malicious shorts and 'devil's editing' hurt my feelings; that was not my intention..." [On-site at Sangam]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun (32) relieved FC Seoul's decade-long championship drought with a penalty kick save. However, immediately after the victory celebration, he conveyed a heartfelt apology to his national team teammates.

In the home match against Gangwon FC in Round 33 of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 season at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 24th, Gu Seong-yun saved Kim Dae-won's penalty kick (PK) during added time in the first half while the score was tied 0-0, leading to a 1-1 draw. Thanks to this crucial save, FC Seoul secured an early K League 1 title (their seventh overall) for the first time in 10 years since 2016, regardless of the results in the remaining five final round matches.

This season, Gu Seong-yun recorded a save percentage of 73.4%, the second highest in the league behind Jeonbuk Hyundai's Song Beom-geun (75.6%). By allowing only 26 goals, the fewest in the league, he added stability to FC Seoul's defense and emerged as a key contributor to the championship.

In an interview at the mixed zone after the match, Gu Seong-yun said, "It is our first title in 10 years, and I am happy that we could clinch it in front of so many fans." He added, "This is my first K League title, so I am extremely pleased."

Reflecting on the penalty kick situation, he stated, "Once the PK was confirmed, I had only one thought: to block it no matter what. My desperation led to the result." Regarding senior teammate Kim Jin-su, who conceded the penalty, he said, "He is a senior who often treats me to meals, and I have always wanted to repay him. I am glad I could settle that debt today."

Amid the joy of victory, Gu Seong-yun offered a serious apology regarding his recent controversial remarks about the national team. Previously, addressing allegations of generational conflict within the national team, he had joked, "I was born in 1994, right between those born in 1992 and 1996, so I can play a mediating role. That is why I think I should be selected for the Na Reul (CEO) team." However, this comment was recently spliced into a YouTube short with the sensational headline "Gu Seong-yun admits to conflict between Son Heung-min and the 96LINE," and it spread in a way that misrepresented him as taking intra-team discord as a given.

Gu Seong-yun confessed, "The remarks I made at the time were twisted and circulated negatively on YouTube shorts, which hurt me deeply." He continued, "There were parts that felt like devil's editing, contrary to my intention. It was not my intent to say it that way, but seeing the interview spread like that, I felt sorry for those players."

He further emphasized his sincerity, saying, "I want to use this opportunity to apologize. Whatever happens, I made those remarks hoping that the national team would move in a correct and positive direction."

Regarding the upcoming announcement of the national team roster, Gu Seong-yun expressed hope for selection, stating, "Since we have shown a decent performance, I think it will be reflected in the decision."

Finally, he vowed, "Although we currently have the fewest goals conceded, I believe there were many goals that could have been prevented. I will show good form in the remaining five matches and defend our title for fewest goals conceded."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original