Park Seo-joon, best friend Son Heung-min, gives a firm 'like' to the 'World Cup apology'.. Friendship that shone in difficult times [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min, captain of the South Korea national football team, posted an apology message following South Korea's early exit from the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup Round of 32. His close friend, actor Park Seo-joon, clicked 'like' on the post.

On the 30th, Park Seo-joon clicked 'like' on Son Heung-min's post reflecting on the match and offering an apology, expressing his support.

In addition to Park Seo-joon, Super Junior's Kim Hee-chul, actors Lee Sang-yeop and comedian Shin Bong-sun, Kim Seung-hye, Shinhwa's Lee Min-woo, singer Choi Hwan-hee, son of the late actress Choi Jin-sil, singer Jina, No Brain's Lee Seong-woo, comedian Park Seong-gwang's wife Lee Sol-i, and dancer Cha Hyun-seung also clicked 'like' on Son Heung-min's post to show their support.

Kim Hee-chul even posted a photo of himself crying on the JTBC variety show 'Knowing Bros' as a comment.

On the morning of that day, Son Heung-min posted a lengthy message on his social media, saying, "I don't know where to begin. I cannot pretend not to know, nor do I want to avoid reality."

South Korea finished third in Group A of the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup group stage with one win and two losses, failing to advance to the Round of 32.

Son Heung-min said, "First and foremost, I sincerely apologize to the people of South Korea and to all the fans who love football. As someone who loves football, if I had watched this match, I would have felt truly regretful, frustrated, and distressed. Therefore, I feel that even a single word of apology is insufficient to capture the fans' disappointment and pain, so I feel that even offering such words is far too inadequate."

He continued, "I wanted to convey this message especially to the fans who are going through the most difficult times, with various emotions crossing their minds every day and every moment. This tournament was the most precious to me as well, and it feels as though the 'stage of a child's dream' that I have always spoken of has collapsed, leaving me indescribably conflicted and heartbroken. To be honest, it is not easy for me to accept this reality even now. Thinking of the fans who are carrying much greater disappointment and pain than I am, I am cautious even about expressing my own feelings, but I believe the fans' feelings are not greatly different from my own."

He added, "I am well aware that many sacrifices were made for this stage. I also feel a great sense of responsibility for not being able to repay the time, hearts, and unwavering support and love you gave us. I am truly, deeply sorry. And I sincerely thank everyone who believed in and supported us until the end and stayed with us."

Meanwhile, Park Seo-joon is scheduled to release the Disney+ original series 'I Am a Sinner' in 2027.

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*This content was translated by AI.