Even an 85-year-old soccer fan is furious... "Hong Myung-bo, what's wrong with you?" Kang Bu-ja publicly criticizes [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

'National Actor' Kang Bu-ja (85) publicly criticized former South Korean national soccer team head coach Hong Myung-bo's conduct.

Earlier, on the 3rd, the fourth episode of Kang Bu-ja's web variety show 'Kang Rich's World Cup Tactics Book' was released on the YouTube channel 'Cheongjamansun'. Soccer commentator Shin Moon-seon, Park Moon-seong, Italian broadcaster Alberto, and German broadcaster Florian appeared as guests.

In the video, Kang expressed deep regret over South Korea's elimination from the 2026 North American World Cup round of 32, saying, "The entire nation is heartbroken. Who could have predicted this would happen?"

While Hong's tactical incompetence was also an issue, criticism erupted regarding his immature behavior upon arrival in the country. Park Moon-seong pointed out, "Our national team was eliminated in the group stage. It was the worst performance in history. To embrace our players, the coach or the president of the Korea Football Association should have bowed their head in front of everyone and taken the blame. I don't understand why that's so difficult."

Kang Bu-ja said, "The airport was chaotic, and I even considered going out to shield our players from whatever might be thrown at them. 'You've worked hard, you did your best.' I wanted to hug our players. But seeing what happened... If Coach Hong had shown some reflection or even shed a tear, the entire nation would have forgiven him." He expressed disbelief.

Shin Moon-seon remarked, "Korea follows Eastern traditions of respect. If I were an administrator at the Korea Football Association and the president arrived 30 minutes late, I would have had the coach wait and enter together. All officials, including association directors, should have come forward to apologize to the public. What if something was thrown? So what? But when (former head coach Hong) left, he didn't even bow his head. He sent goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo ahead of him. Are they trying to catch a ball that might be thrown?" He expressed utter bewilderment.

Kang Bu-ja also repeatedly pointed out, "Cho Hyun-woo is tall, yet Hong followed behind without once lowering his head, staring straight ahead as he walked away."

Continuing, Kang said bitterly, "Hong became a hero like this after scoring a penalty kick against Spain in the 2002 World Cup. Yet this same Hong suddenly fell to the ground. Why is this hero acting this way?"

Soon after, Kang expressed frustration, saying, "Son Heung-min is now a world-class player, isn't he? A treasure of our country on the global stage. We should persuade him to play even if we have to push him, yet why keep him on the bench and protect him?"

He added, "We should be focusing all efforts on Son Heung-min, but they're not doing that. Oh, it makes me so upset."

Park Moon-seong chimed in, "When we told Hong to find a way to utilize Son Heung-min, he found the solution by benching him. Someone said at the airport upon arrival: 'They told them to put Son Heung-min in, and they just put their hands in their pockets.'"

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*This content was translated by AI.