South Korean football coach Hong Myung-bo was booed and chanted at by fans upon his return to Incheon International Airport on Tuesday [2].
The hostile reception follows the national team's early group-stage elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup [3], a result that has sparked widespread criticism of the team's leadership and performance.
Supporters gathered at the airport to voice their frustration, specifically targeting the coach with chants of "Hong out!" [1]. The atmosphere remained tense as the team returned home from the tournament, reflecting the disappointment of a fanbase that expected a deeper run in the competition.
Captain Son Heung-min addressed the failure publicly on Monday, June 29, 2026 [2]. In a post shared on Instagram, the captain expressed his regret over the team's performance and the impact on the supporters.
"I am indescribably hurt by our early exit and I apologise to all the fans," Son said [3].
Son urged the public to continue supporting the squad despite the disappointing results. He acknowledged the difficulty of the current situation but pledged to work toward redemption.
"It is not easy to accept this reality, but I will do everything to win back your hearts," Son said [2].
Reports regarding the coach's status varied following the tournament. While some reports indicated Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday, June 28, others focused on his presence at the airport on Tuesday, June 30, where he faced the jeering crowd [1, 3].
“"Hong out!"”
The intense reaction from South Korean fans highlights the immense pressure placed on the national team and its leadership during the FIFA World Cup. The contrast between the captain's conciliatory apology and the fans' direct aggression toward the coach suggests that the public perceives the failure as a systemic leadership issue rather than a collective player failure.
