For South Korean football enthusiasts, the disappointment of the national team's early World Cup exit rarely ends with the final whistle. Instead, frustration quickly escalates into days of fan fury, apologies, and coach resignations, as the team consistently fails to meet the public's high expectations.

Following South Korea's elimination from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup with three points from three matches, public pressure intensified. Criticism targeted head coach Hong Myung-bo and even President Lee Jae Myung.

"I want to apologize to all South Korean football supporters and the national team. We did not deliver the results fans expected, and the responsibility rests entirely with me as head coach," Hong stated.

Head coach Hong, a former star defender for the national team, announced his resignation on 28/6.

On the same day, President Lee Jae Myung expressed his "complete bewilderment" at the team's performance, questioning the Korea Football Association (KFA)'s decision to appoint Hong.

"When a significant amount of public tax money and state support is invested in the team's World Cup participation, I urge the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to thoroughly investigate the specific circumstances of this incident, analyze the causes, and develop comprehensive measures to prevent recurrence and improve the situation," Lee declared. He added that the government would swiftly advance sports management reforms to ensure such an outcome never happens again.

However, for South Korean football, angry reactions following the national team's early World Cup departures have become routine.

Lee Gi-hyeok of South Korea lies on the field after the loss to South Africa on 24/6. Photo: AP

This pattern began at the 1998 World Cup in France, when the Netherlands defeated South Korea 5-0 in their second group stage match. Head coach Cha Bum-kun was immediately dismissed mid-tournament. South Korea then managed only a draw against Belgium in their final group stage game.

When the KFA technical committee requested Cha's voluntary resignation, he reportedly refused, stating a coach "cannot abandon their team" during a tournament. Nevertheless, the KFA ultimately fired him.

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, coach Hong, then also leading the national team, resigned after South Korea failed to win a match and was eliminated in the group stage.

Public outrage met the team upon their return. At the airport, a fan threw "yeot", a traditional Korean taffy, at the players. In Korean, the phrase "eat yeot" is a curse, meaning "get lost" or "you scoundrels".

South Korean players leave their hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico, on 28/6, after their elimination from the 2026 World Cup group stage. Photo: Yonhap

Similar angry public reactions followed four years later, after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The South Korean team returned home after an unexpected 2-0 victory over Germany, the 2014 World Cup champions, yet some fans still expressed disappointment and anger, throwing eggs at the players.

This year, the South Korean team initially sparked high hopes with a 2-1 comeback win against the Czech Republic. However, they disappointed fans with 0-1 losses to Mexico and South Africa. The team then relied on a potential wildcard spot, only to be eliminated after other teams played their matches on 27/6.

"They endured the humiliation of having their fate decided by another nation, not by their own efforts," Star News Korea reported.

Following the early exit, Hong and eight players were scheduled to return to South Korea early on 30/6, with the remaining players returning in smaller groups later. This raised concerns about a repeat of fan attacks, prompting authorities to increase airport security.

On 29/6, South Korean police announced they were searching for the author of an online post threatening coach Hong upon the team's arrival at Incheon airport.

The anger towards the national team extended beyond social media. Many businesses, including restaurants, pubs, and cafes across South Korea, displayed "No Hong Myung-bo" signs on their doors and windows.

"We should have anticipated this outcome years ago," former South Korean captain Park Ji-sung observed. "We must reflect and question why things have come to this. After a decade of learning how to prepare for the World Cup and developing South Korean football, we have forgotten those lessons."

Ngoc Anh (According to Korea Herald, AP)