Public Frustration Grows
Public anger over South Korea’s early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has spilled onto the streets of Seoul, where some shopkeepers are jokingly banning former national coach Hong Myung-bo from their businesses.
Footage filmed on Wednesday shows the entrances and interiors of Nudi restaurant and Puzzle Cafe, where stickers and signs read “No Entry for Former South Korea Coach Hong Myung-bo.”
Fans Express Disappointment
“Considering this was probably the strongest squad we’ve ever had, I was really disappointed with the World Cup result. I put up the sign as a lighthearted joke to express that frustration,” the owner of Nudi restaurant said.
“A lot of people stopped to take photos of it. […] Some people even came into the restaurant after seeing the sign,” he added.
The owner said South Korea’s national team should not be treated as a short-term project, arguing that it needs a long-term plan, and that fans may have to be patient even if results do not come straight away.
South Korea won their opening Group A match against Czechia, but back-to-back defeats to Mexico and South Africa sent them crashing out of the tournament. Hong, who took charge in 2024, came under heavy criticism after the results.
World Cup Fallout
“To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations at first. […] But when Korea beat Czechia in the opening game, I started to believe. I thought, ‘Maybe we’ll at least make the Round of 32,'” the owner of Puzzle Cafe said.
He said the final group-stage defeat to South Africa left him furious.
“When I put up the sign, that’s honestly how I felt. I even wrote, ‘Not that he’ll ever come,’ in parentheses. Even if he did show up, I don’t think I’d welcome him,” he continued.
Hong stepped down after South Korea’s loss to Bafana Bafana ended their World Cup campaign.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Taegeuk Warriors reached the knockout stage before losing to Brazil.
Article by Viory
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