Japanese terrestrial broadcasting is facing a backlash after using a photo of South Korean women's volleyball team captain Kang Sohwi that looked starkly different from her usual appearance during a player introduction, prompting local reactions questioning if it was "malicious."
The controversy arose during the broadcast of the women's volleyball semifinal match between South Korea and Japan at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Summer Asian Games, held at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, yesterday (September 21).
Following the match, Japanese media outlet Nikkan Sports published an article titled "Voices of Confusion Erupt Over Introduction Photo of South Korean Captain in Match Broadcast."
The outlet reported, "The profile photo of South Korean captain Kang Sohwi, displayed in the lower right corner of the broadcast screen by Japan's TBS, looked vastly different from her usual impression," adding that "voices expressing surprise and questioning whether there was a hint of malice followed one after another."
In the comments section of the article, reactions continued such as, "I was shocked because it captured a facial expression in a very malicious moment," and "Don't they usually use an official headshot?"
On social media, one user shared a comparison featuring what appeared to be a direct photo of the broadcast screen alongside Kang's photos posted on the official tournament website and the Korea Volleyball Association.
Another social media user shared the Nikkan Sports article and pointed out the photo used in the broadcast, writing, "I have to admit that this was malicious!"
On this day, the South Korean women's volleyball national team, led by head coach Cha Sang-hyun, suffered a 0-3 defeat in set scores to Japan, failing to advance to the finals.
Today, the national team will face Thailand for the bronze medal, aiming for their first Asian Games medal in 8 years.
(Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Kihyun | Graphics by Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News | Source images: Nikkan Sports, Japan TBS, social media capture)
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