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The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, suffered a shocking defeat against South Africa, and the stern expression of captain Son Heung-min's father, director Son Woong-jung, was captured in the stands.
South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa after a lackluster performance in the third match of the North and Central American World Cup group stage, held in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 25.
South Korea dropped to third place in the group, failing to secure a spot in the round of 32 on their own, which led to a flood of criticism regarding the tactics of Hong Myung-bo's team.
YouTuber KwakTube, who watched the match against South Africa in person in Mexico, uploaded a video to his channel shortly after the game titled "A Vivid Review of the Terrible South Africa Match." An unexpected figure was captured over KwakTube's shoulder as he cheered in the stands.
It was none other than Son Heung-min's father, director Son Woong-jung.
Director Son watched the game with a stern expression, arms crossed, and occasionally stood up abruptly to watch the match.
Even at the moment the game ended in defeat and KwakTube expressed his bewilderment, saying, "It feels like a dream," director Son was captured on camera once again, unable to hide his troubled expression.
This scene spread rapidly through online communities and social media, with netizens expressing their sympathy, saying, "You can feel a father's heart just by looking at him."
As Son Heung-min was excluded from the starting lineup and sat on the bench throughout the first half, the presence of his father, director Son Woong-jung, at the stadium drew even more attention.
After the footage of director Son, which was captured by chance, became a hot topic, KwakTube's side blurred the relevant portion of the video.
Reported by Kang Sun-ae | Video by Jung Yong-hee | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News