South Korea captain Son Heung‑min vows to stay after World Cup exit amid coach controversy

South Korea’s 34‑year‑old captain Son Heung‑min posted a heartfelt apology after the team’s 0‑1 loss to South Africa in the 2026 World Cup group stage, dismissing rumors of his retirement and pledging to keep running for the fans.

The disappointing performance also triggered the resignation of coach Hwang Myung‑bo. Public anger toward the former coach persists, illustrated by an AI‑generated video showing dual‑nationality player Jens Castrop striking Hwang, which has garnered over 10 million views and thousands of comments, underscoring continued criticism of Hwang’s tenure.