"Go Away, Hong Myung-bo": Kim Young-kwang Criticizes Lee Seung-woo's National Team Omission, Saying It Was "The Coach's Stubbornness"

[Financial News] Former national team goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang has once again criticized former South Korea national football team coach Hong Myung-bo. He previously drew online attention for shouting, "Go away, Hong Myung-bo."
Kim Young-kwang made the remarks on MBC's "Radio Star," which aired on the 22nd. The episode was a special titled "Now, Dry Your Tears," featuring Kim Jung-min, Kim Young-kwang, Lee Seung-woo, and Jung Seung-hwan.
Addressing his recent outspoken comments, Kim Young-kwang explained that he spoke not as an insider in the football world, but as a fan. He said, "I did not look at it as a football person, but as one member of the public and one football fan," adding, "I was just expressing how I felt, so I think there was nothing I could do about it." He continued, "I won't be in the football world anyway."

As Lee Seung-woo, who appeared on the show with him, opened up about how he felt after being left off the national team, Kim Young-kwang turned his criticism back toward former coach Hong Myung-bo. When Lee said, "My heart hurt for several days," Kim responded, "I always said it. It had to be Seung-woo," and criticized it as "the coach's stubbornness."

Kim Young-kwang also targeted former coach Hong Myung-bo in last month's TikTok entertainment program "Tiki Tiki Takataka Talk Talk Show." Right after a World Cup match, he said, "The chances of advancing to the round of 32 are not low. But..." before shouting, "Go away, Hong Myung-bo."
At the time, public criticism of Hong Myung-bo grew as controversy over the national team selection process overlapped with poor World Cup results. Kim Young-kwang's "Go away, Hong Myung-bo" remark quickly spread online and became a meme, with some football fans calling it a "refreshing comment." Others, however, said the criticism of the coach had gone too far.

Meanwhile, former coach Hong Myung-bo held a press conference on the 29th of last month at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Mexico, and said he would step down from his post.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter