Actor Lee Ki-hyuk targeted by online abuse after South Korea's World Cup qualifier loss

Actor and director Lee Ki-hyuk is facing a barrage of malicious online comments after South Korea's narrow 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The online attacks are not directed at the actor for any of his professional work, but rather due to a case of mistaken identity.

During the match, a football player named Lee Ki-hyuk, who is a defender, collided with South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. This collision led to a missed save and Mexico's captain Luis Romo scoring the decisive goal. Following the loss, some football fans began directing their anger towards the actor's social media accounts, mistakenly believing him to be the player responsible for the crucial error.

The comments left on the actor's social media include accusations such as "You're terrible at soccer" and "Why are you blocking Kim Seung-gyu?" The football player Lee Ki-hyuk's social media account has since been deactivated due to the overwhelming negativity. The actor Lee Ki-hyuk debuted in 2004 and has appeared in various films and dramas, including "Sweet Home" and "Tomorrow."