Entertainer Lee Kyung-kyu laments World Cup exit, jokes about running for football chief

Entertainer Lee Kyung-kyu has voiced his deep frustration with the South Korean national football team's premature exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a YouTube video titled 'Waiting until 2030, I'll stop here,' Lee lamented the team's performance, stating his anger would not easily subside after experiencing similar disappointments.

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I can't stand how we're experiencing the same thing again after being treated like this in 2014. It doesn't make sense.

Lee pointed to the appointment of coach Klinsmann as the beginning of the team's troubles, criticizing what he described as structural problems within the football association. "If a bowl is broken, it can be glued, but it will still have cracks. The bowl itself must be discarded," he explained, arguing that past issues were not properly addressed, leading to the current situation.

Expressing concern for the 2030 World Cup, Lee hoped that star player Son Heung-min would not retire, referencing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's continued participation in the World Cup in their 40s. He questioned whether the coaching staff would change, fearing a repeat of past mistakes.

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If a bowl is broken, it can be glued, but it will still have cracks. The bowl itself must be discarded.

In a moment of jest, Lee declared his intention to run for the presidency of the Korea Football Association. "I think I should try running for the presidency of the football association to build a team," he said, adding that he would meet with a friend named Yoon Seok that evening to recruit support. He also humorously suggested enlisting fellow entertainers Kang Ho-dong and Lee Soo-geun to lead the charge.

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I think I should try running for the presidency of the football association to build a team.