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🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

Footballer's Parents Close Restaurant to Support Son at World Cup; Fans Celebrate Victory

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The parents of South Korean footballer Oh Hyun-gyu have temporarily closed their restaurant to support their son at the U-23 World Cup.
  • Oh Hyun-gyu scored the winning goal in South Korea's opening match against the Czech Republic.
  • Fans have flooded the restaurant's online reviews with praise and well wishes, celebrating the team's victory and Oh's performance.

The parents of South Korean footballer Oh Hyun-gyu have temporarily closed their restaurant to cheer on their son at the U-23 World Cup, a move that has garnered significant attention online. A notice posted at their Chueotang (spicy catfish stew) restaurant in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, announced the closure from June 8 to June 30. The reason stated was to support their son, who is representing South Korea as a national team player in the World Cup.

We will be temporarily closed to support the South Korean national football team's World Cup matches. As our son is participating as a national team player in the World Cup, we want to cheer him on and offer our support from the sidelines.

— Oh Hyun-gyu's ParentsThe notice posted at their restaurant explaining the reason for the temporary closure.

The heartwarming gesture comes as Oh Hyun-gyu scored the crucial winning goal in South Korea's opening match against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, securing their first group stage victory since the 2010 World Cup. The 18-year-old's powerful strike in the 80th minute broke the 1-1 tie and led South Korea to a 2-1 victory.

We apologize for making you visit the restaurant in vain.

— Oh Hyun-gyu's ParentsAn apology included in the restaurant's closure notice to its customers.

Following the thrilling win, online communities and social media platforms buzzed with support for the Oh family. Netizens flooded the restaurant's Kakao Map reviews with five-star ratings and messages of encouragement. Comments ranged from wishing the restaurant's closure to be extended to celebrating the "Chueotang power" behind the winning goal and expressing pride in Oh's achievement.

I sincerely hope the World Cup support closure is extended.

— NetizenA comment left on the restaurant's online review page.

Oh himself has previously spoken about the significance of Chueotang in his life. In a March interview, he humorously attributed his strong physique to eating the stew since childhood, stating, "I ate Chueotang with rice when others were eating baby food." He also expressed immense pride in his parents, saying, "The Chueotang that raised me... I am so proud of my parents."

The winning goal with Chueotang power.

— NetizenA celebratory comment referencing the restaurant and the player's performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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