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"Hong Myung-bo Entry Forbidden" Sign Appears at Korean Restaurant in Los Angeles
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

"Hong Myung-bo Entry Forbidden" Sign Appears at Korean Restaurant in Los Angeles

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A South Korean restaurant in Los Angeles has posted a sign banning former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo.
  • The video of the sign went viral on social media, extending criticism of Hong to overseas Korean communities.
  • Hong recently resigned as coach following the team's World Cup performance and has since traveled to the U.S., stating he has no immediate plans to return to Korea.

A South Korean restaurant in Los Angeles has joined a growing wave of public criticism against former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo by posting a "Hong Myung-bo Entry Forbidden" sign on its door. The move, captured in a video shared on social media, highlights how disapproval of Hong has spread beyond South Korea to overseas Korean communities.

Korean head coach Hong Myung Bo is banned from entry

— Restaurant Owner AThe owner posted this statement on social media along with a video of the sign, showing the extent of public disapproval.

The restaurant owner, identified only as A, posted the video on January 27th, showing the sign that reads, "Korean head coach Hong Myung Bo is banned from entry." The video quickly gained traction online, particularly as news emerged of Hong's departure to the U.S. after stepping down as coach due to the national team's poor performance in the World Cup qualifiers. Online comments accompanying the video expressed sentiments such as, "Do you think hiding in America will change anything?" and "You won't be welcomed anywhere."

Do you think hiding in America will change anything?

— Online CommenterThis comment reflects the sentiment that Hong cannot escape public criticism even by leaving the country.

This incident follows similar displays within South Korea, where "Hong Myung-bo Entry Forbidden" signs have appeared at other establishments. In one notable case, a mental health clinic posted a sign welcoming Hong, with a message suggesting a desire to understand his motivations. The public backlash has intensified, with a death threat against Hong appearing on an online community on January 28th. The anonymous poster, claiming to be a 41-year-old Korean-American, threatened to commit an act of violence at Incheon Airport upon Hong's return.

You won't be welcomed anywhere

— Online CommenterThis comment expresses the widespread negative reception Hong is facing following his resignation.

Hong officially resigned on January 28th following the team's disappointing results in the North and Central American World Cup qualifiers. He returned to South Korea briefly before departing for Los Angeles on January 30th, just two days after his arrival. Sources close to him indicate he has expressed no intention of returning to South Korea in the near future.

I want to hear his mind

— Mental Health ClinicThis was part of a sign posted by a clinic that welcomed Hong, indicating a desire to understand his actions.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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