DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

Um Won-sang apologizes for World Cup results, vows to improve

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • South Korean footballer Um Won-sang expressed regret for not delivering the desired results in his first World Cup appearance.
  • He thanked fans for their unwavering support and promised to grow from the experience to achieve better outcomes in the future.
  • Other national team players, including Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Han-beom, and Lee Jae-sung, also shared their reflections on the World Cup, with some expressing disappointment and others reflecting on their dreams coming true.

Um Won-sang, who made his World Cup debut in Qatar, shared his feelings about the tournament on his personal social media. "It was my first World Cup, so I prepared really hard and it was a stage I desperately wanted to perform on," he wrote. "I am sorry and my heart is heavy that I couldn't show you the results you wanted."

It was my first World Cup, so I prepared really hard and it was a stage I desperately wanted to perform on. I am sorry and my heart is heavy that I couldn't show you the results you wanted.

— Um Won-sangReflecting on his first World Cup experience.

He expressed gratitude to the fans for their support, stating, "Thanks to your cheers, I was able to gain strength in every match." Um Won-sang added, "I learned a lot through this tournament. I will not forget this regret and will grow to repay you with better performances and results."

Thanks to your cheers, I was able to gain strength in every match. I learned a lot through this tournament. I will not forget this regret and will grow to repay you with better performances and results.

— Um Won-songExpressing gratitude to fans and vowing future improvement.

Other national team players also shared their World Cup experiences. Lee Dong-gyeong, who was part of the squad but did not play, called the World Cup a lifelong dream. "Even though I couldn't play on the field, it was an honor to be part of this big stage as a national team member," he said. Lee Han-beom reflected on his dream of playing in the World Cup coming true, calling the experience surreal and unforgettable.

Even though I couldn't play on the field, it was an honor to be part of this big stage as a national team member.

— Lee Dong-gyeongOn being part of the World Cup squad without playing.

Lee Jae-sung also expressed his sorrow over the team's defeat, calling the unexpected outcome difficult to accept. Former coach Jens Castropp acknowledged the journey as unforgettable despite not reaching the Round of 32, vowing to return stronger. Captain Son Heung-min pledged to give his all for the team as long as fans need him.

My dream of playing in the World Cup, which I had since I was young watching it on TV, became a reality.

— Lee Han-beomDescribing his World Cup debut.
DistantNews Editorial

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

More Stories

From Our Blog