World Cup exit sparks 'fury' in Lee Kyung-kyu, who recalls team's 'celebrations' after 2014 failure

Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu, a known fervent football fan, voiced his frustration over the South Korean national team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup, drawing parallels to a past team dinner following a similar disappointment. Lee specifically recalled the team's gathering after failing to advance in the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

During an internet broadcast, Lee expressed disbelief that the team would engage in such activities. "They will have a dinner party. After suffering one draw and two losses in Brazil in 2014, they had a party," he stated. "We were cursed at so much for drinking in Brazil. Singing and dancing."

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(The team) will have a dinner party. After suffering one draw and two losses in Brazil in 2014, they had a party. We were cursed at so much for drinking in Brazil. Singing and dancing.

Lee questioned the efficacy of such celebrations for football development, lamenting the team's performance after years of trying to qualify. "How can football develop when they do such things?" he asked. "After more than ten years, we are playing in the World Cup again, and they have made it this mess." He expressed his anger, asking, "What are we supposed to do?"

Lee's comments touch upon past criticisms leveled against coach Hong Myung-bo, who led the team in 2014. Fans at the time questioned the team's selection, suggesting that favoritism towards associates, rather than merit, led to the team's worst-ever World Cup performance. The team's record of one draw and two losses in the 2014 tournament resulted in their failure to reach the round of 16.

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How can football develop when they do such things? After more than ten years, we are playing in the World Cup again, and they have made it this mess. What are we supposed to do?