Kim Byung-hyun has faced public criticism after releasing a video on his YouTube channel criticizing former national football player Kim Young-kwang’s remark ″Hong Myung-bo, get out.″

On the 28th, Kim Byung-hyun uploaded a video titled ″Speaking Honestly About the 2026 World Cup.″ In the video, he stated that he is not a football player but a sportsman, mentioning that there were many disappointing moments after the recent match against South Africa. He then referred to Kim Young-kwang’s comment ″Hong Myung-bo, get out″ made on the TikTok variety show ″Tiki Tiki Takataka Talk Talk Show,″ expressing discomfort that a junior athlete seemed to have crossed a line with such a remark.

Kim Byung-hyun emphasized, ″While ordinary fans or those wanting change in the football world might say such things, it was bothersome to see a junior who has played sports not respecting the basics.″ He also stated, ″Even when criticizing, one must maintain boundaries,″ adding that expressions like ″Hong Myung-bo, get out″ or ″Myung-bo, let’s do well″ are inappropriate. He added, ″I made this video prepared to receive backlash.″

He also conveyed that he does not deny criticism itself. Kim Byung-hyun said that the coach, management, and players all share responsibility for the national team’s performance, stating, ″First and foremost, the coach must take responsibility.″ However, he explained, ″I was angry as someone who has played sports because the atmosphere of assigning blame has already emerged while there is still a chance to reach the round of 32.″

After Kim Byung-hyun’s video was released, critical comments such as ″The authoritarian culture is scary″ and ″Isn’t this saying the junior was disrespectful to the senior?″ continued to appear in YouTube comments and online communities. One netizen pointed out, ″He rambled on, but what he really wants to say is ’How dare a junior act arrogantly toward a senior,’ right?″

Meanwhile, on the 29th, the day after the failure to qualify for the round of 32 was confirmed, Coach Hong Myung-bo held a press conference at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Mexico, and voluntarily resigned from his position as the national team coach. Coach Hong said, ″I sincerely apologize to the people,″ adding, ″I am stepping down from the position of national team coach. However, I have not given up on my passion for Korean football.″