Oh Hyun-kyu, a forward for the South Korean national soccer team, has become the center of controversy after a netizen targeted his parents' restaurant with a negative review following his winning goal in the match against the Czech Republic.
On June 12, during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, Oh was substituted in the second half and scored the decisive goal, leading South Korea to a 2-1 comeback victory.
Immediately after the match, attention turned to a restaurant in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, operated by Oh's parents. The restaurant had previously announced it would temporarily close from June 8 to 30 to support the South Korean national team, stating, "Our son is participating as a national team player, and we want to cheer him on in person."
A banner was displayed at the restaurant's entrance featuring a photo of Oh, along with messages stating, "Closed for the World Cup support." This story gained traction on online communities and social media, receiving widespread support.
However, one user left a one-star review on the restaurant's page, including derogatory comments aimed at Oh and the national team. The reviewer expressed frustration, saying, "Thanks to him, I lost money betting on the Czech victory," and added, "South Korea will be eliminated in the qualifiers anyway."
Other users reacted strongly, commenting, "But it would have been a draw without Oh Hyun-kyu," "This could be grounds for a lawsuit for interference with business," "This is really ugly," "People say things they wouldn't say under their real names," and "Leaving such comments on his parents' restaurant is crossing the line."
Some netizens called for action against malicious false reviews at the platform level.
In a post-match interview, Oh Hyun-kyu shared, "Before the game, my fever rose to 38 degrees, and I was worried about whether I could play, but thanks to the staff and medical team, I was able to participate and score a goal. I am really grateful to have scored in the World Cup."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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