'Stay strong, Sonny': Culture minister, celebrities rally around Son Heung-min's post, which draws 1.23 million likes

An outpouring of support has followed a post by Son Heung-min (33, LAFC), captain of the South Korean national football team, after the squad failed to advance to the round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.

Son wrote a lengthy message on his Instagram account Tuesday morning, opening with a sincere apology to the people of South Korea and to fans who love the sport.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young commented on the post, writing: "Stay strong, Sonny. Our eternal captain Son Heung-min and all the national team players gave everything they had, just as they always have. I'm proud of you. I'm cheering you on."

Actor Lee Si-eon left a clapping emoji alongside the words "You've worked so hard." Actor Ahn Hye-kyung wrote "I'm always rooting for you," while Park Seul-gi added: "Thinking of Sonny, who must have been heartbroken yet still thought of the fans first — it brings me to tears. I cannot even begin to imagine how much preparation went into this, or how much thought he put in before stepping onto that stage."

Pyo Chang-won wrote: "Captain Son Heung-min always gives his all with the same unwavering attitude and heart — as a fan, I will always cheer for you with that same steadfast support. The excitement, emotion and joy you have given us over the years are more than enough for any fan and any Korean to be grateful for a lifetime."

Countless other users also left messages of encouragement, telling Son to "keep going," "don't blame yourself" and "you've worked hard." The post had accumulated 1.23 million likes and 30,000 comments.

In his post, Son wrote: "As someone who loves football myself, if I had watched a match like that, I know I would have felt devastated, frustrated and heartbroken. That is why a simple 'I'm sorry' feels hopelessly inadequate to capture the disappointment and pain that fans must be feeling."

"Honestly, even now I find it hard to accept this reality," Son continued. "I hesitate to even speak about my own feelings when I know fans are carrying a far greater sense of disappointment and hurt than I am — but I believe what they are feeling is not so different from what I feel."

Son pledged to return to his best. "I will give everything I have from where I stand," he wrote. "I will run with everything I have got to bring you joy again. I have never forgotten the promise I made to the fans."

Meanwhile, national team head coach Hong Myung-bo and some players arrived back in South Korea through Incheon International Airport on Tuesday morning after the team failed to advance from the group stage.

South Korea was seeking to reach the round of 16 at an away World Cup for the second consecutive time, following the 2022 Qatar tournament. The team finished with one win and two losses for three points, placing third in Group A.

Among the 12 third-place finishers, South Korea ranked 10th and missed the round of 32. The team finished 34th overall in the expanded 48-nation tournament — its worst final ranking in World Cup history.

Criticism mounted against Hong, the squad and the Korea Football Association after an unexpectedly poor loss to South Africa. Police were deployed at the airport to prepare for any contingencies upon the team's return.