When sports heartbreak turns into something uglier, people notice. And right now, the internet is calling out one of the most baffling and disturbing examples of misplaced rage we’ve seen at this World Cup.
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What Happened with Congolese-Korean TV Star ?
Following the South Korean national football team’s failure to advance to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, some netizens directed malicious comments toward television personality Jonathan, who is of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent — drawing widespread criticism.
South Korea’s exit was tied to the results of Group K, where the Democratic Republic of the Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 to secure third place, effectively ending South Korea’s hopes of advancing. SBS
The Incident — Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Target | Jonathan, Korean-Congolese TV personality |
| Reason | DRC’s win over Uzbekistan eliminated South Korea |
| Abuse Type | Hate comments on Instagram |
| Jonathan’s Age | Born 2000; arrived in South Korea in 2008 |
| His Connection to the Match | None whatsoever |
| Jonathan’s Response | No public statement made |
| Internet Counter-reaction | Massive wave of support and condemnation of the abuse |
Who Is Jonathan?
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2000, Jonathan arrived in South Korea with his family in 2008. He has been active in the broadcasting industry ever since and has consistently shown his affection for South Korea, often referring to himself as a “Korean-Congolese.” He recently revealed that he has completed his naturalization exam and is currently awaiting the results. SBS
This is a man who has lived in Korea most of his life, built his career there, and calls it home. The abuse he received has absolutely nothing to do with football.
What the Haters Actually Said
The comment section of Jonathan’s latest Instagram post was filled with messages including “Apologize to the Korean people,” “Honestly, you were rooting for Congo, weren’t you?” “Korea got eliminated because of you,” and “Did Uzbekistan lose because you were secretly cheering for Congo?” Herald Corp
The Internet Fights Back
The backlash against the abuse was swift and strong. Many users pushed back, writing that “there is no reason to hold Jonathan responsible for a football result” and that “lashing out at someone based solely on their nationality is no different from racism.” Some users also noted that Uzbekistan defender Husanov’s social media accounts had also received Korean-language hate comments.
Other netizens left messages of support stating: “Why take your anger out on an innocent person?” and “I am sorry on behalf of the people of South Korea.” SBS
This is part of a broader, deeply worrying pattern of online abuse in sport — one that the FIFA World Cup has seen repeatedly across its history, where athletes and public figures from opposing nations become targets of misdirected fan rage. For more World Cup 2026 news, reactions, and analysis, visit TechnoSports. And don’t miss our full FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage on TechnoSports for all match updates and off-field stories.
FAQs
Q: Who is Jonathan and why was he targeted after South Korea’s World Cup exit?
A: Jonathan is a Korean-Congolese TV personality who has lived in South Korea since 2008 — he was targeted solely because the DRC’s win over Uzbekistan eliminated South Korea, which is entirely unrelated to him.
Q: How did the internet respond to the abuse aimed at Jonathan?
A: The overwhelming response was one of condemnation — thousands of users pushed back against the hate comments, calling the behaviour racist and deeply unjust toward someone with no connection to the match.
