MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Andrea Bocelli and EJAE perform during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)Getty ImagesFor 39 days the 2026 World Cup brought people across the globe together through their shared love of soccer—ahem, I mean football—and delivered plenty of memorable moments. From Norwegian football fans performing the Viking Row to Scotland’s “Tartan Army” parading through the streets of Boston in kilts and carrying bagpipes, various countries proudly showcased their distinctive cultures and passion for the sport on the global stage. And South Korea was no exception, despite its disappointing early exit from the tournament.Here’s a look back at the standout Korean cultural moments from the 2026 World Cup:EJAE Performs ‘DNA,’ The Official Anthem Of The 2026 World Cup, During The Opening CeremonyKorean American singer-songwriter and KPop Demon Hunters star EJAE performed onstage with legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli during the World Cup’s opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11th. They sang “DNA,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which EJAE also co-wrote.“Being a part of the Official FIFA World Cup Anthem means so much to me,” EJAE said in a statement. “It's especially meaningful because I was able to write Korean lyrics in the song. Representing South Korea on this stage is such an honor.”On the official track, EJAE and Bocelli are joined by French DJ and producer David Guetta and American rapper and songwriter Megan Thee Stallion. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Andrea Bocelli and EJAE perform in the Opening Ceremony before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMORE FOR YOUForbesCannes Standouts ‘Hope’ And ‘Colony’ Head To New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF)By Regina KimSouth Korean Football Coach Hong Myung-bo And South Korea’s Disappointing Performance At The 2026 World CupHong Myung-bo, who until recently was the head coach for South Korea’s national football team, became the target of the Korean public’s ire following the country’s early exit from this year’s World Cup. His questionable decisions (including benching star players Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung during the game against South Africa) and the South Korean team’s lackluster results sparked nationwide fury, with sports pundits calling for Hong’s immediate ouster and restaurants and convenience stores in Korea posting signs banning Hong from entering. Soon after South Korea’s elimination, Hong resigned and returned to his native country, where he was booed upon arriving at Incheon International Airport. Amid death threats and public scrutiny, the much-maligned former coach left for the U.S. shortly thereafter.South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung even called for an investigation into the Korea Football Association, and a parliamentary hearing is now scheduled for July 30. Hong has promised to attend the hearing.It should be noted that Hong is a former star soccer player himself and captained the 2002 South Korean national team that stunned the world by finishing in fourth place at the World Cup. It should also be noted that Hong previously coached the national team for the 2014 World Cup, which also resulted in South Korea’s elimination in the group stage and his subsequent resignation. (Talk about déjà vu…) Too bad it looks like Hong might never be receiving the same treatment given to Guus Hiddink, the Dutch former football manager who received a private villa, free flights for life on Korean Air and honorary South Korean citizenship after leading the South Korean team to a record fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Cup.For Koreans, no other team sport inspires as much national pride as soccer, and to this day, many of them reminisce about the 2002 World Cup, where a combination of excellent coaching, relentless playing and a home field advantage helped South Korea beat soccer strongholds like Portugal, Italy and Spain (yes, Spain). Only time will tell if the South Korean men’s national soccer team will ever reach its former glory.ForbesFrom Moana To The Olympics: AANHPI Voices At The 2026 TAAF SummitBy Regina KimSouth Korea’s Football Legend And Cultural Icon Son Heung-minWhereas disgraced football coach Hong returned to South Korea amid calls for him to leave the country, the reception was quite different for South Korean national football team captain Son Heung-min, with fans appearing at Incheon Airport to offer him words of encouragement and comfort. The 34-year-old soccer superstar is currently the most popular and beloved cultural icon in his home country, surpassing other global stars like BTS and Bong Joon-ho in the eyes of most Koreans. ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Son Heung-Min #7 of Korea Republic waves to the fans after the team's victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Korea Republic and Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)FIFA via Getty ImagesMuch to the dismay and bewilderment of South Korean football fans (and international football commentators too), Son was subbed off in the second half of South Korea’s matches against the Czech Republic and Mexico and benched during the first half of the decisive match against South Africa that eliminated Korea from the World Cup. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Son apologized to the people of South Korea and football fans for the South Korean team’s disappointing World Cup performance. He also added that he’d pour everything he has into preparing himself to come back stronger, further reaffirming his earlier statement that he has no plans to retire from football anytime soon.Soon after South Korea’s elimination from the World Cup, Son scored a goal in LAFC’s 3-0 victory over the LA Galaxy. Prior to joining LAFC, Son was the captain of the Tottenham Spurs, helping the team win its first Europa League title in 17 years. The Camaraderie Between South Korean And Mexican Soccer FansSouth Korea may have been beaten by Mexico in this year’s World Cup, but there seemed to be plenty of goodwill between fans from the two countries. Countless clips on social media showed Korean and Mexican soccer fans partying it up and having the time of their lives. Here are just a few examples:Jung Ho-yeon Makes A Surprise Appearance At The 2026 World Cup Closing CeremonySouth Korean model and actress Jung Ho-yeon made a surprise appearance at the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony, presenting the World Cup trophy alongside Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz. For the fifth consecutive World Cup, the trophy was housed inside a bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Carlos Alcaraz and Hoyeon present the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)Getty ImagesHo-yeon, best known for her breakout role in Squid Game, is a global ambassador for the French luxury brand and stars in South Korean director Na Hong-jin’s new sci-fi action thriller Hope, which opens in theaters across North America on September 9th. ForbesWhy Korean Film ‘Hope’ Became One Of Cannes’ Most Talked-About MoviesBy Regina KimBTS Performs During The World Cup’s First-Ever Halftime ShowGlobal superstars BTS joined Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and others in performing at the World Cup’s first-ever halftime show, where the K-pop septet performed their English-language hit “Dynamite.” According to The Athletic, BTS, Shakira and Madonna did not receive a performance fee and chose instead to donate their time to Global Citizen, the advocacy organization that co-produced the halftime show. (It should be noted that some outlets have stated that none of the performers were paid.)EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: (L-R) Jimin, Suga, V, RM, J-Hope, Jin and Jungkook of BTS during the Topps Final Halftime Show at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Getty ImagesNew Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where the halftime show was held, is known for hosting numerous K-pop concerts. BTS will return to the stadium in less than two weeks on August 1st and 2nd as part of their ARIRANG world tour. Forbes‘BTS: The Return’ Documentary: 10 Things You Might Have MissedBy Regina Kim