Lee Kang In has made his first public appearance since his recent altercation with Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea national team captain Son Heung Min, and fierce criticism over Lee’s facial expressions has some netizens questioning whether the anger is going too far.
| @kanginleeoficial/Instagram
Last week, in an incident Korean netizens have dubbed “table-tennis-gate,” it was reported that Son Heung Min was injured in a scuffle at a team dinner with Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang In over a proposed table tennis game ahead of their 2024 Asian Cup semi-final match.
Since then, online communities have been rife with arguments, with criticism and defence pouring out for both players. Unsurprisingly, Lee Kang In’s appearance today has ignited yet another discussion on portals like TheQoo.
A video titled “Lee Kang In’s commute to today’s match” quickly spread like wildfire online on February 18. In the video, the soccer player could be seen casually walking into the stadium while whistling, one hand in his pocket. Despite running just a few seconds long, the clip sparked fierce criticism over Lee’s facial expressions.
이강인 옷 뺏어서 내가 입고 싶다 오늘 개이쁘네 pic.twitter.com/49CC9lfpDu
— 강둥이 (@Kanginlee_wife_) February 17, 2024
“There’s no sign on reflection,” said one netizen, while others added their disbelief that he failed to show remorse “even knowing the camera was there…” Another remarked, “This is too much.”
These comments come as little surprise given how strong the negativity towards has been Lee Kang In has been since the incident. Many Korean netizens called his character into question, particularly as Son Heung Min is nine years Lee’s senior.
However, others are beginning to think that the outpouring of anger and critique towards Lee Kang In is going too far. “It feels like they’re piling on too much,” said one netizen, with others agreeing that the negative comments seemed over the top given that relatively innocuous video. With some urging others to “calm down,” one commenter expressed that while Lee’s actions in the incident were not okay, netizens’ reactions have been out of proportion.
It’s true that Lee Kang In did something wrong, but let’s be moderate.
— Netizen on TheQoo
| @kanginleeoficial/Instagram
Negativity towards Lee has risen so high since the incident that some netizens have even gone as far as to call for his removal from the national team and termination of the military exemption he earned for his sporting success.
| @kanginleeoficial/Instagram
Netizens’ recent defence comes after popular singer J.Lee, also known as Lee Jung, defended Lee Kang In (whom he’s known since the latter’s childhood) against the rumours flying around in the wake of the confrontation.
These days, the world is busy spreading gossip before checking the facts, just like I hoped it wouldn’t. Keep going like this, and everything is going to be ruined.
— Lee Jung on Instagram
Lee Kang In went on to play 61 minutes in Paris Saint-Germain’s game against FC Nantes at Stade de la Beaujoire that day, with the team defeating their opponents 2-0.
