YouTuber Youngalnam, who has 1.21 million subscribers, reported experiencing racial abuse while cheering for the South Korean national soccer team during a match against Mexico.
A recent video on Youngalnam's YouTube channel titled "Shocking Scene of Racial Abuse and Insults During the World Cup Match Against Mexico" details his experience at the match held in Guadalajara, Mexico. The stadium was filled with local fans supporting Mexico, and ticket prices had skyrocketed to several million won, reflecting the heated atmosphere before the game.
Youngalnam and his group wore red jerseys supporting the South Korean team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, while surrounded by fans in green Mexican jerseys. Initially, some Mexican spectators expressed goodwill, saying, "Korea is a brother nation; good luck." However, the mood shifted dramatically once the game began.
As the South Korean players entered the field for warm-ups, they were met with boos. During the match, some Mexican fans seated in the upper levels threw beer cups, shoes, and hats at the South Korean supporters below, hitting some in the head.
Youngalnam reported that the term "Chino" was repeatedly shouted at the South Korean fans, a derogatory term used to belittle Asians. He expressed his disbelief, stating, "I heard 'Chino' so many times it was stuck in my ears. It felt incredibly absurd."
He added, "More than the match result, I hope for a safe and mature viewing culture to be established. I wish the South Korean team success in the remaining matches to advance to the next stage."
Following the release of the video, netizens reacted strongly, stating, "Racism goes against the spirit of sports," and "What if they had won?" Others questioned, "What era are we living in to still have racism?"
Earlier, during a match between Korea and the Czech Republic on June 11 at the same stadium, a male fan drew controversy for making a slant-eye gesture toward a South Korean female influencer. The man was identified as Ulysses Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the Civil Engineering, Topography, and Geometry Association of Jalisco (CITGEJ). Following public backlash over the incident, he posted an apology on social media and resigned from his position.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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