Park Joo-ho Faces Cyberbullying After Scoring Winning Goal in Charity Match

Former South Korean national football player Park Joo-ho, widely loved as the father of 'Jjin-geon-na-bly,' is facing unexpected cyberbullying despite scoring the winning goal in the '2025 Nexon Icon Match.'

Park participated in the charity match held on the 14th at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, scoring a skillful chip shot in the 43rd minute of the second half, leading his team, Shield United, to a 2-1 victory and their second consecutive championship.

However, immediately after the match, malicious comments flooded online platforms, with netizens criticizing his decision-making and questioning his participation, stating, "He has no sense," and "Why is he playing when he's not a legend?" Shockingly, the attacks extended to his children, Na-eun, Geon-hoo, and Jin-woo, sparking outrage among fans.

In response, Park Joo-ho took to his social media on the 15th, showing a mature attitude by empathizing with the fans' disappointment. He stated, "I fully understand the fans' feelings of anticipation for a showdown between world-class goalkeepers. I know how special that confrontation would have been on the field, so I deeply empathize with your regret."

He continued, "It was an unforgettable memory for me as well, but I humbly accept that there are various reactions given the high expectations from the fans." He also bowed his head, offering a formal apology to the event organizers and participants, "I sincerely apologize to the event officials and participants who played alongside me."

Park married Anna, who is from Switzerland, in 2015, and they have two sons and one daughter. He gained recognition as 'Jjin-geon-na-bly's dad' through the KBS2 show 'The Return of Superman,' sharing his family life. His wife, Anna, revealed her battle with cancer in 2022 and is currently recovering. Their eldest daughter, 10-year-old Na-eun, dreams of becoming a musical actress, while 7-year-old Geon-hoo is pursuing his dream of becoming a football player.

Park Joo-ho is a former professional footballer for the South Korean national team, having represented his country in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. His family rose to prominence through the reality show 'The Return of Superman,' where he was affectionately known as the father of 'Jjin-geon-na-bly.' He currently works as a sports commentator and media personality.