"Son of a Chueotang Restaurant Makes History": Oh Hyunkyu Leads Victory with Debut World Cup Goal Despite 38-Degree Fever

Parents Close Restaurant to Cheer On Son at World Cup

Scores Winning Goal After Second-Half Substitution, Finishing Hwang Inbeom's Pass

Shows Fighting Spirit Despite 38-Degree Fever Before Match

Oh Hyunkyu, known as the "son of the Chueotang restaurant," led Korea to a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic by scoring the come-from-behind goal in his World Cup debut. Despite suffering from a high fever of 38 degrees Celsius before the match, Oh was brought on in the second half and netted the winning goal, perfectly erasing the disappointment of having been a reserve player without a jersey number at the 2022 Qatar World Cup just four years ago. Above all, it was reported that Oh's parents, who run a Chueotang (loach soup) restaurant in Namyangju, closed their shop and traveled to Mexico for the tournament, adding an emotional touch to the story.

On the 11th (local time), at the Zapopan Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, the first match of Group A in the 2026 North and Central American World Cup between Korea and the Czech Republic took place. Oh Hyungyu is celebrating after scoring the second goal for the Korean team in the second half. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On June 12, under the leadership of head coach Hong Myungbo, the Korean national football team defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in the first match of Group A of the 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup held at Zapopan Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. Although Korea conceded the opening goal to the Czech Republic in the second half, Hwang Inbeom's equalizer and Oh Hyunkyu's go-ahead goal completed a thrilling comeback victory.

The player who received the most spotlight that day was, without a doubt, Oh Hyunkyu. Coming on as a substitute in the second half, he surged into the box in the 35th minute with the score tied at 1-1, received a pass from Hwang Inbeom, and finished with his right foot. It was both his debut goal in his first World Cup finals appearance and the winning goal that secured victory for Korea. Oh's goal not only delivered a win for the team but also held special personal meaning. At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he was a reserve player, unable to make the final squad, and accompanied the team without even a jersey number, helping senior players in training. Four years later, wearing the symbolic No. 18 jersey of a striker, he took to the World Cup stage and found the net in his very first match.

Oh Hyunkyu is also well known among football fans as the "son of the Chueotang restaurant." His parents have reportedly run a Chueotang specialty restaurant near Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, for many years. In a JTBC interview last March, Oh Hyunkyu said, "When other kids were eating baby food, I was growing up eating rice in Chueotang," drawing attention. When asked how much Chueotang he had eaten while growing up, he estimated, "Probably about ten thousand bowls," expressing both gratitude and pride towards his parents.

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Ahead of this World Cup, his parents' support also drew attention. It was reported that Oh Hyunkyu's parents closed their restaurant for about a month and boarded a flight to Mexico to watch their son compete on the World Cup stage as a national team player. For parents who have supported their son throughout his life, Oh Hyunkyu gave them the greatest gift—a debut World Cup goal.

After the match, Oh Hyunkyu could not hide his emotions. In a broadcast interview, he revealed that his fever reached 38 degrees Celsius before the match, making him worry about whether he could play. However, with the help of the staff and medical team, he recovered, and after coming on as a substitute, scored the winning goal. Oh commented, "It's a feeling I can't put into words," expressing his overwhelming emotions at playing on the World Cup stage, scoring a goal, and leading his team to victory.

Ahead of the World Cup, the support from parents also drew attention. Oh Hyunkyu's parents are known to have closed their restaurant for about a month and boarded a plane to Mexico to personally watch their son play on the national team stage. Screenshot from SNS

Oh Hyunkyu's dramatic journey captured the attention of the online community as well. Netizens commented, "It must have been worth it for his parents to close their restaurant and travel to Mexico," "The son of the Chueotang restaurant made history at the World Cup," "A player who didn't even have a jersey number four years ago is now the hero who scored the winning goal—it's like a movie," and "This is the ultimate act of filial piety." Others praised his mental strength, saying, "Scoring a goal despite a 38-degree fever shows incredible mentality," and "Korea finally has a true striker."

With the win over the Czech Republic, Korea secured a valuable three points from their first group stage match. As Mexico defeated South Africa, Hong Myungbo's team will continue to contend for the top of Group A in their next match against host nation Mexico.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.