Ahn Jung-hwan. TikTok Korea.

Former footballer Ahn Jung-hwan spoke out directly about the controversy surrounding him.

On the TikTok variety show ‘Tiki Tiki Taka Taka Talk Talk Show (Tikitaka Show)’, released on the 28th, Ahn Jung-hwan, Kim Nam-il, and caster Yoon Jang-hyun appeared and discussed several issues that surfaced after the South Korea national football team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America.

That day, caster Yoon Jang-hyun said, “People say you have to put Jung-hwan in the thumbnail or as the main photo for the views to go up,” and Ahn mentioned the recent buzz over a scene of him greeting Korea Football Association officials at an event.

In response, Ahn said, “I went to the event and the chairman was there. Everyone else, the senior figures, were all greeting him, so does it make sense that I alone should pass by without saying hello?” and raised his voice, adding, “That is not it.” Hearing this, caster Yoon Jang-hyun agreed, saying, “That is not it. In the human world.”

By contrast, Kim Nam-il shouted, “Do not greet him!” and, saying, “That is why you keep getting criticized,” expressed regret, while Yoon Jang-hyun also added, “We do not want you to be criticized.”

However, Ahn said, “All we did was greet the elders together, and if I get criticized for that, what am I supposed to do?” and added, “Is it not the fault of the person who took the photo that way and sent it out?”

Earlier, on the ‘Tikitaka Show’ released on the 22nd, Ahn became embroiled in controversy by saying to some football YouTubers who criticized the timing of the substitution of Son Heung-min, “It is unpleasant to see people baiting for attention with things that do not even hold up.”

In the broadcast, he explained, “It is true that the expression ‘things that do not even work’ was rough, but it was not swearing. There is freedom of expression.”

Addressing the criticism that he takes the side of the Korea Football Association, he drew a line, saying, “During the 14 years Chairman Chung Mong-gyu was there, I did not enter the association even once,” and regarding coach Hong Myung-bo, he stated, “He is a senior I respect, but he should resign.”

Meanwhile, the team led by Hong Myung-bo failed to reach the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America, finishing 34th among 48 countries. In particular, after a 0-1 defeat to South Africa in the final group-stage match on the 25th, they faced heavy criticism at home and abroad, and coach Hong Myung-bo expressed his intention to resign on the 29th.