After finally escaping the lower ranks following the lifting of gambling-related suspensions, the Lotte Giants are now embroiled in fresh controversy—this time over their official YouTube channel. The team found itself at the center of a new firestorm after blatantly using terminology from the far-right online community “Ilbe” (short for Ilgan Best).
On the 11th, a video posted on “Giants TV” showed a dugout scene from the previous day’s game against the KIA Tigers. In the clip, a caption combined the surname “Noh” of player Noh Jin-hyuk with the phrase “endless applause,” creating “Noh-muhan applause”—a derogatory expression used by Ilbe members to mock former President Roh Moo-hyun.
The timing and context made matters worse: the game was against KIA, and the targeted player is from Gwangju. With the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement just around the corner, the incident sparked even greater outrage.
The shadow of Ilbe looms large over the sacred realm of sports, resurfacing whenever people start to forget. It has been over a decade.
In June 2017, a hand gesture suddenly appeared on SBS Sports’ live broadcast of a KBO League game. Captured by a camera filming a ceremonial first pitch before the match, the gesture—thumb and index finger forming a circle while the middle and pinky fingers were extended—was suspected to be an Ilbe member identification sign. The game was held in Gwangju between Samsung and KIA.
In October 2013, a terrestrial broadcaster, SBS Sports News, sparked controversy. While reporting that Korea University had achieved a decisive victory over Yonsei University in the regular rivalry basketball game, the news used an incorrect logo for Yonsei. Instead of the correct “ㅇㅅ” (Yonsei) logo, a distorted version resembling “ㅇㅂ” (Ilbe) was displayed.
In August 2015, another logo-related broadcast mishap occurred. JTBC’s “Ssul Jeon” discussed sports marketing and used an Ilbe-modified image of Chelsea FC’s logo. The original lion standing upright was replaced with one in a wheelchair, interpreted as a derogatory reference to both Chelsea fans and disabled individuals.
Extremist groups cleverly parasitize sports broadcasts, perpetuating contempt and hatred. Sports itself bears no guilt.