[Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] MBC Men's Football Final Records 12.6% Rating, Chosen by 2.59 Million Viewers

MBC [Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] A golden finale completed with the 'Eom-ka' card! South Korea men's football defeats arch-rival Japan to achieve the feat of four consecutive titles! MBC reaches a peak rating of 12.6%... Dominating 1st place in all indicators including ratings and number of viewers!

- The eyes and ears of viewers once again turned to MBC! MBC's men's football final ratings and viewer numbers run in an overwhelming 1st place! MBC achieves a 1st place ending, and men's football completes a golden ending! - Once again, the viewers' choice was MBC's Kim Sung-joo, Ahn Jung-hwan, and Seo Hyung-wook! MBC's men's football final ratings swept 1st place across the nation, the metropolitan area, and the 2054 demographic! - At the moment the gold medal was confirmed, the peak rating soared to 12.6%... The moment of gold is with MBC - MBC recorded an overwhelming 1st place in viewer numbers as well, with 2.59 million people (45.7% share) - The witty commentary of Kim Sung-joo, Ahn Jung-hwan, and Seo Hyung-wook exploded until the very end! Kim Sung-joo: “The 'Eom-ka' chance also shone in the final!” Ahn Jung-hwan: “We bought gold with today's card,” Seo Hyung-wook: “A true education showing that Korean football is strong!”

At the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, the South Korean men's football team defeated their arch-rival Japan to win the gold medal, setting an unprecedented record of four consecutive Asian Games titles. Even in the final match against Japan, which was the biggest match of the tournament, the viewers' choice was undoubtedly MBC. MBC vividly delivered the intense heat from the scene in Nagoya, maintaining an overwhelming 1st place in both ratings and viewer numbers, proving the 'Football is MBC' formula once again. Furthermore, the legendary chemistry between caster Kim Sung-joo and commentators Ahn Jung-hwan and Seo Hyung-wook provided a different level of immersion. Amidst the unique tension of the Korea-Japan match, the three broadcasters played a key role in driving the ratings to 1st place by adding precise tactical analysis and witty commentary.

According to data collected by Nielsen, a professional ratings research institution, MBC recorded 1st place in all sectors for the men's football final against Japan, including the metropolitan area households (9.7%), national households (9.6%), national 2054 (4.8%), and metropolitan 2054 (4.5%).

In particular, at the point the match ended with South Korea's 1-0 victory, which decided the fourth consecutive title, the instantaneous rating soared to 12.6% (based on metropolitan area households), recording the highest rating of the Asian Games and concentrating the interest of viewers. Additionally, in terms of the number of viewers, it was announced that 2.59 million people (45.7% share; total viewers for the three terrestrial broadcasters was 5.673 million) watched the joy of the gold medal through MBC, proving the nationwide interest with numbers.

Before the match, caster Kim Sung-joo emphasized the weight of the final, saying, "It is a match where neither team can afford to give in," and commentator Ahn Jung-hwan expressed a desperate wish, saying, "In the end, it's the Korea-Japan match," adding, "Since Korean football is difficult, I hope today becomes a starting point to be loved again by winning the gold medal." Commentator Seo Hyung-wook emphasized the narrative of the final, saying, "As the saying 'a fateful Korea-Japan match' suggests, we met again like destiny."

The final match between South Korea and Japan was as tight as expected. In the first half, both teams operated cautiously, focusing on defense, and commentator Ahn Jung-hwan noted the tension of the final, saying, "It seems they played a cautious game in the first half to reduce mistakes." Commentator Seo Hyung-wook also analyzed, "Both teams spent the 45 minutes cautiously, focusing on the defensive side," predicting a change in the pattern of the second half.

What eventually broke the tight balance was 'Eom-ka' Eom Ji-sung. In the 16th minute of the second half, Yang Min-hyuk did not give up until the end on the right flank to keep the ball alive and deliver a cross, which Eom Ji-sung connected with a calm left-footed shot to shake the Japanese net. It was a moment when the broadcasters' prediction, having expected Eom Ji-sung's performance throughout the match, hit the mark accurately in the final.

The prediction came true. As Eom Ji-sung's opening goal followed Yang Min-hyuk's tenacious play in the second half, the heat at the scene reached its peak. Caster Kim Sung-joo shouted at the top of his lungs, "Yang Min-hyuk's fighting spirit created a goal, and Eom Ji-sung opened the first goal today! The Eom Ji-sung card hits again today!" To this, Ahn Jung-hwan responded with his signature wit, drawing laughter, "We swiped the largest amount on the 'Eom-ka' card today. If this goal becomes the winning goal, we bought gold with today's card." When caster Kim Sung-joo praised, "The Eom Ji-sung card can be seen as the MVP of this tournament," Ahn Jung-hwan's extraordinary chemistry and sense of humor shone as he replied, "Yes, I'm going to make a card for him."

As Japan's fierce counterattack began after taking the lead, the sharp analysis and advice of the broadcasters continued. Ahn Jung-hwan advised, "They must play more intelligently by taking advantage of Japan's urgency. They must maintain space and thoroughly prepare for the opponent's counterattack," and Seo Hyung-wook also encouraged the solid defense, saying, "Our players are throwing their whole bodies into it, showing fighting spirit, such as Kim Ji-su's super tackle and the cooperative defense of Eom Ji-sung and Choi Seok-hyun." He also highly praised Lee Young-jun, who struggled at the very front, saying, "He showed the epitome of an altruistic striker and poured out immense energy."

When the final whistle blew and South Korea achieved the feat of four consecutive titles, the broadcasters shared their emotional thoughts. Caster Kim Sung-joo declared, "By winning the final against Japan, they grabbed the gold medal and completed the four consecutive titles of the tournament," and Ahn Jung-hwan encouraged the players' hard work with a witty comment, "There was much concern and criticism, but in the end, they achieved the four consecutive titles. South Korea is truly a 'jewelry shop'." He then added touching remarks, saying, "Despite the bitter criticism that football is in crisis, the manager and players, who ran toward the goal without wavering, have produced results." Seo Hyung-wook also sent congratulations, saying, "The pressure the players must have felt must have been significant, so it is meaningful that it ended with a wonderful result."

In this way, the 'legendary' chemistry of the three, combining caster Kim Sung-joo's passionate on-site delivery, commentator Ahn Jung-hwan's intuitive analysis and sincere cheering, and commentator Seo Hyung-wook's calm and accurate flow commentary, shone even in the final match. MBC, which most vividly delivered South Korea's golden journey, once again imprinted the true value of 'reliable broadcasting' on the viewers.

Translated from the Korean original with AI. The Korean article was itself written with AI assistance. Read the original (Korean)