Lee Hyun-jung's 3-pointers Explode, South Korea Crushes Iran 77-51... Reaches Finals for the First Time in 12 Years

MBC [Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] South Korea Men's National Basketball Team crushes 'arch-rival' Iran and advances to the finals for the first time in 12 years! MBC viewership also maintains its number one streak with the emotional broadcast by MBC's Ha Seung-jin and Ko Kang Yong!

- MBC, Men's Basketball Semifinal viewership ranks 1st in the Seoul metropolitan area X 2054 - South Korea Men's National Basketball Team crushes Iran with solid defense and hot perimeter shooting! Only one step remains until the gold medal! - MBC commentator Ha Seung-jin: “This is the power of South Korean basketball! Today's MVP is Lee Hyun-jung” - MBC commentator Ha Seung-jin: “A victory of complete team play with no distinction between starters and the bench! I am so moved I am speechless” - MBC caster Ko Kang Yong: “Asia is too small for Lee Hyun-jung! The 3rd quarter of South Korea, today was Lee Hyun-jung's 3rd quarter”

MBC continued its streak of number one viewership in the men's basketball semifinal against Iran held on the 18th (Friday) at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

According to data collected by the rating research agency Nielsen, MBC recorded the number one viewership in the men's basketball semifinal, where caster Ko Kang Yong and commentator Ha Seung-jin worked together, with 0.9% (based on households in the Seoul metropolitan area) and 0.4% (based on the 2054 demographic).

In the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, the South Korea Men's National Basketball Team showed overwhelming performance against 'arch-rival' Iran to advance to the finals for the first time in 12 years.

In the men's basketball semifinal held on the 18th (Friday), South Korea defeated Iran 77-51. On this day, South Korea achieved a decisive victory through an organic flow of perfect defense, holding Iran to just 51 points, and explosive offense from the perimeter. Although South Korea's offense was somewhat blocked by Iran's strong pressure early in the game, they took control through early perimeter shots and persistent defense. Lee Hyun-jung, Lee Jung-hyun, and Lee Woo-seok opened up avenues for the offense by successfully making consecutive 3-pointers. The most notable feature of this game was the even performance with no distinction between starters and bench members. Instead of relying on specific players, everyone on the court performed their roles perfectly, showing a highly complete level of play.

The perfect chemistry between MBC commentator Ha Seung-jin and caster Ko Kang Yong further heightened the heat of the match. As the game began, commentator Ha Seung-jin noted the changed atmosphere of the team, stating, “The national team is in a state of higher concentration than ever before.” He continued, “The players are looking for open spaces as well as machines. Ultimately, it is important that scoring comes harmoniously from both the inside and outside,” as South Korea unraveled their offense by moving between the interior and perimeter.

In particular, as South Korea continued their performance regardless of whether they were starters or bench players, he analyzed, “South Korea has no distinction between starters and bench players. Everyone is performing evenly. The biggest reason they can lead is that they gained the advantage in the bench battle,” praising South Korea's wide use of players and even performance in contrast to Iran's reliance on starters.

Furthermore, commentator Ha Seung-jin cited South Korea's defensive concentration as a factor for victory. He praised the national team's defensive ability, which effectively blocked Iran's offense, saying, “The players are defending really tightly. They are forcing them into difficult shooting spaces.” He followed with a sharp analysis: “It is not that the Iranian players are performing poorly, but that the South Korean players prepared well and the defense became solid, so the game is not going their way.”

Exclamations continued regarding Lee Hyun-jung's performance. Commentator Ha Seung-jin poured out emotional praise, saying, “Anyone who saw today's game will feel that Asia is too small for Lee Hyun-jung,” and “Who can stop this player? He cannot be stopped.” Caster Ko Kang Yong also showed a passionate reaction to Lee Hyun-jung's performance. Every time Lee Hyun-jung's 3-pointer landed, he added to the heat of the game with exclamations like, “Without a doubt, Lee Hyun-jung's 'four-point shots' are showing their power. Distance means nothing to Lee Hyun-jung. Today's MVP is Lee Hyun-jung, the ultimate boss of this match.”

Lee Woo-seok's performance also caught the attention of the MBC broadcast team. Caster Ko Kang Yong praised Lee Woo-seok, who continued to play without sparing his body, saying, “This is a game where Lee Woo-seok's fighting spirit and sacrifice stand out so much. It is a performance worthy of an all-rounder.” When commentator Ha Seung-jin responded, “Lee Woo-seok is an all-rounder,” caster Ko Kang Yong drew laughter by matching the chemistry with the witty comment, “He is Pal-bang-woo-seok (All-around Woo-seok).”

As South Korea's passing play came alive, commentator Ha Seung-jin praised the team play, saying, “Did you see that just now? The passes were circulating naturally, one after another. It was such beautiful basketball.” He also highly evaluated the national team's game management, which did not rely on specific players but rather empowered teammates, saying, “The South Korean players are playing altruistically. This is what team play is.”

At the moment they confirmed their place in the finals by completely overpowering Iran, commentator Ha Seung-jin said, “Advancing to the finals with such an overwhelming score gap and performance gives a different kind of morale,” and “The South Korean players themselves are evolving as they play the games.” Caster Ko Kang Yong also said upon the confirmation of South Korea's advancement to the finals, “South Korea is one step away from the gold medal. They overcame Iran more strongly and perfectly.”

Meanwhile, the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games begin their full journey starting with the opening ceremony today (19th). MBC will live broadcast the women's handball preliminary match between South Korea and Hong Kong from 9:45 AM today (19th), hosted by caster Kim Min-ho and commentator Yoon Hyun-kyung. Following this, from 5:20 PM, caster Kim Sung-joo and announcer Kim Cho-rong will live broadcast the opening ceremony from the site, conveying the grand start of the Asian sports festival.

◆ At a Glance

· Publishing Institution: MBC

· Category: Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

· Distribution: September 19, 08:00

Source: MBC Press Release

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