KT Has Halsted Commercial Promotions Starting Soccer Player Lee Kang In And Is Reevaluating Their Sponsorship Relationship.

KT has halted commercial promotions starring soccer player Lee Kang In and is reevaluating their sponsorship relationship.

KT, a big South Korean telecom company, has canceled its campaign using Lee Kang In, who is embroiled in a football team scandal. This decision looks to be a response to his critics.

KT quickly withdrew Samsung Galaxy S24 series posters featuring Lee Kang In as the model from all its nationwide agencies and sales points on February 16, according to industry sources. This month’s promotion ended early, instead of on the 17th.

Although KT cited the promotion’s end as the reason for the move, it’s clear that Lee Kang In’s growing unfavorable reputation, including calls to boycott the brand, drove this rapid action. Rarely are posters removed before the offer ends.

KT said they are reviewing several reasons before terminating the sponsorship relationship with Lee Kang In.


KT used Lee Kang In as an advertising model for six years after he won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup’s ‘Golden Ball’ in 2019.

Last month, after the 2023 AFC Asian Cup group stage opener against Bahrain, KT renewed its sponsorship arrangement with Lee Kang In.


Lee Kang In was embroiled in the ‘Table Tennis Gate,’ a national team issue before the Asian Cup quarterfinal match versus Jordan.

According to rumors, the South Korean soccer squad had a team supper on February 5 before their quarterfinal match versus Jordan. The dinner was meant to promote teamwork on the eve of the crucial contest.


On that day, Lee Kang In, Seol Young Woo, and Jung Woo Young left the dinner early to play table tennis.

Team captain Son Heung Min tried to urge the members to stay at the dinner, believing their acts were wrong. He tried, but they ignored him. In frustration at their resistance, Son Heung Min allegedly grabbed Lee Kang In’s collar, forcing Lee Kang In to strike him.