Lee Byung-hun Meets Son Heung-min on the Pitch After Son vs. Messi Showdown — A Legendary Two-Shot Goes Viral

A surprise meeting between Lee Byung-hun and Son Heung-min is drawing global attention after the actor attended the historic LAFC vs. Inter Miami season opener the match that also marked Son’s first U.S. showdown with Lionel Messi.

A Star-Studded Night for MLS

The 2026 MLS opening match, held at LA Memorial Coliseum, attracted 75,673 spectators, the second-largest crowd in league opening history.

The game was already one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season as it featured:

• Son Heung-min leading LAFC
• Lionel Messi representing Inter Miami

While the two football icons did not directly clash in a dramatic on-field duel, their presence alone turned the match into a global event.

LAFC dominated the night with a 3–0 victory, powered by Son’s performance, while Messi completed the full match without a goal.

The Moment That Stole the Spotlight

Another scene quickly went viral after the final whistle.

As Son walked around the pitch greeting fans, he spotted Lee Byung-hun in the stands. The two warmly shook hands and shared a long conversation on the field.

Lee was seen whispering words of encouragement, to which Son responded with a bright smile — a moment that immediately sent fans into a frenzy.

At the request of local media, the two Korean icons stood side by side for a commemorative photo, creating a rare and symbolic “two-shot” that resonated across fandoms.

“Meeting of Korean Legends” — Global Fans React

The interaction was later shared on MLS’s official social media, captioned:

“A meeting of Korean legends.”

The clip surpassed 27,000 likes within a day, proving the powerful crossover appeal of:

K-drama × K-sports × global football.

Why This Moment Matters Beyond the Match

The scene highlighted something bigger than a single game:

• Son Heung-min expanding his global presence in MLS
• Lee Byung-hun’s continued influence in the international entertainment industry
• The growing cultural impact of Korean stars across completely different fields

For many fans, the image of the two together symbolized the worldwide reach of Korean talent — from Hollywood to global football.