[Sportschosun Reporter Kim Jun-seok] JTBC sports commentator Kim Hwan, who is covering the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America on site, went through a frightening ordeal in Mexico after his bag was stolen and he even chased the thieves.
On the 23rd, JTBC Sports' official YouTube channel released a behind-the-scenes video titled "The Story of Kim Hwan's Bag Being Stolen and the Chase, Plus Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min Sending Each Other Hearts."
In the video, Kim Hwan could not hide his troubled expression.
Seeing this, Lee Young-pyo asked with concern, "You said you lost something. Are you okay?"
Kim Hwan said, "I lost $500, along with sunglasses, a hat, a wallet, my ID, and cards," and added, "They hid behind a pillar and stole it."
Bae Sung-jae explained that the theft was a premeditated crime that took place at the hotel.
According to him, the thieves were already waiting when the broadcast team got off the bus and entered the hotel lobby, and they targeted Kim Hwan's bag.
Fortunately, the location-tracking functions on the stolen earphones and tablet PC worked, allowing the team to trace the thieves' route.
Based on that information, local police launched a pursuit. Under mounting pressure, the thieves reportedly abandoned the laptop and tablet PC before fleeing.
Kim Hwan lost several valuables, but he was able to recover the laptop and tablet PC containing his World Cup broadcast materials.
The video also showed Kim Hwan posing for a photo with local police after getting the equipment back, visibly relieved.
Later, on the 24th, Kim Hwan shared additional damage details on his Social Networking Service (SNS).
He said there were signs that the thieves had tried to use his card, and that a local police investigation and a report to the embassy were now underway.
Kim Hwan said, "For those of you here locally, even hotel lobbies are not safe.
Please remember that you must be especially careful of thieves who are hiding," and added, "If a theft occurs, do not act on your own. Report it to the local police or the embassy."
Meanwhile, Kim Hwan is covering JTBC's 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America from Mexico alongside caster Bae Sung-jae and commentator Park Ji-sung.
narusi@sportschosun.com
