Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ABC KID]

I first came to South Korea about three months after the 2002 Soccer World Cup but I had already taken the decision to come so I was an extremely interested TV viewer back home. I remember seeing pictures of the overwhelming passion of the Korean supporters, all in their red soccer shirts, who of course had plenty to celebrate during that world cup. I've read about a small town back in England that witnessed it's Korean population take over the town and all its pubs for a few weeks. I met a rich Korean shortly after coming to Korean who had installed the biggest TV I had ever seen in someone's home, especially for the World Cup.

So for those who were around during the 2002 World Cup, what are your memories?

[RACETRAITOR]

I'm in the same boat as you. I was watching the games back home and thinking about coming here.

One of my friends who was here at the time said Hongdae was clotted with cars, and he and some Korean friends caused a lot of damage to them for entertainment.

[indytrucks]

2002 World Cup was magic here. Loved every second of it. It was hard to not get caught up in the national fervor. Bars and restaurants hummed with atmosphere and excitement. Not to mention the matches. I was at the game in Daejon where Korea eliminated Italy ... sat right behind the goal, in the middle of the Korean supporters, the very same goal where all the goals were scored. When Ahn Jung Hwan scored, the entire stadium shook. Saw several other matches as well, including Brazil v Costa Rica in Suwon and Turkey v. Costa Rica in Incheon. Watched the semi-final at a mate's in Itaewon when Korea beat Spain, and the party in the streets afterward was unbelievable. People riding on the tops of buses, etc.

Awesome time. Never forget it.

[adamginzinger]

Couldn't agree more. Got to see a couple of matches live. The non-korean matches were not all sold-out, which was a little disappointing.

I watched the round of 16 and quarters at city hall, and it was electric. After both games people partied everywhere. People jumped on the back of bongo trucks and raced down the street screaming, yelling, and drinking all night.

The entire country was alive. It felt genuine, awesome.

By contrast, I found the 2006 world cup to be a reach. It felt forced.

[twg]

Not too different.


Noisier, with more drunks wearing red-colored t-shirts passed out on the streets.

[the eye]

I thought the atmosphere was quite different, living in Daegu. The foreigner population was much more cohesive, and the local girls were more responsive. I'm going to take a risk and say that even the prevailing xenophobia was sidelined by increased hospitality.
It was the best year I've experienced here.
I met my best friends because of the cup.

Although I thought the whole Korean fan phenomenon to be hilarious at times. The bad grammar in chants, and slogans. Mothers falling asleep in the stadiums during second half.
And that song that goes "Oh Pillseung Korea!"...which sounded like "Oh Piss on Korea!".

[Mr. Pink]

I loved it!

For those of you who drive in Korea...driving during game days was awesome. Almost no one on the roads because the government asked people to keep traffic down and use public transportation. I worked outside of Seoul and lived in Seoul. Was the best time for driving home afterwork I've ever had.

The huge street parties watching the game(s) in downtown Seoul. I have to say that it was awesome. One of the coolest things I have experienced in Korea. Having complete strangers hug you and kiss you after Korea won...what can I say, it shows a lot about the potential Korea has.

There were negatives, like someone said, drunk people passed out all over the place. Cars honking that clapping chant they had until 5-6am the night after they won a game.

If any sort of event like that goes to Korea again, I'll definitely try my best to be apart of it.

Oh yeah...soccer was on TV 24/7...everywhere. I'd go out to eat: soccer on TV. Hit a bar after that, soccer on TV. And people would be a lot friendly to come up and talk to foreigners too.

[rudiger]

did anyone here question the validity of korea's semifinal appearance? in case you didnt know the italy and spain games were blatantly fixed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4iW8pDnft8

[indytrucks]

[rudiger]

so whats your explanation for it? its obvious in that italian game that either the referee was watching an entirely different game or he had some sort of agenda. you dont think fifa wanted the home team to advance and thereby propel football to popularity here in asia?

hand of god was one lucky play that happened in an instant and was surely tough for the referee to see without the aid of video replay. i was referring to two entire games where the referee seemed to have a blatant agenda as play after dirty play were inexplicably disregarded. those are two different animals entirely.

anyway, i was just curious to what the general korean reaction to this obvious fact (to any football fan) was. if this happened in most countries i believe most fans, while excited and proud, would be a bit sheepish at their stroke of good luck and the injustice to the opposing squad.

[indytrucks]

[the eye]

[rudiger]

[the eye]

[stevieg4ever]

their 'achievement' is highly flawed and dubious. Even Koreans tell me that they think some dirty business was behind some of those decisions and for Koreans to do that is saying something.

Either way though the tournament looked amazing. I guess its just one of those once in a lifetime experiences.