Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SMKOREA]

[bigverne]

[indytrucks]

[eamo]

[Guri Guy]

That sums it up nicely. This "orgy of nationalism" which has very little to do with soccer (or football if you like) is way over the top. I'd try and ignore it but I can't because it is right in my face. Even if I try and avoid it, people make it a point to bombard me with it.
Italy, England, Japan and other countries may be nationalistic but at least they love their soccer. The same obviously can't be said for Korea.
Go Swiss!

[jaganath69]

Homer,

While I find myself agreeing with you more as I stay here, I find that the majority of your opinions represent the opposite end of the spectrum here from the newbie posters, just off the plane who think everything bad to happen to them is an indictment upon the Korean race. However, I don't think its unfair to suggest in this instance, that the reason many foreign residents here couldn't care less about the Korean team is down to the very annoying hyper-nationalism that plagues this country. I honestly want to like the Korean team, but I just find it impossible to feign anything more than mild disinterest. Surely you can see that the factors I outlined earlier can contribute to this.

Eamo and Indytrucks have also hit upon something important that I brought up earlier. The EPL is a microcosm of global football and something you can pretty much watch anywhere in the world, with the exception perhaps of Cuba, the DPRK and here. It speaks volumes about the tone of Korean nationalism that TV stations only deem it worthy when a Korean is playing in it. If that doesn't sum up the whole Korean football fan phenomenon, I don't know what does.

[baldrick]

The VP of my school, normally a docile mild mannered lady, is really beginning to scare me. Since the world cup began her eyes have been glazed over and she seems to be in a far away place. I can almost see the Korean flag glinting in her pupils. She proclaimed to me that it's great when 'powerful' countries such as Japan or the USA lose in the World Cup. That attitude revealed a lot. She was very excited this morning...why? Because Japan are going home. I can't go into the office without her starting a conversation about the WC....usually just 'Mr Jon, Korea, how can we do?'.

All I know is that the World Cup is about FOOTBALL, and when I talk about it with normal people you talk about the GAMES and what happened in them and who scored and bad decisions and the man of the match. I want it to stay that way. Of course we want our respective countries to do well but we have the underlying understanding that sucess in the tournement depends on the ability of the national team, not your prowess as a global economy.

[Gwangjuboy]

[Billy Pilgrim]

[Guri Guy]

Stop being a complete @ss Pilgrim.
Korea need to calm down and detach itself from it's hyper-nationalism. They act like it is life or death. It's just a game for crying out loud.

I'll get up my supposed high horse when you stop being the horse's @ss Pilgrim. Deal?

[Greekfreak]

They were quick to stop showing PSV Eindhoven games when Lee and Park were traded. This is a true football lover's perspective.

[Homer]

jaganath69,

I can indeed understand why the way Koreans support their team might put off some foreigners....I can see that happening.

However, from my perspective Koreans are not doing anything much different from other smaller nations that qualify (and many big football nations) in the WC and then do well.

As for the media, well they are focusing on Korea and its players and that to me is still normal considering their history on the international stage of sports. This is not some long standing football nation that produced many players of international caliber or won many tournaments. Korea remains a small player in international sports so when on of their own does well, the media focuses on this. Personally, I have no problem with that at all but I can understand why some people would.


What I find hypocritical is how some (not you jaganath69) blast Korean fans for doing precisely what fans of other teams do. Thats a double standard and it is silly. I alos find it bizarre to see people denying credit to the Korean team for any positive result they get. It always boils down to "luck" or "corruption" and inevitable it becomes some race bash fest where all Koreans are lumped in one bag.

It is quite normal not to cheer for everyteam and to have your preferences...after all this is a sporting event! It is another to puke on a team just because a person is having a bad time in the country of that team. People are very quick to pass judgement on cultures and peoples they do not understand or try to know....

At any rate...lets stick to Football here!

I hope Korea wins and France wins today. They both go through that way. If Togo should upset France then so be it...it would be a great achievement for that team.

[Guri Guy]

Keep ducking the issue Homer. By and large Koreans are not football fans. It is just an excuse for their extreme hyper-nationalism to run wild. They don't really give a damn about football as shown by their pathetic support of their K League. Japan has excellent support drawing huge crowds. They really love their football over there. K-League provides a good product at a good price. Why isn't it better supported? Answer that Homer.
Koreans are so happy Japan has been eliminated. Many people just had to tell me that. They just can't leave their politcal bickering and nationalism out of it. Why don't you address that issue Homer?

Did you even watch the Short Track Speed Skating Games (Oops, I mean Olympics) Homer? *Ugh*

Obviously though I don't understand Koreans. I am seeing it all wrong. I should wrap myself in the flag and help them cheer on the 4th best team in the World.

[Guri Guy]

However, if they advance fair and square, more power to them. They will then run into Spain or The Ukraine.
I just can't see Korea going farther than the round of 16 if they make it though. I thought their midfield was excellent in 2002 but it is below average now. I also think their defence leaves something to be desired. They do have excellent goaltending and some offensive power. I also think they have a good coach. If they can make it into the quarterfinals, I will be a believer. Until then, we shall see.
I am objective about the whole thing. They have a decent team and they do have a shot if they bring their "A" game. The problem is, they haven't brought it yet and it may be too late after tonight.
I will cheer for the Swiss but I won't be too sad if Togo pulls an upset and denies France. I'd like Spain to get another shot at Korea after 2002. I thought Korea's victory over Italy was perhaps legitimate but Spain clearly got robbed. Could be fun.

[Homer]

They really love their football over there. K-League provides a good product at a good price. Why isn't it better supported? Answer that Homer.

You really do miss the point...

I said new to the international stage of sports...

You know...many nations have weak national soccer leagues with flailing support and yet rally behind their national teams when the big tourney comes along....whats wrong with cheering for your team in the biggest sporting tournament in the world?

They are not all out football fans (Koreans) but they sure are fans of their team...nothing wrong with that.

Japan local football does not draw huge crowds...they drew huge crowds during the qualifiers and at big events....the regular league is midly supported at best. Japan is also not the same as Korea when it comes to its history and place on the international stage.

Why does the K-league draw so little...who knows...how does that discredit the Koreans from cheering their national team on however? How does that make them lesser fans?

Heck..in Canada local football (soccer) has lukewarm support at best (except a few spots like Montreal with its Impact). Yet, if Canada qualified many canadians would cheer like madmen...I guess you would call them out as not being real football fans.

Did you even watch the Short Track Speed Skating Games (Oops, I mean Olympics) Homer

Not much of an Olympic games watcher here....so I could not care less. Korea is solid in that event..makes sense to focus on it. Get off it already.

Koreans are so happy Japan has been eliminated. Many people just had to tell me that. They just can't leave their politcal bickering and nationalism out of it. Why don't you address that issue Homer?


Why?

I find that attidude just as bad as the attitude of blasting Korean fans for cheering on their team.

Also..be honest here..do you think korea has the monopoly on glee when another nation is eliminated... Look at what will happen when Korea is eliminated (whenever that happens)...many will dance on the defeat...how is that different? Wait..its ok because its not Koreans doing it...right forgot the lens only focuses one way.

Who is wrapping himself in a flag...you are a bit of a drama queen aren't you?

I just cheer for the team and for a couple of other teams...whats the big deal?

I find the fan support to the Korean team to be a positive thing..you don't..as I said many times before to each his own.

Cheer for whoever you like...its a personal choice. dislike whoever you want...again personal choice.

I cheer for who I want and quite enjoy the atmosphere around the K-team for this World Cup. I quite enjoyed hearing the K-team fans chanting during the whole game vs France, never giving up on their team. Thats just a good vibe.

why not just enjoy the event and stop bringing politics into the mix. If the Korean media bugs you..watch the games on cable or online...if the fans bug you then deal with it or find something else to do.

Heck, I find the Italian football team to be highly annoying with the dives and opera...but I don't go and condem the entire Italian nation for it. The team is shrouded in a sports corruption scandal that involves the local football league in Italy...but lets not mention that tidbit...afterall they are "real" football fans there....no nationalism involved at all..nope..nothing.

Flashback to 2002...again..well Spain got the short end of a bad ref....then again once it got to the shootout they choked...no ref involved in the shootout now is there?

They had the chance to win in the shootout and crumbled. Case closed.