Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gomurr]

I just read an article on the Korea Times web site. It was talking about how they plan to send the Halla team to japan in order to qualify for the next World Championships in Prague next year(where they will get killed). What really made me laugh was that they had no choice as the other 2 teams in the semi-pro league folded due to lack of support.
Now Korea wanted to host the winter Olympics but they don't have any winter sports outside of speedskating (short track) and skiing has become popular but there are no great international stars. Hockey is probably the biggest spectator sport at the winter olympics and Koreans don't seem to understand that. I remember the Asian Winter games in Kangnung in '98 which were ok. The city built this huge 2 rink complex that hasn't made a single won since the games ended. Why because they didn't develope any kind of minor league or professional sport to fill the void. It's a kind of vindication that the Olympic Commitee gave the 2010 games to a more deserving country.

[howie2424]

It's really too bad because this country does have a small number of gifted players. With a little development they might be able to make a reasonably good showing someday internationally and then, in typical Korean fashion everyone would jump on the bandwagon. Unfortunately there is no interest here where hockey is poorly understood and seen as a sport for rich kids.

[just because]

Ice Hockey was not sustainable here because the big companies just don't enough money to put into sport anymore. Most of them are slowly going downhill and there is no way they are going to let foreign companies sponsor them. Can you imagine the McDonald Bears or the Sony Twins. I think this will be just the start. I think also one of the three major being soccer or baseball is going to suffer badly soon. Basketball should be alright as it is the only winter sport here where as the other two play of each other for sponsorship and crowds.

[gomurr]

I agree that they lack corporate sponsorship kills them but also a lack of local identity. I mean back home it doesn't matter who owns the team, you get behind the city, Montreal Canadians, NY Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Manchester United. All those teams have local identity. The poblem with sports in this country is that there is no real grassroots system(house and minor league). Everything is tied to the schools and only the best players at an early age get any real coaching and later get pampered. Most of the guys on those Korean hockey teams are guys who spent alot of years overseas in Canada or the States(same with their curling and rugby teams). I talked to some of them and even played some shinny with them in Kangnung at a training camp. Trust me their not very good. A small town Jr.D team could whip those guys.

[VanIslander]

I often see skilled rollerblading tots and imagine they could enjoy ice skating, though, I've wondered if hockey appeals to the virtues of Koreans: it's like soccer in many ways yet it's more aggressive, rule-breaking, fast-paced ("bali, bali" quickly, quickly) and focused on physical contact and individual scoring.

If it were to gain momentary popularity, What is it about hockey that wouldn't have lasting appeal to the Korean sense of self and culture?

[gomurr]

Every once in awhile I pull out one of my Don Cherry's Rock em Sock em collection (and even Slap Shot for an older class) for my classes as a break in routine. When polled, most of them think Hockey is fast and exciting but way too dangerous and violent for them. Too bad I can't get my hands on a Toronto Rock Lacrosse video. Wonder what they think of that.

[Stunted Wookie]

I played Lacrosse back home; spent time learning in Awknasasne, Oka.....

Like Hockey it just would not go here....someone might get hurt.