World Cup Fever

Korea (like many other countries) is very passionate about their sports teams competing with other countries. As a result when South Korea competes on an international level people come out of their houses to watch the games together on jerry-rigged TV screens in the neighborhood plaza.

Our area has many "courtyards" where kids can run around and play while their parents eat at a friend chicken restaurant or Korean BBQ restaurant. When big games are on these restaurants set up extra plastic tables and chairs so that there is a sprawling mass of tables into the courtyard. When these tables are full there are many many heads craning their necks to get a view of the 32-inch TV screen strung up on the side of a wall or propped up on cardboard boxes.

During the game this past Thursday night (S. Korea vs. Argentina) we had just gotten off work and decided to try and find a table at a local Korean BBQ restaurant. We just grabbed the last open table and settled in to enjoy the game surrounded by World Cup fever and delicious Korean BBQ.

At one point I was walking back to our apartment to grab our camera and just as I was walking away Korea scored their first and only goal. Suddenly behind me a hundred people erupted in cheers! I looked across the street to the other courtyard and it too was erupting in cheers. The apartment buildings and small businesses around me were also cheering. It seemed the everyone in Korea was screaming their excitement. It's true that I didn't witness the goal but I got a totally unique experience being able to see multiple groups of people all united in one exciting moment.

Even though Korea lost (and we were secretly rooting for Argentina in our hearts) we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was an experience like none other.