Korea V. Togo

View of City Hall from above. Can you see me?
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If you are a T-shirt vendor in Korea there is a good chance that A. you were selling some sort of red Korea World Cup shirt and B. You had a great week!

Without exaggeration I would guess that about 80% of Korea was wearing either a red World Cup T-shirt or something red to support their team.  Of a country of 50 million that is a hell of a number!

There were so many people there that we literally couldn't move--- we were just caught into the sea of people around us.

Ahn Jung-wan and Lee Ho hugging after their GOAL. Korea beat Togo 2-1.
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It was hard not to get excited about the game.  Everyone was talking about it.  My students couldn't sit still yesterday.  And suddenly people were talking about  this unknown African country Togo.

After class I met up with Aviam, a recently befriended Vancoverian (is that a word?), who also works in Ilsan.  We felt bold enough to head into the heart of Korea's soccer pride--- to City Hall.

This area is famous for the long broad avenues with tall office buildings towering on all sides with large screens showing the latest advertisements of Korea's best technology.  When we got to street level these broad streets where shut down to most traffic and already the street party had begun.  There were so many people there that we literally couldn't move--- we were just caught into the sea of  people around us.  People were screaming, shouting and all smiling--- it was such a festive environment!

View of the crowd from below. There were an estimate of 100,000 people just at City Hall alone.
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One of the things that I was pleased to see was the diversity of people out--- all ages: young, old, families, students, businessmen, thugs, sporty looking folks, and ladies in mini shirts and nothing but a Korean flag as a top--- very sexy!  It was refreshing to see that everyone was out to support their team.

Aviam and I first jumped on top of the City Hall subway escalator awning.  It was the perfect place to view the game-- overlooking the main stage and 3 of the main big screens set up.  I guess some other 100 people thought was a good idea because soon enough we were not alone and in the final minutes to the start the awning was beginning to feel a little shaky.  Sure enough just as the game kicked off the police came to kick us off.  We held out for a little while playing dumb foreigner, but it was clear that they weren't going to let us stay, so we hopped back down into the sea.

After the game Aviam and I found many new friends!
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We finally found pretty decent spots which in the first half were uncomfortable but good.  It was a nail biting first half with Korea scoreless. The second half was very satisfying--- after a Togolese red card it was clear that Korea's offense could have much better shots--- and they did--- back to back goals in the second half.

It was breathtaking when the first GOAL went in--- the entire crowd jumped to their feet--- hugged, shouted, kissed and chanted "Dae-Han-Min-GuK" which the Korean way of saying "KOREA"!  Fireworks went off of the top of the buildings.  The noise was deafening......

After the game there was a pep-rally-like concert with dancing, singing and even MORE chanting!
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After the game we hung around for the impromtu concert, dancing and pep rally.  We met so many people that we danced, cheered and took pictures with.  It was great fun!

So, this was the first game next is France and then Switzerland--- who tied each other, which leaves Korea in 1st place for now.....

Madness to be continued......

LOVE and Red pride, Rose

Hey take a picture with us!
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Here is a link to see video of downtown during and after the game:

http://worldcup.hankooki.com/gallery/view_onair.php?gisa_code=00039275