As I was taking an afternoon walk with Yena at Yeouido Park on the Thursday before Korea's first match against Greece, we were ambushed by KBS reporters. They asked us for our opinion on Kim Heung Kuk's decision to shave his trademark moustache (which has made Kim HK who he is) if Korea makes it to the Top 16 for the World Cup. I had no idea who he was but judging by the 'AS-IS' and 'TO-BE' images, I could only honestly comment that he looks younger sans facial hair.
Korea did make it to the Top 16 and hence the younger look
World Cup hold a special meaning for me. It was 4 years ago where Xin and I had an extraordinary time in Europe while World Cup was on. We saw snippets of the finals atop a hill in Oslo.
This year, I caught the amazing opening match for Korea with Christy, her husband, my friend KW, along with a few hundred Koreans in a theatre. The atmosphere was electric when both Lee Jungsoo and Park Jisung scored. No one was on their seats when the adidas ball went decisively into Greece's net. The crowd left the theatre in truly high spirits.
Last night, I watched a different ending, but it was a performance that epitomised what I already knew Koreans to be - hardworking, passionate, and unwilling to compromise on anything less than the best. Right till to the second when the whistle blew.
Even my dad (who I believe hold the Singapore record for watching the most soccer matches) admitted it was a pity not to see more of the fantastic Reds and their brand of esprit de corps.
But Koreans, as I also know, are not known to give up without another fight. Korea 2014! Fighting!
