Korea Times on the conflict between the Red Devils (South Korean soccer supporters) and the companies that have attempted to cash in on enthusiasm for the national team here.
It’s difficult to grasp it all as an outsider, but some of my adult students were quick to fill me in on just how political some of it has become. The Red Devils tend to be young and liberal, but that hasn’t kept some of them from cutting some deals with companies like Hyundai and SK who will be sponsoring some of the public venues where Koreans can watch their beloved national team play.
I also found out that the appropriate grub for Korean World Cup-watching is fried chicken and beer. And if this is the case, then all is right in the world. But actually I’m planning to head downtown to a shopping avenue where a big-screen TV will be set up. Need to buy a red T-shirt, quick.
