About 20,000 gather at Gwanghwamun ahead of final group-stage match against South Africa; fans also rally in Yeouido and Myeong-dong
"Dae-han-min-guk!"
Seoul's city center was awash in red from early Thursday morning as fans poured into the streets ahead of South Korea's decisive final group-stage match against South Africa — a game that will determine whether the team advances to the World Cup round of 32.
Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, the city's traditional hub for public viewing events, grew louder and more packed as kickoff approached. By around 9:30 a.m., an estimated 20,000 people had filled the plaza, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Football Association.
As early as 7:30 a.m., more than 100 fans had already staked out spots at the square. With overcast skies and cooler temperatures than during the previous two public screenings, many wore thin jackets or windbreakers over their red "Red Devils" T-shirts. The crowd swelled rapidly as kickoff drew near.
At 8:30 a.m., venue staff and an announcer declared the standing section — Zone A — sold out. Fans who could not find a spot moved to the lawn behind the statue of King Sejong (Zones B and C) and the steps of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. By around 9 a.m., even those areas were nearly full.
Fans agreed it was the biggest crowd of the tournament so far. Lee Seong-hun, 41, an office worker attending his third public viewing at Gwanghwamun this World Cup, said the energy was unlike anything he had seen at the earlier matches. "I've been here since the first game, and today feels like the most people yet," he said. "Because a spot in the round of 32 is on the line, the atmosphere is so much more intense. I really hope we win today and show the world what we're made of."
Colleagues Choi Ye-rin, 27, and Han Ji-su, 26, said they had originally planned to catch just a few minutes during their lunch break but ended up taking the whole day off to soak in the atmosphere. "We had no idea the standing section would sell out this fast," Choi said. "It's the last group-stage match and a must-win, so I think that's why so many more people showed up."
Foreign fans were also out in force. Stephanie, 19, Daniel, 20, and Paula, 24 — exchange students from Mexico at Sungkyunkwan University — said they had watched the Mexico-South Korea match in Mexico the previous week before coming to Seoul. "Korean fan culture is just as passionate," Stephanie said. "We think Korea will win 3-0. We hope both countries get a good result."
Oh Ji-han, 44, who came from Canada with his eight-year-old son Jake, said Korean fans' passion surpassed even what he sees at home, despite Canada being the host nation. "Today is such an important match — I really hope Korea wins," he said.
Fans rally at Shinsegae Square, Yeouido in show of unity
Tension also ran high at Shinsegae Square in front of the Shinsegae department store's main branch in Jung-gu. Between 8 and 9 a.m., police and safety personnel made rounds through the viewing zones to conduct security checks.
Around 9 a.m., small groups of fans gathered in front of the Seoul Central Post Office, watching a large outdoor screen and waiting for kickoff. Some posed for photos with the screen as a backdrop. By close to 10 a.m., about 50 people had assembled at the site.
Kim Yeong-su, 40, wearing the No. 6 jersey of midfielder Hwang In-beom, said it was his first time joining a public viewing. "I had the day off, so I came out to cheer," he said. "Watching together outside like this is so much more fun. I think Korea will win 2-1."
Kang Geum-im, 57, who came from Pangyo after hearing about the street cheering event while working nearby, said she hoped forward Son Heung-min would have reason to smile throughout this World Cup. "I'm expecting a 3-0 win," she said.
Jo Jun-ho, 28, made the more-than-one-hour trip from Suwon to watch on a big screen. "I've cheered at Gwanghwamun, Yeouido and COEX before, but this is my first time here," he said. "I want to see the goals fly in more freely than last time."
In Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, most of the main seats in front of Korea Investment & Securities' headquarters were already taken more than an hour before kickoff. Fans in matching national team jerseys snacked on churros and coffee as they waited. Office workers still in their work clothes and ties mingled with families who had come out together.
When the players' entrance appeared on the screen at around 9:10 a.m., the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. From 30 minutes before kickoff, fans chanted "Oh! Daehanminguk" in unison, building the energy. Many held up their phones to take photos or waved the Taegukgi as they cheered.
Park Seong-hyeon, 38, an office worker who took a half-day off to attend with colleagues, said watching with a crowd felt more meaningful than following the match at the office. "I feel like the energy from all of us here will reach the players," he said. "Today of all days, I really hope we lock up that spot in the round of 32."
Jung Min-seong, 42, who came dressed in matching jerseys with his elementary school-age children, said he had hesitated because it was a weekday but wanted his kids to experience the atmosphere. "With a round-of-32 berth at stake, it feels like the whole country is cheering together as one," he said.
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