Korea: Serious Business
Koreans show their support for their national football team.
"You are in Korea. You must remember."
That was the threat I got from my third graders last week. How did I go from a peaceful light-hearted lunch conversation to threats on my well-being?Soccer. Oh wait, sorry, football.
As many people now know, FIFA has made their decision and the 2018 and 2022 World Cup events will be held in Russia and Qatar respectively. However, Korea (along with the United States) were both in the running for the 2022 hosting.
Naturally, this came up in discussion and one of my kids expressed his desire for Korea to be honored with hosting the 2022 tournament. He looked to me for my opinion, suggesting I should also root for Korea to be the host. I took the opportunity to polarize the group and be patriotic.
"Korea? No, USA!"
The table instantly jeered and pulled together. There were apparently, appalled I could want my own country to host the World Cup. Then calmly and strongly the student closest to me said those words:
"You are in Korea. You must remember."
Is my opinion, not my own? Will I survive this journey a proud first generation American? One thing is certain, I will never forget where I am lest I find myself face down in a rural alley leaking blood having been pummeled by vengeful middle school kids.