In Seoul, I remember seeing pictures of Korean footballer Ahn Jung-Hwan plastered all over. (Here is his official site and more info.)
World Cub souvenirs were everywhere, and I eventually bought an official soccer ball to bring back home. Getting caught up in the Ahn craze, I also bought a red t-shirt with his image on it. (I should dig that out.)
One afternoon I found myself sitting outside one of the World Cup stadiums, seeing before me a sea of red -- all the Koreans dressed in their "Be the Reds!" t-shirts in support of the Korean team, trying to catch a glimpse of a match on the large screen off in the distance.
I remember wearing my own "Be the Reds!" t-shirt and just sitting among the throng of fans, amazed at the frenzy but glad that I was in Korea experiencing this period of immense national pride -- and, probably most of all, thoroughly enjoying the fact that I was no longer a minority in a crowd of people.
I'm the one in red.
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