The Dream Is Over

Korea lost to Germany, 0:1. Which means they’ll play in Saturday’s 3/4 match. Which isn’t really a bad finish for a country that was at 150:1 odds to finish in the top four. After the game, the fans, completely bedecked in red (yes, even I donned a “Be The Reds!” t-shirt, though it makes little grammatical sense), still shouted “Dae – Han – Min – Guk!” though with less vigor, less enthusiasm, a veil of sadness over their faces. I was watching the game in a public place (outside, on a big screen tv), as usual, the only foreigner. The lady beside me turned to me as the referee blew the final whistle and said, “I think our country will be depressed tonight. Or longer. I don’t know.”