South Korea dissatisfied with performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
South Korea has expressed disappointment over its performance at the recently concluded 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Despite winning a total of 42 golds, 59 silvers, and 89 bronzes, Team South Korea's third-place finish in the Gold Medal Count left much to be desired, particularly in sports such as football, martial arts, and track & field.
10 October 2023
According to reports, Lee Kik-hyun, president of the Korean Sports Promotion Institute, has announced plans to establish a working group for a thorough investigation into the disappointing results. This move signifies South Korea's deep dissatisfaction with their performance, as they had been anticipating a higher placing given their past success in these sports disciplines.
Reactions from Weibo netizens have been mixed, with some expressing empathy towards Team South Korea's frustration while others have made inflammatory remarks. Some users posted sarcastic comments, suggesting that perhaps the Korean athletes were too focused on eating kimchi or that their brains had been affected by it.
One Weibo user wrote, "Beyond the boundary of shame," mocking South Korea's result while another added, "Hahahahaha. Nothing's wrong, you are mentally ill; let it bother you." Yet another user joked about the number 13, saying, "With your own ability like this, what level do you have no more than 13 numbers in your heart."
However, not all netizens were critical of South Korea's performance. Some users expressed understanding and sympathy for their disappointment, suggesting that sometimes unexpected results happen even to the best teams. They reminded others that sport is about learning from failures and growing stronger in the face adversity.
These comments highlight a divide among Weibo netizens, with some choosing to make light of South Korea's performance while others offer words of encouragement and support. Despite the mixed reactions, it is clear that Team South Korea's third-place finish has sparked intense discussion and debate on Weibo and beyond.
In a seemingly unrelated tweet, one Weibo user shared an adorable video of cherry blossom petals gently falling onto China, suggesting that this natural beauty brought comfort to those who were disappointed by the Hangzhou Asian Games results. Another user posted a tweet showing the merging of small cherry blossoms into China, which was interpreted as a sign of unity and resilience in the face of hardship.
Overall, the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games has been an eventful one for Team South Korea, with their performance leading to both praise and criticism from netizens on Weibo. As they prepare to move forward from this competition, it remains to be seen how they will address their disappointment and make improvements in the sports that underperformed at the games.