Is Korea Laying Back?

The “Tae-Reung complex,” which is the dream of attaining an Olympic gold medal, shined as the new year’s sun rose. Shedding the image of a teenybopper for one of a matured young lady, Korea`s good-looking star of archery Yoon Mi-jin, 21, from Kyung-hee University made a mistake. The gold medalist of the summer Olympics accidentally commented about her boyfriend while she was urged to speak passionately about back-to-back championships. Yoon said, "Am I dating anybody? Time seems to be the problem though."

Young-looking and blushed, the generation-x star Lee Won-hee ,23, Korean Horse Affairs Association got in trouble during an interview while arguing that her red face wasn`t caused by pimples, but was actually the aftermath of drinking. The atmosphere froze and Lee said, "It was impossible to avoid a year-end holiday beer party. Believe me, I just drank one drop."

This is the year of the Athens Olympics. The seven Korean Olympic members enjoyed a fair time with laughs and giggles as they squeezed out some spare time from the training schedule.

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Yoon-Mi Jin surpassed her senior compatriots as a 17-year-old in high school and held the title in both the individual and group category for archery. Now she is a strong candidate for being champion in two consecutive years. If Yoon happens to win the title, it will be a new record for the summer Olympics and second after Jun-Lee Kyung of indoor track in the winter Olympics. Badminton’s king Kim-Dong moon, sponsored by Samsung Elecric, is an athlete willing to win two titles. Kim matched up with Na-Kyung min in the mixed doubles and notched 10 consecutive wins and a 50 winning streak in international competitions.

The match event gold medals are traditionally reserved by Korean athletes. There is Lee-Won Hee (73kg), a Judo fighter who brought dishonor in the 2000 Sydney Olympics with no gold medals. Since Yang-Jung mo in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Korea has been successful in winning gold medals in wrestling at each competition. Keep an eye on Kim-In sup in the 66kg, Lim-Dae won in 55kg and Moon Hee-jae in 84kg free-style. In Tae-Kwon Do, Korea continues to challenge any takers in the gold medal contention.

The Korea Amateur Sports Association (K.A.S.A) estimates that it will take 13 gold medals in nine events to set a new record. As long as success accords with the aim, it will be an easy road to step in tenth place. There are only 200 days left to go before the opening ceremony on August 13.

It`s about time to get back to work.

Hwan-Soo Zang zangpabo@donga.com