World Cup Syndrome

World Cup syndrome is found across the country heading the opening of World Cup Games.

World Cup related products and World Cup rooter’s song are gaining popularity, and creative catchwords applied with the supporter’s song are appearing.

Most popular product is `Be the Reds, ` T-shirt symbolizing `Red Devils`. 300,000 pieces have been sold so far including free distribution for propaganda.

Kim Dae-Shik division chief in the E discount shop in Junggu, Seoul, said, “we sold 1,500 pieces before the game with England, but after the equal match with England, daily sales average at 4,000 to 5,000 pieces. ”

Miniature of Guus Hiddink, head coach of Korea national team, and the players sells like hotcakes. Cheong Chang-Won deputy manager of the company V in Songpa-gu, Seoul, which produces dolls from last year, said, “around 300,000 pieces of dolls, which had been stored in warehouses due to the poor showing of Korea national team, were sold out recently. We are selling new style of dolls from April. ”

Books related with World Cup sells really well.

An official of Kyobo Bookstore in Sejong-ro Jongro-gu, Seoul, said, “around 20 new books related with World Cup including `History of Soccer War, ` and `Eternal Libero` (autobiography of Hong Myong-Bo) have been published. The section for World Cup is always crowded with people, and the sale also increased 20 to 30 percent. ”

Due to the popularity of rooter’s song for World Cup, teachers in elementary schools are teaching students the song and motions, and students are making new catchwords implying the slogan of World Cup Games.

Mrs. Lee from M elementary school in Busan said, “I taught children rhythmic gymnastics to the rooter’s song last week, and students like it very much, and sing the song whenever they get bored. ”

Teachers from B elementary school in Seoul instructs children crying out ` keep order clap clap clap clap clap` copying the rooter’s catchword of Red Devils `Dae Han min kuk clap clap clap clap clap`. Then, students are playing a joke shouting `Change my partner clap clap clap clap clap`.

Korea national team player Ahn Jung-Hwan, who made a kiss on wedding ring after scoring a goal in the friendly game with Scotland, is winning popularity.

More husbands came to wear wedding ring stored in a drawer, and the syndrome of `man of blossom beauty` is creating new products for man’s care including cosmetics, clothes, shoes, skin care, and even plastic operation.

An official of L department store in Busan said, “sales of functional cosmetics for men like eye cream preventing fine wrinkles, cleanser, and pores care, and accessories like necklace, ear rings, and wristlets are increasing 35 to 45 percent from last year. ”

In addition, lots of shop owners buy large TV sets in order to show customers the soccer game, and cake shaped like a soccer ball sells quite well.

Jin-Kyun Kil Hyo-Lim Son leon@donga.com aryssong@donga.com