Red-clad supporters chant slogans to support the South Korean football team at Hangang Park in Banpo, southern Seoul, where SK Telecom sponsored a “Once Again Korea” supporting event, Wednesday. A similar cheering event will take place on Saturday. / Courtesy of SK Telecom |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff reporter
For the last eight years Seoul Plaza in central Seoul reigned as the Mecca of World Cup street cheering here. However, the focus is shifting to the banks of the Han River.
Yeouido, the small island in the western part of the river, and Banpo, southern Seoul, are hailed as the new venue for the army of supporters, the "Red Devils."
According to the Seoul city government, the number of people who gathered around Hangang Park near Banpo Bridge and Yeouido riverside for the Korea-Argentina match last Thursday marked 100,000 each, outnumbering the 90,000 at Seoul Plaza and 80,000 at Bongeun Temple in southern Seoul.
The number is expected to increase for the crucial knockout match with Uruguay. SK Telecom plans to sponsor street cheering events at the Hangang Park near Banpo Bridge and Seoul Plaza.
The city administration assumed that the hot weather and large as well as clean facilities have attracted more people to the river bank, where there is more of a breeze, and water rather than traffic, congested air and dominant buildings as the surroundings.
The local government has recently finished landscaping the banks at Yeoeuido, which is designated as a special financial district.
The 38,000 square-meter grassy area with a cool wind, lighting and the newest attraction, a floating stage, brings a new experience, Baek Ho, spokesman of City Hall, said.
Lee Jong-seung, president of the Hankook Ilbo, which held a group cheering event with Miss Korea pageant contestants, said, "People are giving more credit to the Han River waterfront." The company is sponsoring another event Saturday night with entertainers and Miss Korea pageant winners.
In Banpo, with Banpo Bridge, the most beautiful bridge on the Han River, people are rushing to see the newly launched artificial island, the "Floating Island" alongside concerts and various events to rev up the fans.
"The best part about Banpo is its on three subway lines- three, seven and nine. It also provides both an urban fantasy of all the skyscrapers lined up alongside the river and the laid-back romance of the breeze, water and the grass," said college student Choi Ji-yeon, who is planning to head there for Saturday's game.
"It seems that the venues for street cheering are diversifying where more and more people are sick and tired of standing up in the crammed and hot asphalt road, and riversides are rapidly replacing them," Seoul official Baek said.
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