What It's Like Watching the Olympics in Another Country

I live in Korea now.  You know that.  Because you read this blog.  And now it's the Olympics!  You also know that.  Because you are a normal person who is in touch with reality.  But you might not know what it's like to watch the Olympics if you don't live in America.  That's where I come in.

Before I start this, I should tell you that I LOVE the Olympics.  I believe that during the Olympics all workplaces should suspend work and just force their employees to watch the Olympics 24/7.  I realize that's illogical but I can dream.  In fact, my biggest complaint about the Olympics in America is that there isn't enough coverage.  I want to know about the obscure athletes who never get any recognition!  I want to learn everything there is to know about the biathlon and rhythmic gymnastics!  NBC, step it up a bit.

I was so excited for the Olympics to start in Korea because I was 100% ready to become Team Korea's #1 fan.  Are they selling gear?  I will wear it every day.  Are there celebrities I should be following?  I'll learn everything ever about their life.  But it turns out I didn't have to.  Because Korea just isn't that into the Olympics.

Korea does have athletes in the Olympics, but the general public does not seem to be as obsessed with it as Americans are.  The Olympics is on every day but the coverage is pretty....bland.  Maybe it's because I can't understand most of it but the commentators just don't seem all that amped.  And there isn't a ton of that backstory stuff that NBC does back home.  There is some though.  That's how I learned that Yuna Kim has been a celebrity since she was a kid.

So what do they show in Korea?  Lots of short track speed skating.  Lots of it.  And Yuna Kim.  She is Korea's darling.  Everyone loves her and she is a HUGE celebrity.  She endorses everything you can think of (I just saw her face on coffee today) and I would love to see her win gold again.  Mostly to see how excited Koreans would be about it.  Any time Korea gets to shine on an international stage my students always seem so proud.  I think because their country is so small, they really treasure those moments.  It's adorable.

Gold again please!

So for now, I just miss the coverage back home.  I read as many articles as I can about the Olympics, I watch it as often as possible, but it isn't the same.  I don't feel like I'm in the middle of it like I usually do.  But maybe in another way that's a good thing.  Because then I'm not as emotionally invested either.

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