Most Unbelievable Korean News of the First Half of 2018
With the summer coming quickly to an end, Korean media took a look at some of the most shocking news to happen within the Korean peninsula during the first 6 months of 2018.
1. The First Inter-Korean Summit in 11 Years
South Korean president Moon Jae In and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un met at the border and engaged in several symbolic peace offerings.
Most significantly they signed the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula, subsequently ending the war that has been wagin in Korea for over 65 years.
2. South Korea’s Silver Medal in Women’s Curling at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics
The fairytale story of the Garlic Girls captivated not only South Korea, but the international community as well.
With their silver-medal run, first South Korean curling medal, and hilarious catchphrases — Team Kim went from bottom-seeded to the nation’s newest sporting sensation.
The many faces of Kim Eun-jung aka 'Annie,' the leader of S Korea's women's curling team, 'Garlic Girls' pic.twitter.com/oQVP2K1PJn
— Joseph Kim (@josungkim) February 20, 2018
The True Story Of How 5 Girls From A Small Korean Town Became The 2018 Olympics’ Biggest Sensation
3. South Korea Beats Germany at the 2018 World Cup
The internet pretty much exploded when South Korea knocked defending champion Germany out of the World Cup tournament.
Team Mexico’s fans were particularly hilarious as South Korea’s win over Germany meant that Mexico was saved from elimination.
The Mexicans found a South Korean outside the stadium 😂 pic.twitter.com/9gG7V9wtOd
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) June 27, 2018
Many fans and radio stations started blasting K-Pop to share their happiness.
Mexico radio channel is straight up playing Kpop in honor of el paro que nos hicieron 😅 pic.twitter.com/QabTOOv5Y5
— Daniel (@crzld_) June 27, 2018
Mexicans Thank South Korea For Saving Their Team In the World Cup By Streaming BTS
4. Forever-Last-Place Hanhwa Eagles Baseball Team Rises to 2nd Place
In the last ten years, the Hanhwa Eagles have finished dead last five times and have never finished higher than 5th in the league.
This season they rose all the way to 2nd place and are currently in 3rd place — but only two points away from overtaking Team SK who is now in 2nd place!
5. BTS Hits #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart
BTS achieved what no other Asian artist has done before, taking the top spot on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with their album LOVE YOURSELF 轉 ‘Tear’.
Not only was BTS the first K-Pop group to reach #1 on the Billboard 200, but they are also first foreign language artist since Il Divo hit #1 in 2006.
6. Raising of Minimum Wage…2 years in a row!
Last year, the decision to raise the minimum hourly wage to ₩7,530 KRW (~$6.74 USD) was made. This year it has been confirmed that it will be raised again to ₩8,350 KRW (~$7.64 USD next year.
This new change puts South Korea at 3rd highest minimum wage out of OCED countries, in case you’re thinking of getting a work visa for Korea!
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