Beach‑Gone Bummer: North Korean Cheer Squad Gets Swamped by Media Storm
The North Korean Olympic cheer squad – a 229‑member blast of “beauties” in red and white uniforms – had a beach outing that turned into a media circus. On Feb. 13, the group strolled quickly through the sun‑drenched coastline only to be swamped by hundreds of excited journalists. They had to hop back onto their bus, leaving the sand and surf behind.
Why All the Attention?
- They’re dubbed the “army of beauties” and have been a headline grabber since the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
- They’re handpicked from South Korea’s elite universities and pass rigorous background checks.
- Shining Spotlight: Ri Sol‑Ju, North Korea’s First Lady, once graced the squad’s ranks.
From Beach to House: A Quick Curtain‑Call
After their beach snub, the squad grabbed another crowd at Ojukheon House, one of the oldest traditional Korean houses. They performed a spontaneous routine that had both South Korean and international tourists cheering.
Real Voices, Real Feelings
“We couldn’t even see the beach,” one of the cheerleaders lamented as they regrouped on the bus.
12‑year‑old Hwang Ji Woo from Anyang spoke about her feelings:
- “When I first saw them on TV, I had a negative impression, but they’re actually gorgeous.”
- “It feels like North and South might finally reunite.”
Not everyone was as enthusiastic. Cho Hye‑Joon, a 23‑year‑old student from Seoul told a North Korean reporter about her thoughts on the growing rapprochement. Her response?
- “I had no comment. Saying anything wrong would be problematic.”
Bottom Line
While the cheer squad’s dazzling demeanour and the media frenzy were hard to ignore, the Sit‑Down effect of political tensions and a large North Korean delegation remained palpable. Between the sand, the scarves, songs and spontaneous cheers, the story keeps rolling – and hopefully, we’ll get some beaches back for the next round.
