Mexicans Instantly Turn Into K-Pop Fans After South Korea World Cup Win Versus Germany; Shot BTS Up The Latino Charts
It’s an interesting time to be a Mexican and a K-Pop fan at that. When South Korea booted Germany out of the World Cup on Wednesday and, consequently, saved Mexico from getting kicked out, as well, it seems the entire nation had suddenly become idol-crazy.
It is needless to say that the World Cup is life in Mexico, so seeing one of their biggest threats being removed from the game is a huge deal, to say the very least. South Korean boy group BTS immediately gained chart status, seeing their “Fake Love” song shoot up 31 points on the Mexico iTunes roster within just hours from the Germany boot. Now, it seems that the whole of Mexico is loving not just BTS but embracing the entirety of Korea-dom, as well.
BTS member Suga tweeted about his amazement:
In fact, Korean nationals have posted online saying they’ve been getting congratulatory pats and thumbs ups from random Mexicans in the street just by being Korean. Some Mexicans took things a step further by actually rallying and celebrating by carrying anybody who was Korean around like a hero.
Mexico lost its game against Sweden prior to the South Korea vs. Germany match. The K-Pop country’s victory means Mexicans get another chance to show how good they are at the finals. Online, even the face of Jo Hyeon-woo, the South Korean goalie, was photoshopped into a religious photo.
Even the South Korean consul general to Mexico was raised up by elated Mexican fans outside the embassy.
Just a few months ago, BTS figured in a major issue in Mexico after a local radio program said some not so nice things about the idol group. In the program "Farandula 40," host Horacio Villalobos poked fun at the group's clothing choices and sexuality during the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. The announcer eventually issued an apology on his Facebook page after receiving backlash online from fans.
Mexico faces Brazil for the Knockout Phase next on July 2, 2018. The FIFA website has yet to make official who South Korea will be playing against.