Diary
In the center of the room, there was a long rectangle table that covered with snow white tablecloth. On that silver antic knives and forks were lying in such a graceful manner, and flawless crystal wine glasses were calmly waiting for the color that will make themselves more beautiful. I carefully sat on one of the luxurious chairs. Soon a tall and slim brown-haired waiter in black formal uniform came in with big round dish that had full of appetizing bread and fruits in it. I suddenly felt very hungry. Should I wait for someone or something else? Or is all of this for only me? The waiter was approaching anyway. 3 steps, 2 steps, 1 step, and now he was putting down the dish at the center of the table!
“WWAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
“What!”
I opened my eyes. It was still dark. The clock seemed pointing roughly 4’o clock.
“So, it was all dream.”
I murmured. And almost at the same time, I remembered that there was a World Cup game between Korea and Nigeria about this time. Then I closed my eyes again to sleep more, blaming World Cup for interrupting my sweet dream. (Well, I needed sleep because I had a match on that day)
World Cup is such a big event in Korea unlike other sports competitions. Most Korean people don’t miss Korean team’s matches even if they were never interested in soccer games before. Moreover, millions and millions of people gather on streets, at parks or inside pubs to cheer and chant together. What makes people so crazy about soccer games? Why is World cup so different from other soccer or sports games? Obviously it is not the only international competition. For instance, although Olympic Games are popular too, it never makes people as crazy as World Cup matches do. Thinking about it, my curiosity instinctively generated one simple question; will it be possible to have World Cup Baduk matches that are almost as popular as that of soccer matches someday?
Let me set a simple argument from analogy first. “Soccer and Baduk have two parties, strategies, and a winner and a loser at last. World Cup soccer games are very popular world wide. Therefore, Baduk World Cup can be popular too.” From this point, let’s discuss probability of presumably all baduk players’ dream.
To make this argument more plausible, we need to find some similarities that may support the conclusion. Soccer and Go both take some time to play one game, which means Go fans also may enjoy beer and pizza while watching it. Just like watching soccer players in extra time is more thrilling, Go match in countdown is more exciting. That is to say, at some points, Go watching may be also as exciting and stress relieving. (As long as you are not an extreme fan of a particular player, such as the lost player) Moreover, you may bet with your friends for the result or even score. In this case Go actually has an advantage because there is no referee to be biased.
Unfortunately, however, there are certain differences too. Soccer is a team play while Go is basically an individual sport. Soccer is easy to appreciate even if the audience have little background or knowledge on the game. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to enjoy watching a Go match if you don’t know how to play it. Also soccer is generally played in most countries whereas Go is still unknown by majority in many countries.
Then, let me ask you a question. Do you think it is possible for the Go world to have an event that as popular as World Cup if Go is promoted and taught world wide in the future? J
One thing you didn't mention is that soccer is a much more dynamic since the very beginning. While lightning baduk achieves the same to a certain degree, there are other important factors too. There are more people playing soccer than baduk, and this is unlikely to change in the future since soccer provides better means for socializing as it is a team game, rather than a 1v1 game. It is easier to feel emotionally attached to the game, the players, their struggle and fighting if you've been in their shoes. It also means there are more people who understand the game and more people that find it interesting.
Because of this, I don't think baduk will be as popular as soccer anytime soon. It's still a great game, though, and that should not discourage us from spreading it as much as we can. Personally, I have a more realistic dream - I'd be happy if it becomes as popular as chess is in "the west".
Moreover it's a visual game. If you see the ball behind the goalkeeper, it's a goal; if you see the ball most of the time in a side of the field, you know one team is attacking and the other defending. In baduk most of the time you can't guarantee the real meaning of the last move.
Anyway, I agree with the chess-baduk fight. It's more interesting. And actually in my club (which is a shared place for chess and baduk players) we are numerically winning lately!
