How South Korea's women's curling team rose from obscurity to Olympic glory
South Korea's women's teams have grown from a local hobby to an Olympic powerhouse in just three decades. The sport of curling first arrived in the country in 1994, when the Korean Curling Federation was formed. What began as a casual pastime soon turned into a national passion, fuelled by a group of young athletes from a small facility in Uiseong.
The first dedicated curling centre in Korea opened in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, in 2007. Five teenagers, including Kim Eun-jung, started training there and quickly dominated junior competitions as amateurs. Their early success set the stage for bigger challenges.
By 2014, the team—later nicknamed 'Team Kim'—competed in the Olympic trials for the Sochi Winter Games but fell short. Undeterred, they went on to win the 2017 Asia-Pacific Curling Championships and claimed silver at the Sapporo Asian Winter Games. Their breakthrough came at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where they topped the round-robin standings and won a historic silver medal.
The team's achievements triggered a curling boom across Korea. Fans packed arenas, and the Korea Curling League launched in 2019-20 to build on the momentum. Now, under the name '5G,' the squad is heading to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, aiming to prove the sport's lasting appeal. Their path to the semifinals this time included four round-robin victories before narrow defeats to Switzerland.
South Korea has sent a women's curling team to every Winter Olympics since their 2018 debut. After reaching the playoffs in Beijing 2022, they return in 2026 with higher expectations.
From a neighbourhood activity to Olympic contention, Korean curling has come a long way. The 2026 team carries the legacy of 'Team Kim,' whose silver medal once captivated the nation. Their performance in Milan-Cortina will determine whether the sport's popularity—and Korea's competitive edge—remains strong.
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