"You're pretty, but you're good at it." Despite the defeat in the Korea-Japan match, I compliment the team Korea-Japan match every day. [Milan Olympics]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean curling women's national team, which combines skills and beauty, is also highly praised in Japan.

Japanese media Digest highlighted on the 16th (Korea Standard Time) that "the visuals of the Korean women's curling team that beat Japan are a hot topic."

Earlier, the South Korean women's curling team, led by Kim Eun-ji (36), beat Japan 7-5 in the fifth round robin match at the 2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Italy.

With three wins and two losses, South Korea raised its hopes of advancing to the semifinals. After 10 teams play full league round robin, only the top four teams will reach the tournament. South Korea had a 2-2 record before Korea-Japan match, losing 7-2 to Italy, 9-3 to England and 2-6 to Denmark after an opening 4-8 defeat against the United States.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government team, called "Team 5G," participated in this competition. They are called "Team 5G" because they include Kim Eun-ji, Kim Min-ji, Kim Soo-ji, and Seol Ye-ji, who have "ji" at the end of their names and Seol Ye-eun, who is affectionately called "pig."

The 8th end was crucial. South Korea opted for a strategic blank operation to catch the eighth and 10th-end backers with a 3-3 tie at the seventh end. At the 8th end, Kim Min-ji won the game by hitting all of Japan's 2nd and 4th stones, which were blocking the 1st stone. Japan also took the guard again, but Kim Min-ji posted stones at No. 1 to No. 3 with promotional takeaways. Japan's Stone, located in the center, also scored three points when Kim Eun-ji exquisitely cleared it, effectively deciding the match.

Japan also seems to admit the game cleanly. Digest said, "Japan was persistent until the end, catching up twice, but gave up three points at the eighth end. With this, Japan's chances of advancing to the semifinals have become slim with one win and four losses," he said.

"The Korean national team won against Japan with a confident team play. Among the fans who watched the live broadcast, not only their skills but also their beautiful appearance and style became a hot topic," he added.

According to Digest, Japanese social media and communities reacted explosively, such as "It's a corps of beauties," "The visuals are too powerful," "Everyone's skin is smooth," "I can't beat it because they're pretty and have good skills," and "It's like a K-pop girl group."

Digest, who delivered fans' reactions, said, "Korea rebounded with three wins and two losses. It is unique that all five of them have black hair tied back. For reference, Seol Ye-eun showed a lot of interest, saying, "I'm dating Bobby Lammy, the British men's curling national team."

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*This content was translated by AI.