"Coréano hermano, ya eres mexicano!" A slogan of friendship echoing again after eight years [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

*[K-EYES] is a segment introducing the global perspective on K-content, K-culture, and K-everything.

With the Korea-Mexico group stage match of the 2026 North American World Cup just one day away, local Mexican media highlighted the special friendship between fans of both nations.

Mexican outlets such as Infobae and El Record reported that the slogan "Coréano hermano, ya eres mexicano! (Coréano, brother, you are now Mexican!)" is once again echoing through the streets of Guadalajara during this World Cup. Although the two nations will become fierce rivals inside the stadium tomorrow (19th), the friendship between fans of both countries is already flourishing on the streets of Guadalajara.

This slogan originated during the 2018 Russia World Cup. Even after South Korea had already been eliminated from the Round of 16, they defeated Germany 2-0, helping Mexico advance to the Round of 16. Touched by this gesture, Mexican fans spontaneously gathered in front of the South Korean Embassy in Mexico City to hold a gratitude parade. It was at this time that the slogan was born.

In this tournament as well, exchanges between fans of both nations continue to generate daily headlines. On June 18, the day of the Korea-Mexico match, an unusual performance is scheduled outside the stadium where fans from both countries will dance the "horse dance" together to Psy's "Gangnam Style," drawing widespread attention.

A video went viral showing Korean fans spontaneously starting the horse dance when "Gangnam Style" began playing while they were eating at a Guadalajara taqueria (taco shop), with Mexican customers joining in, creating an impromptu cross-border party.

Another scene that became a topic of discussion showed Mexican audiences enthusiastically responding as Korean fans danced to "Gangnam Style" at a traditional Mexican lucha libre wrestling arena. Scenes of Mexican women approaching Korean fans while chanting "BTS, BTS!" and Korean fans exploring the alleys of Guadalajara while enjoying tortas ahogadas (a traditional Guadalajara dish), birria, and tequila also went viral on social media.

Infobae predicted, "Since the opening of the World Cup, the largest Korean fan delegation in history has arrived in Guadalajara. This match will see the largest gathering of Korean fans ever held on Mexican soil."

There was also an incident where a video of Korean YouTuber Ino-nyang (Yoon Soo-jin) receiving a racial gesture of "eye-slitting" from a Mexican man at the stadium went viral, sparking outrage. However, Mexican fans immediately responded with statements such as "That person does not represent Mexico" and "We sincerely apologize." The individual involved resigned from his position as head of the association to which he belonged and issued a public apology. FIFA officially invited Ino-nyang to the Korea-Mexico match, and Ino-nyang responded by saying, "I felt that there are far more good people in the world," preventing the incident from escalating into a serious conflict between the two nations.

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*This content was translated by AI.