The demilitarized zone is less than 20 miles from the stadium. There have been consistent small manifestations by people who see South Korea’s invitation to North Korea as appeasement to a country that was firing missiles just a few months ago. While inside the 35,000-seat stadium the celebration was about passion and harmony, outside, protesters gathered.
Pence also met with and praised North Korean defectors on Friday. Pence had earlier met with the father of Otto Warmbier, the American student who was jailed in North Korea last year and died upon returning home. When they entered early in the proceedings (the roster is in alphabetic order, according to the Korean alphabet), it was to the strains of Psy’s ubiquitous 2012 K-pop tune “Gangnam Style.” Vice President Mike Pence and his wife cheered on Team USA - massive at 244 athletes. This also means that Psy embraces all aspects of his heritage and culture - and yes, that includes excessive drinking.Eurosport & Global Broadcasters Kick Off 'Transformative' 2018 Winter Olympics REX/ShutterstockĪlso in the Olympic stadium, U.S. Throughout his career he has been rather outspoken about his patriotism and undying love for his motherland. Citing a 2012 World Health Organization report which found that South Korea had the second-highest rate of alcohol consumption at the time, they wrote, "Why would a man whose fame and success depend on his likable personality admit to the world that he is a raging alcoholic? Simple.
However, it's important to note that a writer for Kpop Starz revealed the singer-rapper's perceived drinking "problem" may be a matter of "cultural misunderstanding" in the West. The interview also exposed his constant smoking habit, something that's thought to ruin a singer's voice.Īt the time of this writing, it's unclear if Psy ever sought professional help for his habits. "If it's raining, I'm drinking, if it's sunny, I'm drinking." He claimed the only time he's not attached to booze is "when hungover." His beverages of choice include whiskey, vodka, and tequila. "If I'm happy, I'm drinking, if I'm sad, I'm drinking," Psy explained.