'"Thought They Were K-pop Stars"... Japanese Media Go Wild Over Beauty of Korean Curling Team'

Victory over Japan puts team in tie for 4th... semifinal hopes turn green
"Outstanding in both skill and beauty"... Japanese media coverage pours in

At the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, the South Korean women's curling team kept their hopes for the semifinals alive by winning the match against Japan, and they are drawing attention not only for their world No. 3-level skills but also for their outstanding looks.

Yonhap News Agency

On the 15th (local time), the women's curling national team (Skip Kim Eunji, Third Kim Minji, Second Kim Suji, Lead Seol Yeeun, Fifth Seol Yeji) defeated Japan 7-5 in their fifth round-robin game of the tournament at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. With the win, the team improved to 3 wins and 2 losses, moved into a tie for fourth place, and maintained their chances of advancing to the semifinals.

Japanese media outlets described the South Korean team, which won the rivalry match, as players who possess not only strong skills but also exceptional beauty.

Daily Sports ran an article under the headline, "Curling South Korea's Beautiful Squad, SNS Reactions: 'They are all pretty' 'What cosmetics do they use?' Beats Japan, Rises to 4th Place." It introduced social media reactions to veterans such as Kim Eunji, who has experience competing at the Sochi Olympics, and Kim Minji, including comments like, "They are all beauties," "Their skin is beautiful," "What Korean cosmetics do they use?" and "It's hard to believe that the oldest member, Kim Eunji, is 36 years old."

Nikkan Sports also reported that for the "beautiful squad aiming for South Korea's first Olympic curling gold medal, reactions on X (formerly Twitter) included comments such as, 'The Korean captain's smiling lips are cute,' and 'Isn't the visual of the South Korean women's curling team way too strong? Japan certainly didn't fall short either, though.' Sports Nippon introduced Kim Minji by writing, "Competing in her first Olympics, Kim Minji boasts solid skills and a slender appearance, and she is hugely popular even back home as an idol of the South Korean curling scene."

The Digest wrote, "Among fans who watched the live broadcast, not only the players' skills but also their beauty and figures became a hot topic," citing social media reactions such as, "'Kim Suji is the best,'" "'She's pretty and strong; it's unbelievable,'" and "'They look like a K-pop group.'" It added, "The style of all five players tying their black hair back is also distinctive," and also noted, "Seol Yeeun is dating Bobby Lammie of the British men's curling team."

This South Korean women's curling national team is composed entirely of players affiliated with the Gyeonggido Provincial Government team.

Skip Kim Eunji has multiple titles on the domestic mixed doubles and women's curling circuits. By placing at events such as the national team trials and the Korea Curling Federation President's Cup, she has established herself as a central pillar of the national team.

On the 15th (local time) at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Curling Olympic Stadium in Italy, during the women's round-robin curling match between South Korea and Japan at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, the South Korean team celebrated after winning 7-5. Yonhap News Agency

Third Kim Minji, also from the Gyeonggido Provincial Government team, has produced stable results at domestic championships and national team trials where the Taegeuk emblem is at stake. She has also proven her competitiveness by earning podium finishes at international curling tour events.

Second Kim Suji, likewise representing the Gyeonggido Provincial Government team, has consistently finished in medal positions at the National Winter Sports Festival and domestic ranking point tournaments. Since joining the national team, she has continued to gain experience by competing in international events.

Lead Seol Yeeun, a member of the Gyeonggido Provincial Government team, has experienced both championship and runner-up finishes at major domestic tournaments with her team. She advanced to the international stage through the national team selection trials.

Fifth Seol Yeji, also with the Gyeonggido Provincial Government team, has a record of podium finishes at domestic championships and various federation-hosted competitions. She has been included in international tournament rosters and has been building up her experience.