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More Than Football: BTS, Folk Music, and World Cup Magic

Michealina Mary Stampoulous by Michealina Mary Stampoulous
June 20, 2026
in Sport
A A
Mexican and South Korean football fans singing together outside a stadium, holding a banner that reads "Arirang" at the FIFA World Cup.
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The FIFA World Cup is always remembered for its legendary goals and iconic matches, but some of the most unforgettable, viral World Cup moments happen entirely away from the pitch. Ahead of the Group A clash between Mexico and South Korea, fans from both nations bypassed the usual sporting rivalry to come together in an incredible celebration of music, culture, and community.

But sometimes, the most memorable moments happen away from the pitch.

Ahead of the Group A clash between Mexico and South Korea, fans from both nations came together in a celebration of culture, music and community that perfectly captured the spirit of the World Cup.

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Videos shared on social media showed Mexican and Korean supporters singing together before kickoff, united not by football, but by music.

The song was “Arirang”, one of Korea’s most beloved traditional folk songs and a powerful symbol of Korean identity and heritage.

While “Arirang” has been cherished in Korea for generations, many international fans were introduced to the song through BTS. The global K-pop group recently sampled the folk melody in their song “Body to Body”, bringing renewed attention to a piece of Korean culture that many listeners outside Korea may never have encountered before.

That influence was evident ahead of the match, where supporters from different backgrounds sang along together, creating a moment that went far beyond football.

It was a reminder that the World Cup is about more than competition.

While players battle for points on the pitch, supporters create connections in the stands, fan zones and city streets. Football becomes a meeting point where cultures are shared, stories are exchanged and strangers become friends.

In a tournament already filled with dramatic goals, red cards and thrilling finishes, this simple moment between Mexican and Korean fans stood out for a different reason.

It highlighted the power of sport, music and culture to bring people together.

For a few moments before kickoff, there were no opposing sides.

There were simply people celebrating a shared experience, proving that sometimes the most memorable World Cup moments happen before the match even begins.


People Also read: The Quiet Lesson From Japanese Fans: Leaving It Better Than You Found It

Tags: ArirangBTSFootball CultureK-popSouth Korea vs Mexicoviral World Cup momentsWorld Cup
Michealina Mary Stampoulous

Michealina Mary Stampoulous

Michealina Mary Stampoulous Dankwa is a Ghanaian International Relations student in Russia. With a background in journalism, she is passionate about football, diplomacy, social justice, and youth empowerment, and aims to build a career in international affairs and global development.

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