Korean Curling Team Faces Sweden in Thrilling Mixed Doubles Opener at 2026 Winter Olympics

The South Korean curling team faced off against Sweden in a thrilling mixed doubles opener at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, setting the tone for the early stages of the qualifiers.

Broadcast live at 2:50 AM on JTBC, the match marked the beginning of the network's Winter Olympics coverage, drawing significant attention.

The broadcast team included commentator Seong Seung-heon and analysts Kim Eun-jung and Kim Young-mi. Seong's dynamic commentary captured the fast-paced action, while Kim Eun-jung and Kim Young-mi, known for their roles in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics 'Young-mi' phenomenon, provided strategic insights based on their playing experience, enhancing viewers' understanding of the game. Viewers praised the commentary as "reliable" and noted that "curling is more enjoyable to watch." The visual 'Strategy Note' graphics also received positive feedback for effectively illustrating the team's tactics.

This match was also notable for the reunion of 'Team Kim.' Kim Seon-young, who won a silver medal with the team at PyeongChang, competed in mixed doubles, while Kim Eun-jung and Kim Young-mi provided commentary. Their voices brought back memories of the PyeongChang Olympics for viewers.

The South Korean team, consisting of Kim Seon-young and Jeong Yeong-seok, engaged in a competitive match. Kim Seon-young, making her third consecutive Olympic appearance, showcased stable gameplay, while Jeong's calm shot selection and bold takeouts kept the early game close. Despite taking an early lead in the 1st end and regaining it in the 3rd, South Korea conceded points in the 4th and 5th ends, ultimately losing 3-10.

After the match, Jeong Yeong-seok commented, "We learned a lot from the opposing team and identified areas for improvement." Kim Seon-young added, "Despite it being our first game, I felt we adapted well to the ice. Today's experience will be invaluable for our next match."

The mixed doubles event features 10 countries competing in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals. With several matches remaining, South Korea aims to rebound in the upcoming games.

JTBC will broadcast South Korea's second qualifying match against host nation Italy at 5:50 PM. Italy, benefiting from home ice and crowd support, presents a challenging opponent, requiring South Korea to manage the game carefully. JTBC will also air the match against Switzerland at 2:50 AM on February 6. Switzerland, a consistent contender in mixed doubles, is considered a major hurdle in the early qualifiers. Managing stamina and focus will be crucial for South Korea's success in the remaining matches.

JTBC Sports Channel will continue to cover key events of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, starting with the men's snowboard big air qualifiers on February 6, followed by figure skating team events, alpine skiing, luge, and more.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr