They are the ones that lit the fire to the largest scale street cheering, also called the Red Devil Generation and Red Generation, this World Cup generation is made of young Koreans in their late teens and early 20s. They shout "Daehan Minguk" (Republic of Korea) and love the Korean flag; the "W Generation" has risen as the future leaders of our "post-World Cup" society.

The core of the W Generation is spontaneity; in pouring rain or scorching sun, they were there not because of artificial mobilization or restriction but because they wanted to. Shin In-cheol, president of the Red Devils says, "If not for spontaneity, the 110,000 Red Devils would not even exist." Professor of sociology at Seoul City College, Lee Byoung-hyuk says, "This relationship is horizontal based on individualism and is different from one based on vertical collaboration or authoritarian power. It shows that in the future, the integration principle of society will not be led by the authorities and that it must have its foundation in the free will of each citizen."

The confidence of the W Generation is shown in their "positive" acts. As seen in former movements; opposing the Yushin Renovation in the 70s, overthrowing dictatorship in the 80s, rejection movements of the 90s, and recent anti movements, the definitions of society were always negative. On the other hand, the W Generation puts its hopes on a more positive agenda such as "dreams come true." Sociology Professor Song Ho-geun of Seoul National University says that doesn't mean they passively take in what they don't want. "They put forth what they want and seek that unhindered and that is why they are future-oriented."

The W Generation has also rediscovered the Republic of Korea and the Taegeuggi, the Korean flag; they broke the generally accepted idea that they were "too self-centered and did not have an associative consciousness" and jumped out onto the plaza to hang out the nation's symbol by themselves; another fresh shock. Ahn Hae-yeon of Gyeongsang Girls’ High School says, "These days, I think about how I am Korean. My friends are the same." Professor Kim Ho-gi of Yonsei University says, “The W Generation was thought of only in terms of individualism but like their former industrialization and democratization generations, they showed us that they have passion."

The W Generation was able to materialize cosmopolitanism in everyday life, what former generations only dreamed of. During the games, the sight of young Koreans together with foreigners was a common scene. Kim Lan-hee of Sangji University, who was taking pictures with a Japanese national wearing blue 'ultra Nippon' T-shirts said, "I had some prejudices about Japan but now they're all gone." Before the match with the US, people were worried about anti-US reactions, however, the Red Devils’ Internet homepage stated "NO anti-US, YES cheer for Korea." The cheering manner for the games with Germany and Turkey moved the world.

The W Generation broke the taboos of our culture by wearing the Korean flag as a skirt and adapting the national anthem to a rock and roll version. Red fashion and flags shook off the "red complex" that haunted society and became re-evaluated as an embodiment of "democracy of taste." What began as red shirts went on to all sorts of transformations and adaptations so that at the end of the games, the street cheering was a close resemblance to a fashion show. The ambitious spirit and passion of the W Generation was contagious and spread to elder generations. Choi Hee-suk (48) who came to the Gwangju Stadium sporting a red shirt and face painting, said, "When I shout 'Daehan Minguk" with everyone else, I feel like I'm back in my twenties. Even when the World Cup is over, I want to continue life with the passion I have now."

The Student Revolution Generation, Anti-Normalization of Ties with Japan Generation, and 386 Generation (30 year olds born in 1986) were the result of politics. However, the W Generation only saw struggles over the shoulders of adults and were only slightly affected in their teens by the financial crisis. "This generation opened its eyes early to economic practicality instead of political ideas," say the 2020 Committee. They are also the legitimate children of the information and communication age. Their basic dress is a simple backpack and a cellular phone that can connect to the Internet. The games' main infrastructure was formed on the Internet and on large screens, flooding the streets all over the country in red. In age, they are mostly in their 20s including some in their late teens. According to the population census in 2000, there are 7,940,000 people in their 20s. That is 18.5% of the entire population, second to the 30s generation which is 19.6% (8,280,000).

There are some that say it is hasty to conclude the appearance of a new generation. They say that it was only a temporary outlet in which young people could let go of their oppressed passion. Some discussed "emotional ultra nationalism," speaking of raving at the "Ono ceremony." They pointed out that the regional elections that took place during the World Cup had the lowest turnout and showed a "far from mature democratic culture." Professor Kim Jeong-woon of Myeongji University criticizes, “The W Generation will go back to being individuals with no lingering attachments when the fun is over. What they need is to actively make a goal in something other than soccer and foster the virtues of a community." Professor Cho Dae-yeop of Korea University said, "In order for the W Generation to settle as leaders of society, they must cultivate their sense of responsibility through various social activities such as volunteer work."

(Jeon Byoung-keun, bkjeon@chosun.com )