Starcraft: The Korean National Pastime

In Korea, there are two, yes two, television channels dedicated to Starcraft. They show starcraft matches 24 hours a day. 

Last night, I fell asleep with my television on CNN, (Yes, I actually watch the news) and woke up with my television on the Starcraft channel at 4am! Either my television is possessed; I accidentally hit a button on my remote in my sleep; or my subconscious has officially Koreanized itself. 

The sad thing is, it is now 4:43 am, and I have yet to change the channel. I'm a bit intrigued. Next thing you know, I'll be a regular at the PC Bang, all jacked up on ramen noodles and canned coffee.

Professional Starcraft gamers in South Korea have even gained television contracts. Lim Yo-Hwan is the most popular player, from what little research I've gathered, with something like a million fans, including screaming girls who want to date him. (Don't see that very often back home, now do we?)

And get this! Out of  the 10 million copies of the game sold, over half were sold in Korea! When Starcraft 2 comes out this year, I'll have to give up all hope on my students doing any homework...OK. I now officially know WAY too much about Starcraft. And why have I STILL not changed the channel??? I need an intervention. Someone get me to a Shinsagae, immediately!