The South Korean women’s curling team faces a crucial showdown against Japan tonight in the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, with a spot in the semi-finals on the line.
The Korean team, consisting of skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun, and fifth Seol Ye-ji, currently holds a 2-2 record in the round robin stage. They will face Japan at 10:05 PM Korea time on February 15th at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
After a 4-8 loss to the United States in their opening match, the team rebounded with victories over Italy (7-2) and Great Britain (9-3) before falling to Denmark 3-6 on February 14th. The top four teams from the 10-team round robin will advance to the semi-finals.
This match against Japan (1-3) is a pivotal one as both teams vie for a place in the final four. Korea has had recent success against their rivals, defeating Japan 6-4 at the 2023 Asian Winter Games in Harbin and 10-8 in an extra-end victory at the 2023 World Women’s Curling Championship qualifiers in Uijeongbu.
The Korean women’s curling team is aiming for a medal after winning silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. They are looking to replicate that success and return to the podium after eight years.
Elsewhere at the games, 2008-born Yu Seung-eun, who won a bronze medal in women’s big air snowboarding on February 10th, will compete in the slopestyle qualifying round at Livigno Snow Park at 10:15 PM.
The team is also notable for the romantic connection between players Seol Ye-eun and her boyfriend, Bobby Lamy, a curler who has been in a relationship with her for three years.
