K리그 사상 첫 무관중 개막…해외 축구팬들 '관심집중'<br /><br />South Korea's pro football season kicked off on Friday.<br />Stands were still empty due to COVID-19, but many people around the world were still able to enjoy the game as the opening match was broadcast live across the globe.<br />Our Jang Tae-hyun reports.<br />South Korea's professional football league officially kicked off Friday and grabbed the attention of fans from all around the globe.<br />It's the first country that played in the 2018 World Cup to start football games after the coronavirus shutdown.<br />The game was live-streamed worldwide on YouTube and Twitter, and almost 3-point-2 million people watched it on Twitter in just 15 hours.<br />The BBC also live-streamed the game and 36 countries have bought broadcast rights to the season, including Germany, Australia and Hong Kong.<br />"My family and friends watched the game. Even Portugal has called to buy the broadcast rights of K League. I think this became a great opportunity to introduce K League all over the world."<br />He added that other countries were curious how South Korea could proceed with the games amid the coronavirus pandemic... and that players felt an increased sense of responsibility.<br />"It was awkward to play in a place where there are no fans. But, I am thankful and happy to play and show how much I've prepared and trained for the game."<br />Hopefully, this will be a chance to let people know about Korea's football league and gather more fans from all over the world.<br />Jang Tae-hyun, Arirang News<br />
