China might have won the gold medal in the table tennis mixed doubles finals against North Korea at Paris 2024 on Tuesday (July 30). But the real MVP of the match has to be South Korea who scored the bronze.
After receiving their medals, South Korean paddler Lim Jong-hoon did the unexpected.
He organised a selfie with the other medallists.
The simple act drew massive applause from the crowd who witnessed the special moment.
Considering China and both Koreas are not on the best of terms diplomatically, many saw Jong-hoon’s initiation of the selfie as historic.
Positioning himself in front of the other five, he tried to get everyone into the frame, with his teammate Shin Yunbin, China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha excitedly getting ready for the shot.
North Korea’s Ri Jongsik and Kim Kum Yong, on the other hand, seem more measured as they stood in the middle.
Before receiving their medals, spectators also saw Jongsik and Kum Yong shaking Jong-hoon’s and Yunbin’s hands before receiving their own silver medals.
At this point, the Olympics seems to be achieving what politics and international relations can only dream of.
Netizens quickly shared that moment to social media.
“Can’t ask for world peace, at least let me see this selfie,” wrote a netizen.
“The selfie will need to be displayed in museums!” said another netizen.
Of course, Jong-hoon was hailed as a hero with some saying that he could be the perfect candidate for the next round of peace talks between the two Koreas.