Traditional Korean wrestling ‘ssireum’ fights for survivalReuters, SEOULAs South Korea’s global cultural influence expands in areas such as music, film and television, one form of entertainment struggling to attract attention even at home is Korea’s traditional style of wrestling, known as ssireum. Lee Eun-soo, a ssireum wrestler, competes during a Lunar New Year ssireum championship at the Taean Complex Indoor Gymnasium in Taean, South Korea, on Saturday. “I once tried to imagine my life if I hadn’t done ssireum,” Lee said. Lee Hye-soo, 25, a spectator at the Lunar New Year tournament, said many Koreans are now unfamiliar with ssireum. “My grandfather liked watching ssireum, so I watched it with him a lot when I was young,” she said.

Source: Taipei Times February 17, 2026 18:45 UTC