This past Saturday, the first Japan-Korea Junior Cup took place at the HADO Arena Odaiba in Tokyo, where middle and primary school students from South Korea and Japan competed in an intense day of matches. The tournament featured four teams from each country, beginning with a round-robin stage, followed by semifinals, a third-place match, and the final.

As the event’s initiator, South Korea assembled teams close to the U15 age limit,  while host Japan fielded several much younger players, some as young as elementary school age.

A One-Sided Outcome, but Close Matches

While the results favored South Korea, with Japan managing only two wins during the round-robin stage, the matches themselves were far from easy for the Korean teams. The Japanese players demonstrated remarkable individual skill, game awareness, teamwork, and tactical execution. Several games began with Japan’s strong opening attacks, catching the Korean teams off guard. However, as the matches progressed, Korea’s superior physical endurance and years of experience allowed them to take control and secure victories.

South Korea’s Rapid Rise in the HADO Scene

South Korea’s presence in HADO competitions has been steadily growing. The country’s debut at the HADO World Cup in October 2023 saw the Korean and Chinese teams face off in the third-place match, with China narrowly defeating Korea in an overtime decider. By August 2024, during the opening ceremony of the flagship HADO Arena in Shanghai, the Korean contingent had expanded to over 20 members.

For the recent Tokyo Youth Cup, Korea sent an even larger delegation of 32 members, including athletes, coaches, staff, and a documentary team. On the eve of the competition, the team trained with a Japanese fitness coach for two hours to enhance coordination and rhythm.

In South Korea, HADO’s development is progressing at a national level. Government departments in nine cities, including Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, and Daegu, are actively promoting the sport.

HADO and Education: A Path to University

HADO has also become a stepping stone for higher education in Korea. Two players from the 2023 World Cup semifinalist team, Jinu and Jay, gained university admissions with scholarships thanks to their HADO achievements. Jinu, now a Computer Science major at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, impressed interviewers by discussing his vision for AR technology through his HADO experience. Meanwhile, Jay, majoring in Media Art and Design at Chung-Ang University, showcased her original CG designs for HADO strategies, earning her a full four-year scholarship.

Expanding HADO’s Reach in Korea

According to Choi Hyun, CEO of HADO KROOT in South Korea, the sport’s popularity is growing rapidly. In addition to government-backed initiatives, six private HADO clubs are actively training athletes, fostering intense competition among players.

“Every match matters—no one walks away from a loss without tears,” Choi remarked.

Choi’s team is also in talks with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, raising the possibility of HADO gaining support at the national level, potentially even from the Blue House.Currently, over 200 registered HADO athletes in Korea include more than 60% middle and primary school students, aligning perfectly with the U15 age group. Choi anticipates that the number of players will double next year, with the proportion of U15 players remaining steady.

Looking Ahead: A European Challenge

The Korean team’s next stop is Europe, where they will face HADO teams from Turkey and England as part of their preparations for the fourth HADO World Cup, scheduled for May 2025.

With strong grassroots development and increasing international experience, South Korea continues to establish itself as a formidable force in the AR sport of HADO.