Actor Jung Ho-yeon and singer-songwriter EJAE captured the world's attention with a "dress-and-sneakers" fashion at the opening and closing ceremonies of the North and Central American World Cup.
Earlier on the 12th (Korea time) in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca, the opening ceremony stage for the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) North and Central American World Cup was held.
EJAE, who sang the theme song for the Netflix film "K-pop Demon Hunters" and sparked a global sensation, performed the World Cup official theme song "DNA" alongside world-renowned maestro Andrea Bocelli. EJAE's Korean lyric she wrote herself, "또 넘어져도 난, 또 다시 일어나. This is more than just a game, It's our DNA," rang out over the live broadcast, delivering a heavy emotional impact.
EJAE's fashion in particular drew great interest; she appeared in a subtly blue dress that elicited admiration. The silver sneakers revealed beneath the dress were a surprising point. Rather than high heels, she matched the glamorous dress with sneakers as a thoughtful choice to prevent damage to the stadium's green turf. It was both a consideration to minimize turf damage and a moment that highlighted EJAE's deep respect and attention to detail toward the soccer world and the pitch.
If EJAE was at the opening ceremony, Jung Ho-yeon stood out at the closing ceremony after rising to stardom with "Squid Game." Busy with promotional schedules at home for the release of Hope, he quickly headed to the United States, having skipped a stage greeting schedule. It turned out she had departed to participate in the World Cup closing ceremony event.
Argentina and Spain played the much-anticipated North and Central American World Cup final at 4 a.m. on the 20th (Korea time) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Before the match started that day, Jung Ho-yeon made a surprise appearance at the trophy unveiling event, drawing attention. As a global ambassador for a luxury brand, she appeared on the field carrying the World Cup winner's trophy case produced by that brand.
Most notably, Jung Ho-yeon entered holding the trophy case alongside Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, signaling the start of the final. On the World Cup final stage, which drew the world's attention, she added significance as the first Korean actor to participate in an official event.
Jung Ho-yeon also entered the field wearing soccer-design sneakers. Like EJAE, she showed the sense to choose sneakers under her dress instead of high heels out of a desire to protect and reduce damage to the turf.
At the closing ceremony, in addition to Jung Ho-yeon, BTS performed their global mega-hit "Dynamite." They altered existing lyrics to soccer-related expressions such as "kick the ball" and "a game of football" to enhance the meaning of the World Cup final, and the activities of K-stars shone.
[Photo] ©Gettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), BH Entertainment
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