Women's football in South Korea is growing like many other countries around the world.
In 2010 South Korea's under-17 team won the youth World Cup and with many of those players still involved with the team, hopes are growing the Taeguk Lagies could triumph in France at the Women's World Cup.
When the national men's team reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002 - a tournament hosted by South Korea and Japan - well over a million people celebrated on the streets of Seoul.
Julie Lee has played football more than half of her life. Source: John Baldock/SBS
Sydney student Julie Lee, who is from South Korea, told SBS News it would be the same if the women's team managed to succeed in France.
"They'd probably go crazy and there will be people on the streets everywhere," she said.
For many Koreans, prioritising education over sport isn't uncommon, but Julie's parents have never stood in her way of playing the game she loves.
After four years living in Australia, her family will return to Seoul at the end of the current school term. But she fully intends to keep playing the game.
"They knew I loved it from day one and have supported me playing it. When I go back to Korea I'm hoping to join a school team and possibly a club team if that's possible."
Julie Lee's family at Bondi Icebergs (Left to right: Julie, Father Hyun, Sister Kelly, Grandmother, Mother Heayean) Source: Supplied
Julie has always been a supporter of Korean football - both the men's and women's games. When the men's team played the Socceroos in Brisbane last year she went to the match to show her support.
Glass ceiling
South Korea has a bad track record when it comes to equality in the workplace.
Despite it having the highest tertiary education rate for women aged 25 to 34 out of 36 OECD nations, the country ranked at number 30 for women's employment last year. And women hold just 17 per cent of seats in the country's parliament.
The first international women's football game involving South Korea took place in 1990 and it was a baptism of fire. They were thrashed 13-1 by Japan.
But now the team is on the verge of taking part in its third Women's World Cup and domestically, the country has an eight-team women's league called the WK League.
Julie Lee supports her beloved South Korea against Australia Source: Supplied
Julie's father is an executive for Samsung, and its because of his work the family is relocating back to Korea.
Julie hope to stay in touch with her Australian friends
"I'm a little bit sad but I think I'll come here in the holidays and I'll get to keep in touch with them while I'm in Korea."
And if Korea's women manage to do the country proud in France, that transition will be a little smoother for Julie.
South Korea is in Pool A alongside the host nation France, Norway and Nigeria. They play in the opening match of the tournament against France on Saturday at 5am AEST.
The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup takes place in France, 7 June-7 July.
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SBS will offer all Matildas matches, the opening game, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final live, free and in HD. All SBS games will also be live streamed on website and app.
