South Korea’s mixed doubles curling team is making waves at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, even if a spot in the semifinals remains just out of reach. On February 8, 2026, Kim Seon-yeong and Jeong Yeong-seok delivered a commanding 9-3 victory over Estonia at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The win marks South Korea’s second consecutive triumph in the round-robin stage, coming hot on the heels of a nail-biting 6-5 win over the United States the previous day.
What a turnaround for Kim and Jeong! After dropping their first five matches in the 10-team round-robin tournament, few would have predicted such a spirited resurgence. But these two curlers, representing a nation that’s steadily earned respect on the ice, have shown that grit and teamwork can lead to redemption, even when the odds are stacked against them.
The match against Estonia started with a bang. Kim Seon-yeong executed a flawless double takeout with her final stone in the first end, propelling South Korea to an early 3-0 lead. That move set the tone for the entire contest and was a clear demonstration of Kim’s experience and precision under pressure. By the second end, South Korea’s advantage grew to 5-0, thanks to an unsuccessful draw by Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee, which left two Korean stones nestled near the button.
Estonia did manage to get on the board in the third end, but the Korean duo responded in style. Kim’s deft draw in the fourth end secured two more points, stretching the lead to 7-1. The South Koreans weren’t about to let up. Although Estonia snagged another point in the fifth, Kim’s clearing shot in the sixth end put the game almost out of reach, giving her team a 9-2 cushion. Estonia added one more point in the seventh, but with one end still to play, they conceded the match, acknowledging the insurmountable deficit.
With this victory, South Korea improved its record to 2-5. While that tally is unlikely to be enough for a top-four finish and a coveted semifinal berth, the back-to-back wins are a testament to the team’s resilience and ability to adapt under Olympic pressure. Curling fans will recall that Kim Seon-yeong is no stranger to the Olympic stage. She was a key member of the women’s team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, where she worked alongside coach Peter Gallant. Interestingly, South Korea’s next round-robin contest will pit Kim and Jeong against Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant—Peter Gallant’s son. It’s a matchup that adds a dash of familial intrigue to the Olympic drama and is sure to draw attention from curling aficionados worldwide.
Looking ahead, South Korea will close out its round-robin campaign against Norway on February 9. While a semifinal spot may be out of reach, the team’s recent performances have certainly provided a morale boost and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Olympic sport. For Kim and Jeong, these victories are about more than just numbers in the win column; they’re about pride, perseverance, and playing for the love of the game.
The broader curling competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics has been nothing short of captivating. The tournament, which runs from February 4 to February 22 in the picturesque Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, features powerhouse nations and rising stars alike. In the men’s event, Sweden entered as the defending champions, but both Great Britain and Canada have shown they’re hungry for the gold. On the women’s side, Great Britain is fending off fierce challenges from Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and the ever-determined South Korean squad.
For fans eager to catch every stone thrown and every end played, the good news is that live streaming options abound. Curling matches from the 2026 Winter Olympics can be watched for free on a range of platforms, including 9Now (Australia), ORF (Austria), CBC Gem (Canada), France TV (France), ARD (Germany), RTÉ Player (Ireland), RAI (Italy), RTVE (Spain), and BBC iPlayer (UK). However, these streams are geo-restricted, meaning fans outside the host countries may need to get creative to join the action. Enter VPN services like ExpressVPN, which allow users to bypass location barriers and enjoy live Olympic curling from anywhere in the world. ExpressVPN, for example, boasts servers in 105 countries, fast connection speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee—making it a favorite among sports streamers this winter.
Back on the ice, the South Korean team’s journey has been one of highs and lows. Their initial five consecutive losses threatened to end their Olympic dreams prematurely, but the duo’s ability to regroup and secure two straight wins speaks volumes about their mental toughness. As Kim and Jeong prepare to face Canada’s formidable duo, they’ll no doubt draw on the momentum and lessons learned from their recent victories. The connection between the Gallant family and Kim adds an extra layer of intrigue—will experience or youthful energy prevail in this cross-continental showdown?
It’s worth noting that curling, often dubbed “chess on ice,” demands not just physical skill but also razor-sharp strategy and unwavering focus. The South Korean team’s tactical prowess was on full display in their win over Estonia, particularly in the opening ends where they seized control and never looked back. Kim’s double takeout and pinpoint draws, coupled with Jeong’s steady support, created a dynamic partnership that Estonia simply couldn’t overcome.
As the round-robin phase draws to a close, the spotlight may soon shift to the medal contenders. But for South Korea, these Olympic moments are invaluable. Each match offers a chance to test themselves against the world’s best, to inspire fans back home, and to lay the groundwork for future success on the international stage. The curling community in South Korea has grown steadily in recent years, and performances like these will only fuel further interest and investment in the sport.
With one more round-robin contest remaining, Kim Seon-yeong and Jeong Yeong-seok have already proven they belong among the elite. Their story at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics may not end with a podium finish, but it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Olympic competition and the unpredictable, exhilarating nature of curling itself. Fans everywhere will be watching to see what surprises the final days of the tournament might bring.