Short Korean Men Live in Terror after Luger's Death in Vancouver

After the death of Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili at the beginning of the Vancouver Olympics, short Korean men across the nation have been staying in, acting skittish, and looking over their shoulders everywhere they go.

Why the seemingly paranoid behavior? "After that Misuda episode, all of us guys under 180 centimeters tall are worried that we might be the next luger to go," 158 cm. tall Chan Won-gyu explained.

A few months ago, you see, a small controversy was stirred up by an episode of "Misuda" - Chatting With Beauties - when Hongik University Student Lee Do-kyung called all men shorter than 180 centimeters lugers.

While offensive, this in itself was not enough to make Korea's under-height men fear for their lives; however, before the Vancouver games, the death of another of their kind - the late Nodar Kumaritashvili - has set them all to worrying for their lives. "Nobody's quite sure if his death was a consequence of his condition of being a luger - and if it was, any of us might be next." Chang Won-gyu is taking no risks. He's been taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and avoiding PC rooms, and other dark, yet busy areas where he might get singled out by a crowd. "It's been hard staying away from the whoring districts, but a man's gotta do what he needs to stay alive," Chang said, shrugging.

"Meanwhile, there are enough stereotypes about lugers already... I hope they don't think all of us lugers are like these two guys."

(photo source)

While for Chang, it's a simple equation: short men should watch their backs - he is confused about one thing. "How did luging become a sport? I mean, does the shortest guy win the gold medal? And is the winner just the biggest luger of them all? Winter sports are confusing. Go YUNA!"