Annyeong haseyo, Asia!

INCHEON — “Dae han min guk, dae han min guk” (which means the Republic of Korea), the war cry of 60,000 fans seated in the terraces of the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, was hard to miss, summoning the straggling crowds milling about the plazas and waterways surrounding the newly completed complex.

Just outside, the ubiquitous selfie stick-wielding teenagers made the most of their Kodak moment — a first in 12 years for South Korea after the last Asiad in Busan in 2002 — posing for photos with their friends and athletes making their way to the opening ceremony of the Sept 19 to Oct 4 Games.

K-pop group EXO sounded the final call, as the 162-minute opening show finally kicked off at 7.20pm (Korea time) last night as the words “welcome” and “Incheon” flashed across the three giant LED screens around the stadium, while fireworks lit up the city’s night sky.

The party had only just begun, as thousands of performers weaved a tale around the ceremony’s theme, “Meet the bright future of Asia”, entertaining the crowd with a show of Korean traditional art, culture and song while showcasing the attractions and cultures of the region’s other 44 countries.

K-pop stars and celebrities were on hand to keep the crowd on their feet, with actors Jang Dong-gun and Kim Soo-hyun, soprano Sumi Jo and JYJ drawing the loudest cheers and screams from the terraces.

The traditional parade of nations took a twist last night, with the 45 countries making their appearances in Korean alphabetical order.

Led by sprinter and flagbearer Gary Yeo, Singapore were 18th in line to take the spotlight on the Asian Games stage and the athletes — including the men’s 4x100m relay team and sailors — were clearly in the mood to party, with footballers spotted doing a cheeky “Gangnam style” dance on stage.

While neighbours North Korea were wildly cheered, there was little doubt who the real stars of the Games were. Watched on by South Korean president Park Geun-hye, the South’s 831-strong contingent, led by Olympic wrestling gold medallist Kim Hyeon-woo, received a standing ovation from the crowd waving the Korean flag to welcome their Asian Games heroes.

Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee president Kim Young-soo was first to welcome visitors to Incheon — including International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach — as he addressed the crowd last night. “The 17th Asian Games have been prepared not as a festival for just a few nations, but as a magnificent festival for all Asians to celebrate as one,” he said.

Added Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, president of Olympic Council of Asia: “Seven years ago, this stadium — like the Games themselves — was only a dream. But today, that dream has come true.”

While Hallyu may have taken the world by storm, the hosts are certainly not lacking in sporting talent, with the likes of badminton’s former Olympic and world champion Park Joo-bong and current stars Park Inbee (golf) as well as Lee Seung-yeop (baseball) sharing the stage.

But the most-anticipated moment of the opening ceremony threw up a surprise for the 60,000-strong crowd and television viewers throughout Asia, with popular Korean actress Lee Young-ae of Jewel of the Palace fame lighting the flame — for a specially designed fire-fountain cauldron — with budding young athletes Kim Young-ho (diving) and rhythmic gymnast Kim Joo-won.

A continent of 45 nations with diverse cultures and languages may throw up many challenges in communication, but no words were needed to understand Psy, as the entertainer ended the ceremony with an energetic performance of his breakout hit Gangnam Style, to the delight of the audience and athletes.

What a party for Korea to say Annyeong Haseyo!