The opening ceremony for the 2018 Winter Olympics was LIT — and we’re not even sure what our favorite moment was.
On Friday evening, the Olympic games in Pyeongchang, South Korea were officially kicked off thanks to a festive televised ceremony. Not only did we meet the many athletes competing, but we got to see how they were all fairing in the freezing temperature.
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We know one Olympian is adjusting to the cold, as he went SHIRTLESS for the parade of nations. Yup, Tongan athlete Pita Taufatofua (pictured above) oiled down his beautiful Polynesian body and donned a traditional outfit from his nation for the ceremony. This decision has left all of Twitter thirsty AF and clamoring for more.
Be sure to ch-ch-check out the best reactions to Taufatofua’s shirtlessness and other memorable moments (below)…
That’s it. We’re moving to Tonga.
And we’re not the only ones who feel this way, as many fans took to social media to praise the 34-year-old taekwondo practitioner turned skier. They noted:
Two years on from Rio and @PitaTaufatofua is topless again! 😮 Welcome Tonga to the Winter @Olympics! 🇹🇴
See more on @pyeongchang2018 here: https://t.co/M70cMvG6ul pic.twitter.com/w8IQKpDLgM
— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) February 9, 2018
Bermuda: Its not that cold. We can wear shorts.
Tonga guy: Hold my beer#OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/i4z8Btrvdm
— Nick Murray (@NickMurray91) February 9, 2018
I salute you, Tonga pic.twitter.com/8ICNmDK0m0
— Sam Kim (@samkimasia) February 9, 2018
Tonga goes shirtless again in freezing weather. #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/qI4VHumVDk
— 🚨🥌Brandon Millman🥌🚨 (@BrandonMillman) February 9, 2018
In case you forgot, after becoming a fan favorite at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Pita announced he would try his hand at the winter games with cross-country skiing. He is the island nation’s only competitor at this Olympics.
And while the Tongan heated things up at the opening ceremony, it was the nonstop dancers who REALLY stole the show. During the kickoff, a number of dancers took to the center ring of the stadium to do some choreography. Although we were impressed with their moves, we were actually surprised to see that they danced through the ENTIRE parade of nations.
For 91 countries, these dancers side stepped and shimmied to an upbeat tempo. Viewers commented:
The real heroes of this games so far are the dancers who are busting out every bad dad move for an hour and a half loop #PyeongChang2018 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/gW9gXarfkG
— Ephy Gee (@egordo17) February 9, 2018
Forget the athletes – Those South Korean dancers in the middle are probably the fittest people in that stadium right now. #OpeningCeremony
— Joe Tham (@j_tham) February 9, 2018
How about some love for the adorable “tiger” dance moves of the #OpeningCeremony dancers! I need one of those #Soohorang hats├░┼╕╦£┬ì├░┼╕╦£┬ì├░┼╕╦£┬ì #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/OCNev86Mkc
— Gloria Sin (@gloria_sin) February 9, 2018
Can we please all appreciate the dancers during the #OpeningCeremony that literally do a different dance move everytime I see them?
— Lisa Bobien (@mablefalls) February 9, 2018
The stamina of these dancers is insane #OpeningCeremony #PeyongChang2018
— Ryan Veldhuizen (@ryan_veldhuizen) February 9, 2018
Hear! Hear! The dance troupe further impressed when they broke it down to Gangnam Style.
Speaking of Gangnam Style, the 2012 viral hit played JUST as Team USA entered the arena and many were conflicted about it. Some were delighted to see PSY‘s banger backtracking the United States’ entrance, others were mortified. Although many, like us, were delighted to see that Vice President Mike Pence was forced to smile and wave amid the pop track.
See what Twitter had to say (below):
As athletes march at the Opening Ceremony, biggest cheer is when Psy’s Gangnam Style starts playing #pyeongchang2018
— Paula Hancocks (@PHancocksCNN) February 9, 2018
The United States of America are entering to the Olympic Stadium to Gangnam Style as Mike Pence waves to them.
Welcome to 2018. #OpeningCeremony
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) February 9, 2018
If you were keeping track, it took a full 36 minutes for Gangnam Style to play. Organizers showing much restraint.
— Nathan VanderKlippe (@nvanderklippe) February 9, 2018
#TeamUSA enter stadium, some dancing to Gangnam Style pic.twitter.com/RukKOQJYob
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 9, 2018
Team USA just walked in to Gangnam Style at the #OpeningCeremony. These Olympics are officially 🔥🔥🔥
— Bette Marston (@bettemarston) February 9, 2018
me: it’s 2018 already, gangnam style can leave-
meanwhile korea: *plays the song at the olympics*
— johnny day ♡ | D-13 (@iIyeols) February 9, 2018
Too funny. However, the moment that truly got us was when North and South Korea entered the opening ceremony together. This is the first time in 11 years that athletes from both Koreas marched in the parade together. The moment was truly historic:
North and South Korea enter together at the #OpeningCeremony
Another Olympic moment in the books. pic.twitter.com/QBsFgItqHV
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 9, 2018
South Korea and North Korea under one flag, world peace ├░┼╕ΓÇÖΓÇô #PyeongChang2018 #PyongChang2018
— ; ⛅ (@geianaenae) February 9, 2018
So far I’ve only seen photos of North Korea and South Korea matching together, unified, and it’s truly a beautiful sight #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/vYDkSy3bOE
— Thomas (@ThomasToryn) February 9, 2018
So amazing.
What was YOUR favorite moment?? Be sure to let us know in the comments (below)!
[Image via AP Images.]
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