Published At 2025.05.30
Experience
Let’s Enjoy, KBO!
The Heartbeat of Korean Baseball: A Season to Remember
By Min-Jeong Ju
2024-11-11
Korean professional baseball, or KBO, sparks a special passion among fans. The fierce competition among players, the charm of its ten teams, and the vibrant atmosphere created by cheering fans all contribute to the love for the sport. Attending a baseball game is not just about watching the action; it's an experiential cultural event filled with delicious stadium food, drinks, and the unique tradition of enthusiastic cheering. On September 24, I visited Jamsil Baseball Stadium to immerse myself in the excitement of the last home game of the 2024 season. There are a total of 10 teams in the KBO. The KBO League teams are spread across South Korea: the LG Twins and Doosan Bears share Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul; the Kiwoom Heroes play in Gocheok, Seoul; the Samsung Lions represent Daegu; the Lotte Giants call Busan home; the KIA Tigers are based in Gwangju; the Hanwha Eagles reside in Daejeon; the NC Dinos play in Changwon; and the KT Wiz compete in Suwon. Each Team has passionate local fans and many traveling supporters. The Doosan Bears vs. NC Dinos game on September 24th was the Bears' last home game of the season. I bought chicken and drinks for the 6:30 PM start and sat in the Navy seats on the third deck. The game was thrilling, with the Dinos hitting 2 home runs and the Bears hitting 3. Doosan ended up winning and clinching a spot in the postseason. After the game, there was a celebratory event with player comments and a laser show. The Doosan Bears ended the game by sending a thank you message to the fans during the laser show to their cheering song, "Bravo, My Life!" The following are impressions from my fellow reporters who joined me at the game. Bo-kyung Lee expressed, “Even though the team’s ranking was almost decided, I enjoyed cheering with the fans and players. This experience made me realize that, regardless of the outcome, what matters is giving our best and enjoying the moment together. It was truly memorable, and I hope to return to the stadium.” I-re Kim remarked, “This was a valuable opportunity to experience a baseball culture I wasn’t familiar with. I was impressed by how passionately fans supported their teams, even with a significant ranking gap. I now understand that enjoying the game, surrounded by enthusiastic fans, is what makes baseball special.” Yu-jeong Jang shared, “It was my first time at a baseball game, and I was thrilled by the experience. The crowd was larger than I expected, and their cheers were electrifying. I found myself completely absorbed in the atmosphere, feeling anxious for every pitch and cheering loudly for every hit. The dedication of the fans, regardless of the teams’ standings, truly demonstrated their love for baseball. I look forward to the next opportunity to experience this excitement again.” Watching and cheering for Korean baseball is more than just a pastime; it’s an engaging cultural experience that strengthens the bond between fans and teams. As we celebrate the end of the 2024 season, we look forward to enjoying baseball on the field next season.