Korean Baseball (KBO): Why It's the Most Fun Sports Experience You'll Have in Korea

Source: cjnews

"Who here loves baseball or is interested in watching it? If so, Korean baseball is the right choice to start with! I promise you, Korean baseball is very different from other countries' baseball. I went to watch the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium, and honestly, it was one of the best experiences I've had in my life. I had no idea what to expect going in, but I left completely obsessed. It's loud, it's fun, and there's so much going on that you never have a dull moment. I’ll tell you more throughout this blog. 

1. The Cheering Culture

Source: starnewskorea

I have visited sports venues in many countries. However, the energy of South Korean baseball fans far exceeded my expectations. Every batter/player has their own exclusive cheering song, and thousands of people across the full stadium accurately sing along to all songs, which is amazing. A permanent cheerleading team continues their high energy throughout the game, and this experience was far more striking than the UK football stadium matches I have attended firsthand. Trust me, you will understand me if you visit a Korean baseball game; it's a type of atmosphere that can only be truly understood through personal experience.

2. The Food Culture

Source: foodtoday

It was only when I went to watch a baseball game at a stadium in South Korea that I discovered the food there is nothing like the perfunctory, bland hot dogs typical of ordinary sports venues. In Korean stadiums, people can enjoy a variety of foods, including fried chicken, gimbap, ramyeon, and iced beer. In my experience, the dumplings from the Boyoung Mandu at Jamsil Stadium particularly left a lasting impression on me, it was very delicious, so I highly recommend this shop. The entry ticket for this experience was completely worth the cost just for these food offerings, which rank as the best food I have ever had at any sports venue around the world. 

3. Idol First Pitches

Source: news1

Who here loves K-Pop! I definitely do love K-Pop music and idols. If you are into the K-Pop industry just like me, Korean baseball even gets better. There are often times when idols come to throw the first pitch to open up the game and cheer up the team. Both baseball fans and idol fans come to the stadium to attend these games in person, and related clips always go viral across the internet. I personally think it is such a unique way to experience K-pop and baseball at the same time. Getting to see your favorite idol throw that first pitch and experience Korean baseball is simply the most unique and interesting experience you can have in Korea. 

4. The Teams and Their Cities

Source: gukjenews

The Korea Professional Baseball League (KBO) has a total of 10 teams, each based in a distinct city. For example, three of these teams located in Seoul are the LG Twins, Doosan Bears, and Kiwoom Heroes. Competition between teams is very intense, and local fans hold extremely high enthusiasm for their home teams. If you are traveling around Korea, I highly recommend checking for local matches in every city you visit; it will be an excellent way to experience local culture.

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5. How to Buy Tickets

Source: tripadvisor

In case you are wondering where to buy the tickets, I will guide you through. You can easily buy the tickets through the KBO official app or their website. The tickets normally open a week before the match, so you can buy the tickets in advance. Another way is to buy tickets in person at the stadium on the day of the game. However, I do not really recommend this way, as tickets for popular matchups sell out very quickly, so booking ahead is a much safer choice. The ticket prices are very affordable as well compared to other sports games around the world. 

I unexpectedly developed a genuine passion for Korean baseball over the past years after visiting the game, and now it is far more than just a sport to me. The experience with delicious food, an enthusiastic atmosphere, and nonstop energy together made a complete cultural experience. Anyone traveling to Korea should attend a game in person, and you will absolutely not regret it. To find out more about Korean culture, visit the Daebak Blog to find more related content.

LAST TIPS

Lastly, I would like to end my blog with a few tips for first-timers: