More than 2,000 fans roared in red as LA’s Korean community united in Koreatown to celebrate South Korea’s dramatic comeback victory over the Czech Republic in its World Cup opener.
A dramatic comeback unfolded, and once again, a single soccer ball brought the Korean American community together.
When the final whistle sounded at 9 p.m. on June 11, signaling the end of South Korea’s opening group-stage match against the Czech Republic, Liberty Park in LA’s Koreatown erupted into a sea of red.
Hyun-kyung Lee, 35, who attended the watch party with coworkers after work, embraced complete strangers around her as they celebrated the victory together.
“It was so disappointing when Korea conceded the first goal, but I am thrilled that we were able to cheer like this in the end,” Lee said. “We want to continue celebrating together somewhere else after this.”
The event featured an LAFC activity booth, community organization exhibits and food trucks, adding to the festival-like atmosphere.
Early arrivals received Red Devils T-shirts and cheering sticks, while a raffle for a Korean Air round-trip ticket to South Korea drew an enthusiastic response.
Ji-soo Park, 35, said she took a day off from work to attend the event.
“The World Cup only comes once every four years, so I could not let it pass by,” Park said.
Jae-eun Lee, 30, arrived wearing a Son Heung-min jersey with a group of about 10 friends.
“It feels as though we are in Korea,” Lee said. “Seeing hundreds of Korean Americans cheering together makes my heart race.”
According to the LA Korean Community Organizing Committee, a coalition of Korean American organizations that hosted the watch party, more than 2,000 people gathered at the park.
Fans wearing Red Devils shirts and South Korean national team jerseys began arriving before kickoff, many carrying Korean flags.
Families, college students and office workers joined the celebration, transforming the park into a large community festival.
Major news outlets also showed strong interest in the Korean American community’s enthusiasm.
Fox News, ABC7, CBS and the Los Angeles Times were among the media organizations that visited Liberty Park to broadcast and report on the watch party.
Robert Ahn, president of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, said the event was organized as a communitywide effort involving the city of Los Angeles, the City Council District 10 office, the LA Reds organizing committee and the Los Angeles Police Department.
“More than 40 booths were installed, and over 30 performance teams participated, allowing the event to grow into a true community festival,” Ahn said.
Soccer fans from other ethnic communities, including Latino residents, also joined the watch party and supported South Korea.
Javier Perez, 29, attended wearing a Mexico national team jersey.
“I hope South Korea and Mexico can both advance to the round of 32,” Perez said with a smile. “But in the next match, I want Mexico to win the group and Korea to advance in second place.”
Koreatown businesses also experienced a welcome surge in customers.
Restaurants and bars began filling with fans before kickoff, and reserved seating at several popular establishments was booked well in advance.
Eun-kyung Park, owner of King Pocha near Third Street and Western Avenue, said reservation calls began early in the morning.
“Most of the seats were filled before the match started,” Park said. “It finally feels like the World Cup is being held here in Los Angeles.”
After the match, fans moved to restaurants and bars throughout Koreatown to continue celebrating, keeping the neighborhood crowded late into the night.
At Byul Gopchang near Sixth Street, a long line formed as fans arrived from the watch party. Korean businesses across the neighborhood enjoyed what many described as a “World Cup boom.”
The victory marked South Korea’s fourth win in a World Cup group-stage opener and its first opening-match victory in 16 years.
South Korea will face Mexico in its second group-stage match at 6 p.m. Pacific time on June 18.
A community watch party for the match will be held at Seoul International Park.
If South Korea advances from the group in second place, the national team will play its round-of-32 match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
