제 22 호 Popularity of Baseball in Korea: Loved by Younger Generation and Others
Kicker: ENTERTAINMENT
Popularity of Baseball in Korea:
Loved by Younger Generation and Others
by Su-Min Lee , Cub-Reporter
If you look around, you may have at least one friend who likes baseball. Hearingthe popularity of baseball experienced by the KBO(Korea Professional Baseball League), which recently opened KBO-24 season, the older generation who have loved baseball from the past is the basic, and the popularity of baseball continues to grow around the younger generation who have begun to emerge. Under the influence of this popularity, the stands of local stadiums are sold out so that tickets are hard to get. Even contents and programs dealing with baseball are increasing in Korea. Due to the recent entry of Korean baseball player Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Ha-sung, and Ohtani who are drawing attention in Japan into the MLB(Major League Baseball), the baseball league is hotly loved around the world. Now, you can figure out the reason how to gain popularity and the problems with baseball that have occurred due to its rapid popularity.
그림 1Stadium packed with spectators
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Korean baseball, which has been showing more popularity since the beginning of the season than last year when the KBO league surpassed 8 million viewers in 1981, is loved by the young generation as well as the older generation who have shown affection for it. What is the cause of baseball's popularity that has also attracted the attention of the young generation and women?
How for Baseball to Earn Popularity
그림 2The poster of A Clean Sweep
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First, the emergence of the baseball program “A Clean Sweep”. This program organizes and hosts various games by selecting retired players as well as players who belong to college and high school teams. By increasing the accessibility with well-known players, it has contributed for various people to access and made it more interesting for people to learn about baseball. Second, the “All-Star Game” It is an event that divides popular players from 10 Korean professional baseball teams into two teams and shows various performances.
Efforts to Booster of Baseball's Popularity
In order to respond to fans' interest, the KBO is offering various experiences related to baseball including fan events. For example, a collaboration between the Hanwha Eagles and the convenient store, GS25 has set up a flagship store in Daejeon, where visitors can feel the atmosphere of the stadium and purchase goods. In addition, LG holds a “Uniform Day” with LG U+. They make uniforms and goods using the LG character “Moono”. Therefore, they bring memories to audiences who come to the stadium with various photo zones and goods. Finally, SSG ran a “Brand Day” called Lundersbuck which was a collaboration with Starbucks, decorating the stadium with green uniforms and hats. Also, they operated an experienced zone that combined fun elements such as Starbucks' home run zone. These activities helped people of different ages and interests to become interested in baseball.
The Problems with Baseball's Popularity
However, there are obvious limitations to this thunderbolt popularity. Problems that need to be gradually resolved have recently emerged. First of all, the most problematic part was the reservation system of baseball. In the past, people used to go to the stadium in person to purchase a seat ticket to enter. Whereas recently reservations using the website of each stadium have made it difficult to get tickets for those who are not familiar with Internet use. For this reason, the on-site reservation system has appeared since then. However, the problem seems to be continuing due to the emergence of illegal ticket traders. Second, there is a problem with the OTT service. Starting from the KBO 2024 season, OTT service “Tving” is exclusively in charge of broadcasting. Therefore, payment for Tving is mandatory in order to watch baseball. As baseball broadcasting, which was provided free of charge, has become more expensive. People who are burdened by the increased cost of watching baseball have faced limits. In addition, illegal watcing baseball websites are appearing in response to the demand of viewers, which has been burdened by the overall increase in monthely prices of OTT companies. The appeareance of these issues creates barriers to access baseball.
In order for baseaball with both side to grow further by being loved by many people, a clear compromise is needed and it will be necessary to think about it. To convey a way to truly enjoy baseball which has clear limitations but is loved so much, first of all, memorizing a team's cheering song whole watching various a team's cheering song while watching with various foods can be a fun way to enjoy the game. Lastly, the important thing is cheering as one with the audience on the spot will be a way you spend a happy time with precious people while relieving stress.
SOURCES:
https://n.news.naver.com/article/382/0001123766?sid=101
https://n.news.naver.com/article/020/0003562719?sid=101
https://m.ekn.kr/view.php?key=20240513024395879
https://www.donga.com/news/Sports/article/all/20230804/120564787/1
https://www.gukjenews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2965720
