If South Korea’s World Cup opener needed drama, it got it — and fans in Koreatown matched the moment.
Some 2,000 supporters packed Liberty Park on Thursday to watch South Korea rally past Czechia in a 2-1 victory. Hundreds more watched the livestream on the giant screen from sidewalks and restaurants across the street.
When Hwang In-beom pulled South Korea level, people jumped from their folding chairs and picnic mats, screaming, hugging and throwing their hands into the air.
When Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner, Korean flags whipped above the crowd as screams drowned out the livestream commentary and South Korean singer Psy’s beloved electropop track, “It’s Art,” blasted through the speakers.
It’s South Korea’s first opening match World Cup victory since 2010. After a scoreless first half, Czechia took the lead in the 59th minute, and fans at Liberty Park answered with chants of “gwenchana” — Korean for “it’s okay” — urging the team on.
By the final whistle, Liberty Park was shaking with cheers as South Korea mounted a devastating comeback.
The watch party began hours before kickoff with food, festivities and K-pop performances off Wilshire Boulevard.
“It feels amazing to be in community with fellow Korean Americans and root for our team,” said Candice Lee, a Koreatown resident. “I came here right after work around 5 p.m. and was shocked to see so many people already here and going crazy.”
Throughout the match, the park rumbled with chants of “Dae-Han-Min-Guk,” the Korean name for South Korea, followed by five synchronized claps in one of the country’s signature soccer cheers.
A soundtrack of Korean anthems blasted through the speakers, including Psy’s “It’s Art,” Trans Fixion’s “For Victory” and Buzz’s “Reds, Go Together.”
Thursday’s watch party also offered a preview of next week’s highly anticipated Mexico v. South Korea matchup.
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 earlier in the day, and while red dominated Liberty Park, fans in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and other national team jerseys were scattered throughout the crowd.
Wearing a bright green tank top that read “Mexico,” Koreatown resident Venus Meza said the neighborhood reflects the close ties between the two communities.
“I’ve experienced a lot of cultural exchange with Mexican culture and Koreans,” she said. “It’s been really cool to see how it kind of bleeds into each other.”
Biannis Angeles, who traveled from Huntington Park carrying a Korean flag, said he loves K-pop and wants the two countries “to tie and go up together in next week’s game.”
Paul Kim of the Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation, a co-host of the watch parties in Koreatown, said the gathering feels different from the World Cups he remembers. He has watched every tournament in Koreatown since 2002 and said he is especially excited that this year’s matches are taking place at normal hours.
“The Korea vs. Mexico game will be a monumental game,” he said. “I hope people understand it’s just a game, but these two communities work together well, respect each other well in this city and neighborhood. It means a lot.”
For Joy Kim, who came to the watch party with her friends, one of the highlights of the day was seeing fans of different backgrounds celebrate together.
“It’s beautiful to see the community come together to relax and have a little fun and forget about all our struggles and worries even for a little while,” she said.
“I’m obviously rooting for Team Korea but I see many Mexican fans and other nationalities here. That is so touching. We’re all one.”
Fans can watch South Korea take on Mexico on June 18 at Seoul International Park, where festivities begin at 10 a.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff.
