In a first for the National Hockey League (NHL), the LA Kings hosted K-Town Night on March 23 at Crypto.com Arena, celebrating Korean American culture in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,145. The event marked the league’s first large-scale cultural program dedicated to Korean Americans.
Korean Performances Open the Night
Ten minutes before puck drop, five members of the Janggu team from the Koreatown Senior & Community Center, led by Shin Young-Shin, performed a traditional “Uttari Samulnori” piece. Using instruments such as the janggu, kkwaenggwari, buk, taepyeongso, and jing, the team delivered a high-energy 90-second performance. The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause.
“I practiced every day for a month,” said Choi Hye-Seon, who played the taepyeongso and kkwaenggwari. “It was my first time performing at such a large event. I hope we get another chance.”
National Anthem and Opening Ceremony
To officially start the game, 13 harmonica players—also from the Senior Center—performed the U.S. national anthem. Their rendition was broadcast on the arena’s large screen and televised across the country.
“It was a beautiful performance,” one LA Kings official said. Performer Park Jung-Kyu added, “We practiced two hours a day for a month and a half. It was an honor.”
In keeping with team tradition, each period began with the sound of a drum. Representing the Korean community, Shin Young-Shin struck the drum to kick off the first period.
Limited-Edition Korean-Themed Merchandise
The LA Kings released exclusive merchandise in collaboration with The Hundreds, a streetwear brand founded by a Korean American. The gear included shirts, hoodies, and beanies featuring traditional Korean patterns and the word “킹스” (Kings) in Hangul. The items were displayed prominently at the team store inside Crypto.com Arena.
K-Pop Music and Korean American Storytelling
During the first intermission, Korean DJ Jin performed a K-pop set. Songs by BIGBANG and BLACKPINK filled the arena, energizing the crowd. A special video also played during the game, highlighting the history and culture of Koreatown. Featuring rapper Dumbfoundead and chef Yoon Sang, the video explored the immigrant journey and the uniquely Korean concept of “family culture.”
Behind the Scenes: One Korean Staff Member’s Vision
The idea for the event came from Lee Hye-Sung, the only Korean employee in the LA Kings’ front office. A data analyst on the Business Intelligence team, Lee began planning the event in July of last year.
“I wanted to share Korean culture with the broader LA community,” Lee said. “Asian fans, including Koreans, have been growing steadily over the past five years. I hope this event brings hockey closer to the Korean community.”
Community Reactions and Game Outcome
Many Korean American fans attended the game. Ko Tae-Joo said, “Seeing the senior center’s performances brought tears to my eyes. The spotlight on first-generation immigrants was deeply moving.”
Ko added, “Sometimes it feels like Korean visibility is fading in LA sports due to the popularity of Japanese players on the Dodgers. This was a proud moment.”
The LA Kings, currently ranked second in the NHL’s Pacific Division, won the game with a dominant 7–2 victory over the Boston Bruins. The NHL, one of the four major U.S. sports leagues, reported $6 billion in total revenue last season, including $400 million from broadcasting rights. The league is known for its particularly loyal fanbase.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
