On June 2nd in Osaka, Japan, BTS’s Maknae Jeon Jungkook made history for BTS!
BTS made the trip to Japan, specifically Koshien Stadium, repping jerseys for the Japanese baseball team Hanshin Tigers. Jungkook threw the opening pitch for the game, making him the first member in BTS to ever do so!
Although to many western fans, a first pitch is nothing in comparison to their other historical moments, to their domestic fan base, this was a very exciting event. In the last 100 years, the sport of baseball has interwoven itself into South Korean culture, now making it one of the most popular sports in South Korea.
During the early 1900s, Korea was introduced to baseball by Western missionaries. Its first official time played in the country was during the 1920s, but it was not official until the 1980s when the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) was created. The first six professional teams to be announced in Korean Baseball history were MBC Chungyong, Lotte Giants, Samsung Lions, OB Bears, Haitai Tigers, and Sammi Superstars.
Baseball has become not just a sporting event to attend, but it’s a cultural experience too! Korean baseball games are unlike any other. An average game has everything from delicious food to large squads of cheerleaders. They even have an MC to run the fan chants. What’s more, one can’t forget all the home and away fans supporting their teams!
In the last few decades, the first pitch has become something close to an art form. From Kpop idols to gymnasts, those that are chosen to throw the first pitch take pride in being able to do so.
After Jungkook’s first pitch, the other members of BTS were there to congratulate him, and the stadium even played BTS’s recent Japanese remake of their Korean hit “Blood Sweat & Tears.”
Check out this clip of the first pitch!
Have you seen any KBO games before? Do you have a favorite team? What about the first pitch? Did you think Jungkook did well? Let us know in the comments below!
Ceilidhmh is a dancing machine, but when she isn’t dancing to groups like VIXX, Boyfriend, BTS, EXO, or BAP (and basically every other group that exists) she is either watching a Korean drama, cosplaying, filming, studying for her college classes, and or creating fan art! Basically K-pop has taken over her life for many years… Although she loves boy groups the most, she finds herself falling for every K-pop group she comes in contact with and falls deeper and deeper every day.
Media: As Credited
Thank you for explaining it, I was wondering what kind of event was that
Glad it was a help! ^^