BMO Stadium, home to LAFC where Son Heung Min plays, transformed into a full-fledged K-pop festival as over 22,000 fans gathered for a K-culture showcase co-produced by HYBE and LAFC on October 29. Held during the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs opener, the event immersed local soccer fans in the energy of Korean pop culture, from K-pop performances to K-food experiences. The night opened with a stunning 10-minute light show set to HYBE artists’ biggest hits, featuring BTS’s MIC Drop, SEVENTEEN’s HOT, TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s CROWN, and LE SSERAFIM’s ANTIFRAGILE. Fireworks erupted to BTS’s Dynamite, sending the crowd into a frenzy as synchronized LED wristbands lit up the stands. The celebration reached new heights when LAFC secured victory against Austin, with the entire stadium pulsating like a live concert venue. Fans danced and sang along under the glowing lights, turning the playoff match into a spectacular fusion of sports and K-pop culture.
Local Korean eateries delighted attendees with fusion favorites such as Korean-style chicken sandwiches and kimchi tacos, marking BMO Stadium’s first-ever all-Korean cuisine zone, where every dish quickly sold out. The fusion of K-pop and American soccer drew praise from U.S. media, with CBS Sports commending HYBE’s collaboration for transforming the match into a vibrant Korean cultural festival that fostered pride within the Korean-American community. The Gist lauded the event as an inventive crossover between Los Angeles’s soccer culture and the West Coast’s rapidly growing K-pop fandom. Isaac Lee, HYBE America’s Chairman and CEO, expressed excitement over the collaboration, emphasizing that the partnership strengthened ties with the local Korean community and expanded HYBE’s cultural reach across Los Angeles. LAFC Co-President Larry Freedman echoed the sentiment, noting that working with HYBE—an organization that understands the power of fandom—showcased the powerful synergy between sports, music, and community engagement.
