Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is a ‘Superstar’ in Korea, Says Korean Baseball Expert
It’s no secret that Shohei Ohtani is a superstar. The Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter has brought in countless headlines and media attention, especially in the United States and Japan.
However, Ohtani’s star power stretches even farther than that. With the Dodgers in Seoul, South Korea for their first regular-season games Wednesday and Thursday, it’s clear Ohtani is beyond popular in South Korea as well.
Korean Baseball expert Daniel Kim spoke to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain, and explained what makes this level of stardom for Ohtani in Korea so significant.
“He’s a superstar in Korea. I’ve never seen anything like this. Yes, there have been some other Korean players that were this popular, this loved by the fans. But Shohei Ohtani, as you know, is Japanese. For a non-Korean athlete to be this much celebrated, I’ve never seen it before.”
— Korean journalist Daniel Kim, via Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain
Kim then broke down why specifically Ohtani has become so revered in Korea, and that this fandom started long before Ohtani joined the Dodgers and was set to play in Korea.
“It definitely speaks to the volume of the type of player that he is. Korean fans have been following for Shohei Ohtani for a long time. Not just because he is a two-way player, I think the attitude that he has, the respect that he has for the game, the process that he has. And I think that’s one of the main reasons why Korean fans are so attracted to him, so into his career.”
— Korean journalist Daniel Kim, via Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain
The appreciation for Ohtani has only become clearer since the Dodgers arrived in Korea. Ohtani has already been on the front cover of local newspapers. In exhibition game action, Ohtani received an ovation even when he struck out.
All this simply adds to the legend of Ohtani, and how unprecedented his stardom has become.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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