Korean community groups and businesses across the United States have set up watch parties for Thursday's World Cup group stage match between Korea and Mexico.
In the Seattle area, the Korean Association of Greater Seattle is hosting a large event at the Mural Amphitheatre in Seattle Center. Kim Won-jun, the association president, said the gathering is a festival created together by the entire Korean community.
Similar watch parties are planned at restaurants and community venues in Los Angeles Koreatown and New York. Supporters are optimistic after Korea's 2-1 opening win over Czechia on June 11.
The events allow multiple generations of Korean Americans to connect through shared heritage and cheering. Jayden Park, a college student in New York, noted that the World Cup brings people together to celebrate being Korean.
