On the eve of his home debut, residents of Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood describe a community abuzz over the ex-Premier League star
Sitting at the table at Baja’s Grill in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Daniel Cho uses his stylus to add an outline to a new sticker. It’s two fingers in an L shape, framing a box with the No 7, a replication of Son Heung-min’s signature celebration. Nearby, fans are banging on drums, shouting “Ole ole ole ole, LAFC I love you. Wherever even in my dreams, I’ll follow you,” in a mixture of Korean and Spanish, a chant adapted from one belonging to fans of the Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the K-League, Korea’s top division.
Growing up in Argentina, Cho was accustomed to soccer being the dominant focus. His friends all supported Boca Juniors. Cho emigrated to America at the age of 17 and settled in Koreatown, where Lionel Messi’s popularity piqued his interest. But it wasn’t until he met other Los Angeles Football Club fans at church that he grew to be a loyal, weekly watcher. Now, his Son Heung-min art will adorn the stands at BMO Field, LAFC’s home stadium where the former Tottenham Hotspur star will make his home debut this weekend.
