Philip L. Gillett, an American missionary, is credited for bringing baseball to Seoul in 1905 (though the sport may have arrived in Korea even earlier). Today, the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League, founded in 1982, is the highest-level baseball league in Korea and even one of the highest-ranking baseball leagues in the world. Consequently, baseball enjoys immense popularity in Korea, and most foreigners who have witnessed a KBO game firsthand would describe the nation's baseball cheering culture as unparalleled. Based on our most recent experience, we would agree.
We attended a Doosan Bears vs. KT Wiz game. Initially, we tried to buy tickets online through the Doosan Bears website, but (like many other foreigners) ultimately found the process too onerous to complete without a Korean telephone number. We instead purchased our tickets right before the game at the Jamsil Stadium ticket booth. Though the seats for the Doosan Bears section was sold out (as Jamsil Stadium is home to the Bears), there were plenty of tickets in the KT Wiz section. We sat in the “Blue Zone”, which provided a fine view (but also unbearable exposure to the sun). If you want to be fully immersed in the cheering sections, it's recommended to get tickets in the "Exciting Zone." For the home team, this zone spans a few rows behind first base, while for the visiting team, a few rows behind third base. The cheering culture, which is difficult to understand without experiencing it, is what makes a Korean baseball game a participatory event. Each KBO team has its own official cheer squad led by a cheer master, but the most electrifying cheers come from the fans themselves as they come together in synchronized chants, songs, and dances. You cannot help but be entertained and mesmerized at the same time.
Another awesome aspect of attending a KBO game is the incredible array of food options available. Within Jamsil Stadium itself, there are vendors like Mr. Pizza, fried chicken joints, and even a GS25 convenience store. However, the options extend beyond the stadium walls with street vendors setting up shop near the stadium. Perhaps the biggest perk, though, is that fans are permitted to bring in outside food of their own. We also enthusiastically embraced this luxury by bringing in some Pao Pao dumplings which we purchased near the stadium. Additionally, at the stadium, we got the One-Shot Chicken, which is a beer plus a tray of fried chicken and fries. You can find the vendor at the base of the stadium.
If traveling by subway, get off at Sports Complex Station and exit through gates 6 or 7, then follow the crowd of fans donning jerseys. They'll be hard to miss. If you plan on attending, an evening game is highly recommended due to Korea's sweltering daytime heat during warmer months. We, unfortunately, only had time for an afternoon game, and the sun was unbearable (luckily I had a fan). Lastly, Jamsil Stadium is near other popular attractions in Seoul such as Starfield Library, Lotte World Tower, and Olympic Park, so it may be worthwhile to plan a full day of activities around a game in the area.