"Not Jealous of Idols"... Park Seong-hyun Fan Club 'Namdalla'

Fans' Warm Support on Domestic Stage After One Year
LPGA Early Morning Comment Live Broadcast... Passionate Fans Also Attend Overseas
"Healthy Fandom Culture Will Contribute to Popularizing Golf"

Park Sung-hyun is holing out on the 1st hole at the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Hite Jinro Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Seohee Lee] At the HiteJinro Championship of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour held earlier this month, there was a player who received more attention than the winner Park Minji (24). It was Park Sung-hyun (29), who appeared on the domestic stage after a year.

Throughout the four days of the tournament, Park Sung-hyun attracted crowds like clouds, enjoying popularity comparable to that of an idol. Thanks to the 'Park Sung-hyun effect,' nearly 40,000 spectators flocked to the Blue Heron Country Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, where the HiteJinro Championship was held over the four days.

Park Sung-hyun is known as a player with a solid ‘fandom’ among domestic golf players. The official fan club ‘Namdalla’ has a combined membership of 20,000, with 9,980 members on the Naver cafe and 8,300 on the Daum cafe. This is the largest scale among Korean female golf players. After the tournament ended, about 100 new members joined over three days. Experts predict that such fandom will become a unique golf culture exclusive to Korea.

“Namdalla Fighting!” in the UK, a Hot Topic Among Overseas Galleries

Last August, members of 'Namdalla' visited Scotland, UK, to support Park Sung-hyun, who participated in the LPGA Tour AIG Women's Open. Photo by Manager Jung Mi-sook

Park Sung-hyun moved her main stage to the LPGA in 2017, sweeping awards such as Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Money Leader that year along with a victory. Afterward, a long slump began. Starting with an unfortunate shoulder injury in 2020, she failed to place in the top 10 in any tournament she entered, and her world ranking, once number one, dropped outside the top 100.

Even during the severe slump, fans’ support remained passionate. In August this year, six ‘Namdalla’ members flew all the way to Scotland, UK, to cheer for Park Sung-hyun, who was participating in the LPGA Tour AIG Women’s Open. Although Park Sung-hyun finished tied for 28th and performed poorly, fans enjoyed the event enthusiastically, holding blue T-shirts and hats with Park Sung-hyun’s name and cheering slogans.

The fan culture, comparable to that of idols, is regarded as a ‘spectacle’ even among overseas galleries. Among these, the chant “Namdalla Fighting!” led by fans at the first hole tee shot point has become a culture symbolizing ‘Namdalla.’ According to ‘Namdalla’ members, on days when the chant is accidentally skipped, reporters covering the event approach first to ask why the chant was not shouted.

Various goods also attract the attention of other galleries visiting the golf course. Stickers, cheering towels, placards, and T-shirts made in the likeness of Park Sung-hyun’s face make it easy to identify ‘Namdalla’ members from afar. They stick self-produced stickers on various parts of their T-shirts and hats while watching the game. Recently, about 850 fan club members participated in a joint purchase event for cheering towels held on the cafe.

Jung Misook, the official manager of the ‘Namdalla’ fan club, said, “When we go abroad, overseas galleries find the ‘Namdalla’ culture quite interesting. Many ask to take pictures together or inquire about various things.”

In Korea, ‘Commentary Chat’ Goes Until 3 a.m... Some Start Golf Through Fandom

The coffee truck prepared by 'Namdalla' members on the day before the opening of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour HiteJinro Championship. Photo by Manager Jeong Mi-sook

At the same time, a heated ‘commentary chat’ unfolds in Korea. Fans watch the leaderboard in real time and share Park Sung-hyun’s scores with members because she rarely appears on the LPGA broadcast cameras due to not ranking in the top positions. Although it is past 3 a.m. Korean time, over 50,000 comments are posted in the cafe’s threads every time a tournament is held.

Recently, a coffee truck, something usually seen on celebrity filming sites, appeared at the golf course and became a hot topic. On the day before the opening of the HiteJinro Championship, ‘Namdalla’ members pooled their operating funds to prepare 500 servings of coffee and snacks to cheer for Park Sung-hyun. KLPGA players preparing for the tournament and youth players visiting the golf course gathered at the Blue Heron clubhouse to enjoy the snacks together. Fueled by the support, Park Sung-hyun finished tied for 3rd, achieving her best result in 3 years and 2 months by placing in the top 10.

Many also start golf through fan club activities. Some begin studying golf to support Park Sung-hyun, or develop a serious interest in golf after participating in regular cheering rounds organized by the fan club.

In fact, until before COVID-19, ‘Namdalla’ members regularly went on cheering rounds to build camaraderie. Each round involved about 50 to 100 members. At a recent fan club founding day and Park Sung-hyun’s birthday round, about 100 people gathered to celebrate the occasion. According to the cafe manager, even members who had never hit a golf ball naturally develop an interest in golf through these gatherings.

Recently, the composition of fan club members, which was mainly women in their 40s and 50s, has been changing. The influx of men in their 20s has increased significantly. Manager Jung said, “I was surprised that many men in their 20s came to the recent cafe founding day and player’s birthday round. I feel anew that the age and gender of fans are gradually diversifying.”

“Creating a Healthy Fandom Culture While Observing Etiquette Is Our Task”

Last September, members of 'Namdalla' went out for a birthday celebration round. Photo by Manager Jeong Misook

As fandom grows, concerns also arise. Recently, as controversies over ‘gallery bad manners’ have surfaced, more people view golf fandom culture negatively. In fact, in 2019, player Kim Bi-o received a severe penalty after making a finger gesture in frustration at the sound of a gallery’s phone shutter just before a shot during the final round of the DGB Financial Group Volvik Daegu-Gyeongbuk Open.

Therefore, a mature fan club culture is also a concern for ‘Namdalla.’ They take special care not to violate gallery etiquette by designating dedicated photography staff and establishing internal rules. They repeatedly notify cafe members one week, three days, one day before, and on the day of the tournament about precautions such as not shouting cheering slogans just before shots and waiting for players to move before moving between holes.

Experts say that while views on golf fandom vary, it is clear that the fandom culture of golf players provides new attractions within golf courses and contributes to popularizing golf.

Kim Jaegun, former KPGA commissioner, said, “Galleries who come to the course to cheer for players have emerged as leaders of a new golf culture. Given the nature of golf played in a quiet atmosphere, there may be short-term noise, but active fan culture will surely contribute greatly to popularizing golf, which was once considered a niche sport.”