Cheering Song Production, Photo Book Publication, and Other 'Unique'... Renowned Camaraderie
Kim Hyoju Also Shows Deep Affection with Member Rounds and Surprise Wedding Visits
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] In April 2012, at the Lotte Skyhill Jeju CC in Seogwipo, Jeju, the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Lotte Mart was a stage for amateur players who were then high school sophomores. This player, boasting a driver distance close to 270 yards and precise iron shots, maintained the lead wire-to-wire throughout all four rounds to achieve victory. The gap from the second place was a staggering 9 strokes. Moon Hyunhee, who played alongside at the time, said after the match, "As a professional, it was embarrassing, but I simply couldn't keep up," expressing astonishment.
Now, more than ten years later, this player, ranked 9th in the world, continues to represent Korea as one of the top players on the world's best stage, the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. This is Kim Hyoju (27). This year, Kim Hyoju increased her total LPGA wins to five by winning the LPGA Lotte Championship held last April.
Kim Hyoju often mentions her fan club, 'Shooting Star,' as a pillar of her consistent performance. 'Shooting Star' is known for having an especially close bond with the player among women's golf fan clubs.
Kim Hyoju's Reliable Support
Kim Hyo-joo (center, white hat) participated in the LPGA Tour 'BMW Ladies Championship' held in Wonju, Gangwon Province in October, during which Shooting Star prepared an event celebrating her 10th anniversary since turning professional. [Image source: Shooting Star]
Shooting Star was launched on April 15, 2012, the very day Kim Hyoju won on the KLPGA Tour as an amateur.
The fan club's name was chosen through member submissions. 'Shooting Star' means a meteor, reflecting the members' wish for Kim Hyoju to shine intensely like a meteor on the world stage. It also implies a star who delivers the best shots.
As of November 2022, Shooting Star has nearly 6,500 members. The membership is diverse. While fans in their 40s and 50s form the core, members from teenagers to those in their 70s of various ages and genders actively participate in every event. According to fan club officials, dozens of members attend each event, and it is common for over 100 members to participate.
Members hold various regular events such as ▲year-end parties ▲group rounds ▲screen golf tournaments ▲Kim Hyoju birthday parties ▲debut anniversary celebrations ▲auctions of Kim Hyoju's cherished items. Although there were no in-person events for the past three years due to COVID-19, in-person events resumed this year. In July, they held Kim Hyoju's birthday party for the first time in three years. Although the player could not attend in person, she communicated with fans for about an hour via an internet live broadcast.
When Kim Hyoju participated in the 'BMW Ladies Championship,' a regular LPGA Tour event held in Wonju, Gangwon Province, in October, a 10th anniversary event celebrating her professional debut was also held with both the player and fans.
'Shooting Star's' Love for Kim Hyoju
Shooting Star's photo book of Kim Hyo-joo, published once a year over four years starting from 2019. [Image source=Shooting Star]
Shooting Star prides itself on its exceptional love for Kim Hyoju. Representative examples include a dedicated cheer song and the publication of a photo book.
On July 14, 2018, Kim Hyoju's birthday, Shooting Star released a cheer song titled 'Towards the Stars.' The song was recorded in both Korean and English versions, with the English version introduced through the LPGA. This cheer song was created through the collective effort of Shooting Star members. Fan club members wrote the lyrics and composed the music, and sisters Kim Haein and Kim Dain, who are also members, recorded the song themselves.
The photo book was published once a year over four years starting in 2019, symbolizing consistent support throughout the four rounds of each tournament. It compiled photos taken directly by fan club members, photos by famous photographers, and Kim Hyoju's personal collection.
Fans also opened a mini convenience store for Kim Hyoju and her fellow players. At the 2019 Park Inbee Invitational held at Blue One Dunes CC in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, a mini convenience store was set up at Kim Hyoju's professional lodging. This was a thoughtful gesture to allow all players participating in the tournament to enjoy the convenience store. Since then, Kim Hyoju's Shooting Star has become a source of envy among fellow players.
Kim Hyoju's Love for Shooting Star
At the 2019 year-end party 'Kim Hyoju Collection Auction,' Kim Hyoju (left) and a fan (right) participated. All proceeds from the items provided by Kim Hyoju were donated to underprivileged neighbors. [Image source=Shooting Star]
Kim Hyoju is also known for taking great care of her fan club. She frequently communicates with the fan club manager to share schedule changes and event-related information. She even shares sensitive details such as her condition before and after matches, showcasing a strong bond with her fans.
She actively communicates with general fan club members as well. In several interviews, Kim Hyoju has revealed that she visits the fan club cafe daily and reads all posts without fail. When important matters arise, she personally posts messages in the cafe to interact with fans.
When participating in domestic tournaments, it is a familiar sight for fans to see Kim Hyoju treating those who come to the venue during the first and second rounds to meals. In 2017, she personally attended a fan club regular round and joined fans for the after-party. She even made a surprise appearance as a guest at the wedding of a couple among fan club members. Fan club manager Jeong Jiyeon (45) said, "The player's visit moved both families so much that they actively engaged in fan club activities afterward."
Every year during the year-end party season, Shooting Star holds auctions and bazaars of Kim Hyoju's collected items, donating the proceeds to underprivileged neighbors. After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, this year's event was held again, with Kim Hyoju donating items from her collection. The 10 million won raised at this event is scheduled to be donated to an abandoned dog shelter.
'Family-like Atmosphere' is the Top Priority
Shooting Star aims to be a close-knit fan club like a family. The photo shows Kim Hyo-joo making a surprise visit to the fan club's regular rounding event in 2017, enjoying an after-party with fans. [Image source=Shooting Star]
Shooting Star prioritizes the bond between the player, fans, and members over expanding the fan club's size.
Manager Jeong said, "We met because we liked Kim Hyoju, but it became like meeting another family, where we take care of each other and ask about each other's well-being. Becoming such a fan club is the priority," adding, "The support that happens within the tightly-knit cafe will be an even greater strength for the player."
Manager Jeong especially emphasized, "Cheering is important, but more than that, we stress gallery manners." This is to prevent some members from disturbing other players' play.
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