Sponsoring a Friendly Match for the 30th Anniversary
Nationwide Sports Marketing Project
Opportunity for 30,000 People to Attend
"An Event Like Welcomed Rain in Ordinary Life"
Chairman Yoon Hong-geun: "May BBQ Bring More Happiness to Our Customers"
On July 31, at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a friendly match was held between Spain's prestigious football club FC Barcelona and FC Seoul. From four hours before kickoff, the plaza leading to the stadium and the shopping mall inside were bustling with young people and families wearing Barcelona jerseys. Despite the hot and humid weather, with a perceived temperature of 32 degrees Celsius, spectators participating in various events organized by the hosts and partner companies looked excited.
Before the friendly match between FC Barcelona and FC Seoul held at Seoul World Cup Stadium to commemorate the 30th anniversary of BBQ, players and officials from both teams are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Olive Creative
This match was held as part of a nationwide sports marketing project to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Genesis BBQ Group, which operates the chicken franchise BBQ. Previously, BBQ ran a promotion from June 11 to July 27 for 47 days, recruiting about 30,000 spectators. As a result, half of the 64,000 seats at Seoul World Cup Stadium were filled with the company's customers and spectators. Among them were more than 200 overseas family members, business partners, and local customers from 57 countries.
It was the first time in 15 years since 2010 that world-class club FC Barcelona visited Korea, and BBQ customers and franchise owners were thrilled to watch the match in person. A franchise owner who runs a BBQ store in Incheon said, "Thanks to the 30th anniversary event, I was able to come here, and my wife and son are really happy," adding, "For self-employed people who go through the same routine every day, this event was like a welcome rain, providing a refreshing change."
A man in his 50s who came from Pangyo with his son received a first-class ticket to the match through the BBQ Weekly Top 20 event. He said, "My high school son is a huge football fan, so I applied for the event when I heard that the top European club was coming to Korea. My son is truly happy."
Yoon Honggeun, Chairman of Genesis BBQ Group, is encouraging players from both teams ahead of the friendly match between FC Barcelona and FC Seoul held at Seoul World Cup Stadium to celebrate the 30th anniversary of BBQ's founding. Photo by Olive Creative
BBQ Chairman Yoon Hong-geun wore a Barcelona jersey with the number 30 to commemorate the company's 30th anniversary and busily welcomed key family members and partners before the match began. On the field, he shook hands with players from both teams, patted them on the shoulder, and encouraged them to play well. He also participated in the ceremonial kickoff, expressing his gratitude to the spectators. Chairman Yoon stated, "Our group's dream is to become the world's largest and best franchise group, the number one company in the world, so that people everywhere can eat well and live well," and added, "It is our path for BBQ to become the future and the dream of Korea." He continued, "I hope that BBQ will make our customers even happier and bring more joy," and asked, "I hope that all 50 million people in Korea will continue to love BBQ even more in the future."
Barcelona fielded top league players such as Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal as starters and launched an aggressive attack from the beginning. In the 8th minute of the first half, Lewandowski scored the opening goal, and six minutes later, Yamal dribbled past two Seoul defenders and scored another goal with a left-footed shot inside the penalty box, making it 2-0.
Barcelona players are celebrating after scoring in the friendly match between FC Barcelona and FC Seoul held at Seoul World Cup Stadium to commemorate BBQ's 30th anniversary. Photo by Olive Creative
Seoul, led by Jesse Lingard, formerly of Manchester United and the England national team, did not back down easily. In the 25th minute of the first half, defender Kim Jin-su intercepted the ball on the left side of the attacking area and passed it into the box, where Cho Young-wook scored with a left-footed non-stop shot. In first-half stoppage time, defender Yazan joined the attack and scored the equalizer.
However, Barcelona, who achieved a treble last season by winning La Liga, Copa del Rey (King's Cup), and Supercopa de Espana (Super Cup), showed overwhelming firepower. Just before the end of the first half, Yamal dribbled past a Seoul defender and scored to extend the lead. In the 9th minute of the second half, Andreas Christensen scored the team's fourth goal. In the 28th and 31st minutes of the second half, substitutes Ferran Torres and Gavi scored consecutive goals, widening the gap to four goals. In the 40th minute of the second half, Seoul's Jung Han-min capitalized on a counterattack to score, but just before the end of the match, Torres added another goal, and Barcelona won 7-3.
At the friendly match between FC Barcelona and FC Seoul held at Seoul World Cup Stadium to celebrate BBQ's 30th anniversary, Barcelona forward Ramin Yamal is attempting a shot past a Seoul defender. Photo by Olive Creative
Meanwhile, a crowd of about 62,000, including Barcelona and Seoul supporters, performed a large card section display reading "I♡BBQ" at the stadium. During halftime, a "Chicken Pension" on-site lottery was held for all spectators to commemorate the 30th anniversary, providing a total of 10 winners with the benefit of enjoying BBQ chicken for free for an extended period.
A BBQ official said, "We hope that through this match, we can share the excitement created by K-food and sports with the world."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
