A Korean American harmonica group that won over LA Kings fans has captured national attention after performing the U.S. national anthem at a National Hockey League (NHL) game, one of the four major sports leagues in the U.S.
On March 23, the harmonica ensemble from the LA Korean Town Senior & Community Center (Chair Shin Young-Shin) performed at Crypto.com Arena before 18,145 fans, playing the “Star-Spangled Banner” as part of the LA Kings’ K-Town Night, an event celebrating Korean culture and the Korean American community. Wearing traditional hanbok, the 13-member group delivered a moving performance that began with harmonica melodies and soon turned into a powerful singalong as fans rose to their feet.
The moment was broadcast live and shown on the arena’s massive screen, quickly spreading across social media and news outlets. The performance made the group national stars overnight. The LA Kings also invited a samulnori (traditional Korean percussion) team from the same center to perform at the event.
Korean American Harmonica Group Reflects on National Spotlight
Members of the harmonica group described the experience as unforgettable. Lee Ye-Ja (80) said, “I never imagined receiving this much attention in my lifetime. People told me they saw me on TV, and some even recognized me at church or on the street.”
She added, “I didn’t expect much reaction, but seeing everyone rise and sing along because of our performance was truly surprising.”
Park Jeung-Gyu (80), the only male member of the group during their NHL debut, said, “We made mistakes during rehearsals, but we pulled it off perfectly on stage. My friends and family called after seeing the broadcast. It was a proud moment.”
Korean American Harmonica Group Extends Fame With LA Kings Playoff Performances
The group’s popularity grew beyond their initial appearance. They returned for the LA Kings playoff games against the Edmonton Oilers on April 21 and April 23, performing once again. The Kings won both games, prompting fans to joke that the harmonica group had become the team’s “lucky charm.”
Major media outlets including the Associated Press, Washington Post, and ESPN spotlighted their remarkable journey.
Jung Yang-Ja (74), who performed at the playoff games, described the experience as “beyond words,” recalling how dozens of cameras filmed them and fans eagerly asked for autographs. “The team even sent a limousine to pick us up—it really felt like we had become stars,” she said.
She added that the group’s growing fame became clear when a white fan from Iowa asked for autographs, and a Canadian reporter requested an interview.
The harmonica group is now preparing for their next major performance at a Mother’s Day concert.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
