Korean American bakery owner Aeja Kwon (75) is known among Pasadena locals as the “Dodgers Um-ma” — Korean for “mom” — or simply the “Dodgers Mom.”
On October 27, when the LA Dodgers faced the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the World Series, her shop Dots Cafe & Bakery in Pasadena turned completely blue, filled with balloons in the Dodgers’ team color.
That day, Kwon and her second daughter Hyojung (47) delivered 400 cupcakes to the Dodgers organization before returning to the bakery.
Dots Cafe & Bakery has become a popular spot for Dodgers fans.
“People come in and call me ‘Mom’ in broken Korean,” Kwon said. “Whenever there’s a Dodgers game, fans pack this place.”
The bakery’s reputation is tied to the story of Kwon’s late husband. After immigrating to the United States 40 years ago, the couple ran a dry cleaning shop while raising two daughters.
“My husband was a longtime fan of pitcher Chan Ho Park. I didn’t know much about baseball then, but cheering alongside him turned me into a Dodgers fan.”
In 2005, Kwon flew to Korea after receiving news that her father was gravely ill, leaving the business with her husband. It was the last time she saw her father. She returned to the U.S. from the funeral only to learn that her husband had passed away from a heart attack.
“In just one week, I lost two family members. It was so painful that I couldn’t even talk about cremation. I kept working at the dry cleaners, just trying to endure.”
A turning point came when daughter Hyojung proposed a new business. She had been working for the Dodgers event team and brought cupcakes to coworkers — the reaction was overwhelming. She quit her job, taught herself baking at home, and opened the shop in 2006.
Since then, the mother-daughter duo has supported the team passionately, honoring the memory of the late husband. Their posts cheering for the Dodgers on Instagram (@dotscafe) also drew attention.
“Through my daughter’s introduction, we began delivering cupcakes for players’ birthdays and team events. Now we get orders for hundreds at a time. Today we delivered cupcakes for players’ families during the World Series.”
On game days, Kwon wears a glittery Dodgers uniform that Hyojung gifted to her as a Halloween costume 20 years ago. It stands out so much that fans often recognize her. The Dodgers organization has also invited the family as VIPs.
“Whenever Mom steps into the stadium, every wrinkle disappears and she turns into a teenage girl,” Hyojung said. “She cheers wildly when they win and cries when they lose.”
Recently, fans have begun visiting the shop after seeing the mother-daughter duo’s passion on social media. Many take photos with Kwon, calling her “Mom.”
Kwon says she wants to continue supporting the Dodgers as long as she runs the bakery. The team is more than a hobby — it gives her strength. Although her husband is gone, cheering for the Dodgers fills that empty space.
“There are painful times in life, but I forget everything when I’m at the stadium. I don’t know how I would’ve overcome those difficult years without the Dodgers. Even after the World Series ends, I’ll keep living for the joy of waiting for the next game.”
BY YOONSEO SONG [song.yoonseo@koreadaily.com]
