Famous chants, explained

Chants are the heart of Korean sports cheering. We don't print lyrics here — they belong to the teams and songwriters — but this guide explains what the chants are, what the common words mean and how to join in.

Player chants

Most regular batters in the KBO have their own cheer song (응원가, eungwonga). It is usually short, repeats the player's name and is set to a catchy tune. Fans sing it each time he comes to bat, so after an inning or two you will start to recognise it. The songs of popular players become well known across the league.

Team songs

Each club also has songs for the whole team. They are sung at big moments — at the start of the game, in the late innings or after a win — and long-time fans know every word. Some clubs have traditions that go back many seasons.

Words you will hear

You don't need to know the lyrics to join in. A few words come up again and again:

최강 (choegang) — “the strongest”, often shouted together with the team's name.
승리 (seungni) — “victory”.
안타 (anta) — “a hit”; fans call for one when their batter is up.
홈런 (homeron) — “home run”.
Player names — most chants are built around the batter's name, so listen for it.

How to join in

Watch the cheer leader on the stage, who starts each chant and shows the moves.
Some stadiums show the words of the current song on the big screen.
Clap or beat your thunder sticks to the rhythm — that alone makes you part of the crowd.
Teams often share their official cheer songs online, so you can listen before the game.

Respect

Chants are for cheering your own team. Join in on your team's side, and don't use them to mock players or other fans.