K-Pop started in South Korea but has transformed into a global juggernaut.
As we outlined in our Best K-Pop Albums of 2026 list, this has been the biggest sales year in K-Pop history.
K-Pop fans are as dedicated as any Swiftie, or member of Beyonce’s Beyhive, and they want to know all the personal details about their favorite stars.They also follow their favorite idols as fervently as sports fanatics obsess over their favorite teams.
But some of these K-Pop idols are among those obsessive sports fans who follow teams in the NBA, EPL, and KBO.
These are K-Pop Idols’ Favorite Sports Teams, From BTS’ Suga to Stray Kids’ Seungmin.
Seungmin (Stray Kids): Lotte Giants, NY Yankees, LA Dodgers, SF Giants
If anyone on this list was to actually play a professional sport, it would likely be Seungmin, who once had dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. While Stray Kids was in the US last year, Seungmin attended a Yankees game, wearing a Max Fried jersey.
In the 2024 MLB Seoul Series, Seungmin threw out the first pitch. Seungmin’s strike drew plenty of praise for the pitch’s accuracy and velocity.
Haseul (ARTMS): KIA Tigers
Haseul is a big fan of the KBO’s KIA Tigers.
In July 2024, she went to a Tigers game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field and performed the National Anthem. She also threw out the first pitch.
The Tigers won the game, and Haseul was dubbed the Tigers’ “victory fairy.”
Haseul wore a No. 12 jersey during one appearance at the stadium in order to “manifest” the Tigers’ 12th Korean Series Championship win - which they did capture in 2024.
Chio Hyun-suk (TREASURE): FC Seoul, Real Madrid
Hyunsuk is a massive soccer fan as he has dozens of futbol jerseys in his wardrobe. FC Seoul is his favorite club that competes in the K League 1.
FC Seoul has showered Hyunsuk with love in recent years, and the club had Hyunsuk do the team’s ceremonial kick off.
He is also a huge Real Madrid fan.
Kai (EXO): Chelsea FC
Kai knows ball. The EXO star is a lifelong Chelsea FC fan and knows the club’s history inside and out.
There is an entertaining YouTube video in which Kai picks Chelsea FC’s Best 11 lineup. Kai sang the praises of former Chelsea goaltender Petr Cech, in particular.
“He’s such a legend,” Kai said of Cech. “Not to mention he wanted to remain in London, and I understand that sentiment so well.”
Woonhak (BOYNEXTDOOR): Lotte Giants, Real Madrid
There are several videos of Woonhak that have made the social media rounds of him expressing his love for the Lotte Giants, a member of the KBO League. The Lotte Giants are based in Busan.
“When I hit rock bottom, the impact is big,” Woonhak said in one YouTube video. “That’s why I really started liking [baseball] again. I love it. So baseball is something I can watch, and spend my emotions on.”
Minho (SHINee): Arsenal FC
No one was more excited that Minho this past spring when Arsenal won its first Premier League title in 22 years.
“Back when I was transitioning from elementary to middle school, I fell for the undefeated Arsenal team,” Minho said, according to X user @AFlamer5299 - Minho superfan. “I have continued to cheer with the mindset that someday our team will win again, and that this choice will not be wrong.”
Hong Eun-chae (Le SSerafim): Doosan Bears
The KBO’s Doosan Bears have their own “victory fairy,” and it’s Hong Eunchae of Le SSerafim.
The Bears have an unofficial record of 4-0 when Eunchae attends.
Her best work as a Bears fan came recently as she attended a Bears game this past August.
After dancing to “Boompala,” the Bears’ Ahn Jae-seok crushed a 2-run home run and Doosan wound up winning.
Suga Min Yoongi (BTS): Golden State Warriors, Las Vegas Athletics
Suga was named an NBA ambassador in 2023. While he used to profess his love for the Portland Trail Blazers, he has become a Golden State Warriors fan in recent years.
Suga attended Warriors practice in 2022, and he and Steph Curry have exchanged pleasantries on social media.
Suga posted a picture of himself holding a custom Golden State Warriors jersey, to which Curry replied, “Love the jersey, SUGA!!”
DK (SEVENTEEN): Doosan Bears, LA Dodgers
DK could give Seungmin a run for his money as DK displayed tremendous pitching form when throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the Doosan Bears. MLB’s official X account took notice, posting a picture of the SEVENTEEN star wearing a Shohei Ohtani jersey. It had the caption, “Who wants to see him throw out a first pitch at a MLB game?”
Taehyun (TXT): AC Milan and Real Madrid
Taehyun was asked who his favorite soccer player was on X, and Taehyun - a huge Real Madrid fan - replied, “I really respect Modric, who has been working hard till now … because he’s been there since I first started supporting them.”
