Overview

• Women make up 55% of the audience at professional sporting events in South Korea, a stark contrast to the global trend where men usually dominate sports fandom.
• The high rate of female sports fandom in South Korea is attributed to the influence of K-pop fan culture and the perception of safety at sports venues.
• Female fans are drawn to sports not only because of the athletes' celebrity status but also due to the engaging and interactive fan culture.
• Despite the rise of women as sports fans, there is a lack of gender parity on courts, fields, or in coaching rooms, partly due to the absence of anti-discrimination laws.
• The unique blend of cultural influences and safety perceptions shaping South Korean sports fandom offers insights into cultivating a more inclusive and diverse sports culture globally.