Wolves introduce ticket package for Korean fans

Wolves began selling a ticket package targeting Korean fans ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Arsenal, when Hwang Hee-chan made his first start since February.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Hwang Hee-chan celebrates after scoring during a Premier League match against Burnley at the Molineux in Wolverhampton, England on Dec. 5, 2023. [AFP/YONHAP]

WOLVERHAMPTON, England — However fickle the game of football might be, attending a match can often look the same.

In the Premier League and elsewhere, including Korea's K League, match-goers can count on groups of dedicated, strong-armed fans to wave about ostentatious flags, blocking views of the pitch but adding to the matchday atmosphere in storied stadiums. Season ticket-holders, who book a specific seat in their club's stadium for the entirety of a season, also know whom to expect as their neighbors.

On Saturday, that became true for some Korean fans who watched Wolves play at home.

Thousands of Korean fans have flocked to the Molineux in Wolverhampton, England since Hwang Hee-chan signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2021, braving English ticketing websites and questionable unauthorized resellers for a chance to see the Bull in action in the Premier League.

As of Saturday’s game against Arsenal, when Hwang made his first start for the club since February, that process became a lot easier. Wolves launched a special ticketing package for Korean fans offering a way to purchase tickets in Korean — and seats in a special section to make a trip to Molineux worthwhile for traveling fans.

The Korean ticket package, available for purchase through the official Wolves app, includes a ticket to the game, entrance to the Wolves museum and a gift card for the shop. Korean fans are sat together in the stands and the purchase of the ticket also includes international membership to the club.

"If I see Korean fans in Wolverhampton it makes me really proud and it’s an honor," Hwang said in English in comments published on the Wolves website last week. "I want to keep doing well for them and for our local fans.”

A small group of Korean fans used the promotion, which has not yet been advertised but is available on a newly-launched Korean-language app, on Saturday.

Although the Korean fans did get to see Hwang play 50 minutes for the first time since February, when he was sidelined with an injury, Wolves went on to lose 2-0 to Arsenal following goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard.

Wolves play two more Premier League games this week, against Bournemouth on Wednesday and Luton Town on Saturday. Both games will be at home at the Molineux.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]