The Dodgers made headlines in March 2024 before the MLB season began.
Members of the team watched in awe on March 17, 2024, when South Korean actress Jeon Jong-seo threw out the first pitch before the start of the Dodgers’ Seoul Series game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome.
The 29-year-old sported a Dodgers jersey on the mound as those in the dugout — including first baseman Freddie Freeman and pitcher Tyler Glasnow — looked on, according to now-viral footage that circulated online.
Jeon Jong-Seo throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the 2024 Seoul Series game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kiwoom Heroes on March 17, 2024. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Jeon jeong seo, first ceremonial pitch.Boys are so happy😂😂みんなデレデレしてかわいい💙 pic.twitter.com/rUVOTsHXar— Ⓕⓡⓐⓝⓒⓔⓢⓒⓐ★ (@DecoOhtani117) March 17, 2024
Jeon Jong-Seo posts a video on her way to the Dodgers game. Jeon Jong-Seo/Instagram
Jong-seo threw out the first pitch before the start of the Dodgers’ Seoul Series on March 17. Jeon Jong-Seo/Instagram
Here’s what to know about Jong-seo.
‘Burning’ breakout
Jeon Jong-seo in “Burning”, 2018. Now Films
Jong-seo earned much acclaim for her first film, “Burning,” which was released in 2018.
In a December 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “Burning” director Lee Chang-dong spoke about working with the newcomer.
“She’s actually a new actor, and this was her first audition. When I saw her, she seemed to have this very childlike sense of innocence, but at the same time, she carried this sense of duality — as if something much bigger was on the other side of that innocence,” he said of Jong-seo, who played Shin Hae-mi in the thriller.
Jong-seo was nominated for Best New Actress at The Seoul Awards and Best Newcomer at the Asian Film Awards.
The Hollywood Reporter Critics also recognized her as one of the 15 International Breakout Talents of 2018.
Jeon Jong-Seo in a post to promote her movie “Ballerina” in 2023. Jeon Jong-Seo/Instagram
Jeon Jong-Seo posted an image in January with the caption, “Am i crazy or are those really long feet?”. Jeon Jong-Seo/Instagram
Rising star
Jeon Jong-seo in “Ballerina”, 2023. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Jong-seo continued to tackle new projects after “Burning,” notably the 2020 Netflix film “The Call,” in which she earned critical praise.
She received the Best Actress award for “The Call” in 2021 at the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Buil Film Awards. She also received the same nod at the 2022 Director’s Cut Awards.
Jong-seo most recently starred in the 2023 Netflix film “Ballerina” and the 2024 television series “Wedding Impossible.”
Jeon Jong-seo attends Hublot Korea’s “THE ART OF FUSION” event at Alver Geumho in Seongdong-gu on March 08, 2024. ImaZins via Getty Images
Executive producer Jun-dong Lee, actor Steven Yeun, actress Jong-seo Jeon, actor Ah-in Yoo and director Chang-dong Lee attend the screening of “Burning” during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 16, 2018 in Cannes, France. Getty Images
Dodgers moment
Jeon Jong-Seo throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the 2024 Seoul Series game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kiwoom Heroes on March 17, 2024. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Jong-seo’s appearance at a Dodgers’ exhibition game in March 2024 sent the internet into a tailspin, with X user @DecoOhtani17 racking up more than 5 million views on the social media platform after posting the moment on their page.
The Dodgers went on to defeat the Kiwoom Heroes, 14-3.
Los Angeles opened its season on March 20, 2024, in Seoul, Korea, with a 5-2 win against the Padres.
Dodgers players look on during a Seoul Series game in March 2024. @decoohtani17/X
Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani made his regular-season debut for the Dodgers after signing a massive 10-year, $700 million contract with the club in December 2023.
He spent the past six seasons with the Angels.