Elderly Koreatown residents master harmonica tunes, captivating NHL playoff crowds
Astonishing Headway at the Koreatown Senior Center
After a grueling year of dedicated practice, only the crème de la crème made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs, and surprisingly, it wasn't the typical burly defensemen or record-breaking goal scorers that filled the ranks. Instead, a group of seasoned seniors formed a tight-knit circle within the top 14 players.
While Hollywood may be the spotlight for Los Angeles, more than 50 seniors flock to the Koreatown Senior and Community Center every week to learn the harmonica, located a mere 16 km west of the Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Kings. The program, now seven years old, has seen its members perform at Lunar New Year festivals, Mother's Day celebrations, and even city council sessions. This year, they expanded their list to include hockey games.
During the first playoff round against the Edmonton Oilers, the harmonica players made their debut, and the internet couldn't get enough! They quickly became a form of good luck charm, as the Kings secured a win in every game that began with one of their lively performances.
Harmonica Magic
The Koreatown Senior and Community Center opened its doors in 2013, offering a valued resource for Korean seniors in Los Angeles, home to the largest Korean population in the country. Residents even have volunteers translate their mail at the center. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the center assisted seniors in signing up for food distribution programs. It offers a total of 47 classes, with around 1,500 regular attendees, according to Gloria Y. Kim, the center's public relations manager.
80-year-old Donna Lee found her way to the center in 2023, seeking traditional Korean dance classes to get some exercise. Surprisingly, she also decided to try her hand at the harmonica class. Class members learn to play the national anthems of both the United States and South Korea, as well as traditional Korean folk songs.
Donna quickly took a liking to the harmonica class and practiced diligently every day. This year, she felt so confident in her skills that public performances no longer caused her anxiety, winning her a spot among the 14 selected members for public events.
"The harmonica is a simple yet joyful instrument," Donna said, "We practice a lot."
The Los Angeles Kings approached the center in January while planning their K-Town Night, which took place on March 23. They asked the harmonica group to perform the national anthem, which they did before a victory of 7-2 against the Boston Bruins. With the success of the first performance, the team invited the group back for their playoff opener against the Edmonton Oilers.
Wearing traditional Korean costumes called hanbok, the harmonica players delivered another captivating rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Fans in the stadium sang along, and the performance went viral, with views in the millions. The Kings won the first game of the series, 6-5.
Donna, a hockey novice up until this year, enjoyed the electric atmosphere of the game. "Many people sing together," she said, switching between English and an interpreter. "We don't know about hockey, but when we saw that the L.A. Kings were going to win, we got excited, then we were just cheering."
The team invited the group back for the second game, where they wore Kings' jerseys and were met with thunderous applause. Three periods later, the Kings secured another victory, 6-2.
The harmonica players' performances seem to have a talismanic quality, as the Kings remain undefeated (19-9) in the three games where the group has performed. In response, a retirement home in Alberta posted a video on TikTok showing a rival group playing the Canadian national anthem with kazoos, causing the team to lose their first game of the series, 7-4.
With the series currently tied at 2-2, the Los Angeles Kings return home on Tuesday, hoping for another harmonica serenade to help regain the lead. (c) 2025, The Washington Post
Bonus Info: The Los Angeles Kings' harmonica group gained worldwide attention, with their performances becoming a rallying symbol for the team. With the stakes high during the playoffs, it's no surprise that their fans are eager to pack their harmonicas for each game!
- The harmonica group, consisting of seniors from the Koreatown Senior and Community Center, has been performing at NHL games, such as the one for the Los Angeles Kings.
- The performance of the harmonica group in their traditional Korean costumes, called hanbok, before a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers became viral, gaining millions of views.
- The Los Angeles Kings' hockey games seem to be influenced by the harmonica performances of the senior group, as they have remained undefeated (19-9) in the three games where the group has performed.
- The unexpected success and talent of the Koreatown Senior and Community Center's harmonica group have made them a formidable good luck charm for the Los Angeles Kings during their NHL playoff games.
