Meet South Korean actress Jeon Jong-seo, who became the Dodgers’ first-pitch sensation
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
Here’s what to know about Jong-seo.
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‘Burning’ breakout
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.
Actress Jeon Jong-seo attends Hublot Korea’s “THE ART OF FUSION” event on March 8, 2024.ImaZins via Getty Images
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.
Rising star
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.”
Dodgers moment
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.
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
Dodgers players look on during a Seoul Series game in March 2024.@decoohtani17/X
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.
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.
