VIDEO NBA star Stephen Curry scores slam dunk with Seoul fans
Stephen Curry greets fans at the “Under Armour-Stephen Curry Live In Seoul” event at Jangchung Gymnasium in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, July 27. / Yonhap
By Ko Dong-hwan
Stephen Curry bumps in midair with the half-court shooting challenge winner from the audience. / Yonhap
NBA player Stephen Curry‘s first fan meeting in Seoul went off with a bang on Thursday.
The two-time MVP winner entertained a crowd of over 2,000 people who were hyped up to see him in the flesh.
The Golden State Warriors guard threw his hands up with joy whenever points were made in a friendly mini-game between Team Stephen and Team Seth. When K-pop band 2AM member Jeong Jin-woon scored a field goal during the 10-minute match, Curry impishly mimicked the singer arranging his stylishly trimmed hair before taking the shot.
He bumped in midair with an audience member who excitedly ran around the court after scoring in a half-court shooting challenge. All the moments of fun seemed definitely not just for show but were genuinely shared by Curry.
He also seemed psyched up when he presented a pair of new basketball shoes, with his name brand ― the most coveted of the day’s giveaways ― to the half-court shooting challenge winner. He took off the lucky man’s shoes, threw them off the court and put the new shoes on him.
Cries of envy came from all over the Jangchung Gymnasium in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul ― even from the press zone.
Stephen Curry attempts a steal from one of the basketball player aspirants in a mini-game during the event. / Yonhap
Stephen Curry and his brother Seth take a high-five during the event. / Yonhap
“Under Armour-Stephen Curry Live In Seoul” on Thursday was well packaged with preshow events -- DJ music and the screening of a video made by fans. The main events included a basketball clinic for young aspirants, an obstacle challenge and the mini-game joined by Stephen, his brother Seth from the Dallas Mavericks, Korean Basketball League player Joo Hee-jeong and former players Lee Mi-sun and Woo Ji-won.
But they didn’t quench the thirst of the audience who would have played with the devil to see Curry up close and personal. The fans delayed the event for a few minutes as those on the second floor scrambled to exits where the Curry brothers were to make a separate appearance. For safety ― not so much for the fans but for the stars ― the event didn’t continue until the crowd settled. During this time, one frustrated MC raised her voice to calm them.
But the brothers were all about coolness. As they appeared on the second floor balcony, they walked into the throng and took pictures with a selfie stick. Besides bodyguards securing the stars’ paths, there was no physical distance between the stars and the fans, a rare scene that even local celebrities hardly plan.
Curry’s three day-schedule in Seoul also includes a guest role in an episode of MBC variety entertainment show “Infinite Challenge.” If his down-to-earth manner exhibited at the event is part of his natural personality, the star has another big shot at winning more Seoul fans through the popular TV show.