LA’s Koreatown Seniors Become Kings’ Playoff Good Luck Charm with Harmonicas

When the Los Angeles Kings hit the ice for their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers, they brought with them an unlikely good luck charm: a group of senior harmonica players from the Koreatown Senior and Community Center.

The group of women, decked out in traditional Korean hanbok, first performed a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Game 1 on Monday, and the results were electrifying. Fans in Crypto.com Arena not only cheered enthusiastically but also sang along to the haunting harmonica melody, adding an emotional layer to the opening of the Kings’ playoff campaign. The Kings pulled off a thrilling 6-5 win, and the social media reaction was immediate and overwhelming, with the performance going viral.

But the story didn’t end there. Following the success of their first performance, the Kings invited the Koreatown seniors back to perform the national anthem again for Game 2 on Wednesday. This time, the group sported black Kings jerseys, and once again, their rendition was met with cheers and excitement, building the anticipation for a night of playoff hockey. The Kings defeated the Oilers 6-2, and the team’s X account posted a playful message: “The HarmoniKings are 2-0.”

The group’s journey to becoming the Kings’ unofficial good luck charm started a few years ago when the Koreatown Senior and Community Center introduced a harmonica class. The seniors began practicing the anthem in 2021, and by June 2023, they had performed it at a Los Angeles City Council meeting, where they received a standing ovation. This positive reception gave them the confidence to perform again in public, and it was in January 2025 that the Kings reached out to them. They were invited to perform at the team’s K-Town Night, held during the Kings’ regular-season match against the Boston Bruins in March.

Dressed in their traditional Korean attire, the seniors captivated the crowd once again, and their performance was so well-received that the Kings invited them back for the playoffs. The gesture was more than just about music; it was about community, culture, and a shared love for the Kings.

The Koreatown Senior and Community Center’s harmonica class, often referred to as the “HarmoniKings,” has become a symbol of community spirit and an unexpected yet heartwarming part of the Kings’ playoff story. As the team heads to Edmonton for their upcoming games, the harmonica players’ influence has made a lasting impression—one that may continue to resonate throughout the postseason.

With the Kings leading the series 2-1, it seems the seniors from Koreatown might just have earned their spot as the team’s good luck charm. Whether or not they continue to perform at future games, they’ve already left an indelible mark on the Kings’ playoff journey.