It's KBang Jun-sik, chairman of the Korea Soft Darts Association, aims at the world of trot ahead of the 2025 K-Darts Festival
Jun 16, 2025
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Bang Jun-sik, 67, chairman of the Korea Soft Darts Association (KSDA), who hosts the competition, said, `If you visit the site in person, you will be surprised by the scale and heat of the festival.' `It is a dart festival where professionals and amateurs from all over the world blend together. Beyond simple competitions, it is a platform that dreams of popularizing soft darts and evolving into the sports industry" he said.
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Following K-pop, K-drama, and K-food, 'K-Dart' has now thrown its hat into the world stage. The term, which may even be somewhat unfamiliar with its name, is no longer unfamiliar within the darts industry, however.
"The United Kingdom is the dominant country in traditional darts, but Korea is already playing a central role in soft darts. This was possible because of the excellent technology of FinixDart Inc., a global electronic dart supplier who is also a sponsor of the Korea SoftDart Association."
In the past, electronic darts simply remained at the level of automating score calculation. However, with Phoenix Dart's development of online functions in 2008, real-time competition became possible, and this weapon raised its global market share to the 50% range. Currently, more than 30 countries provide game services, and the equipment produced by the company is used as an internationally recognized dart device. This superior market dominance of Phoenix Darts gave birth to the concept of 'K-Darts'.
Chairman Bang put the possibility and confidence of the Korean soft darts industry in the name of 'K-darts'. In particular, it is emphasized that softdarts are developing in a different direction from the traditional 'stilddarts' in Europe based on safety and digital technology.
"Steeldarts can be dangerous using iron tentacles, and score calculations are manual. On the other hand, soft darts can not only calculate automatic scores, but also various ways of playing and online competitions. It's a sport that incorporates Korea's technology and experience in the game industry."
Korea, which is leading the soft darts craze in Asia, now wants to expand the trend to the world.
"A traditional stildart competition, such as the PDC in the UK, has about 128 participants, while the K-dart festival has about 3,000 participants. It is a new culture of 'Spottainment' that combines professionals, amateurs, and ordinary visitors. Because these cultural elements are abundant, I think they can grow sufficiently into 'Korean Wave content' like K-pop or K-dramas."
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But there is still a perception that darts are 'play with alcohol in the pub'. President Bang, a former journalist who took office as president of the association in July last year, focused the most on spreading the perception that darts is a sport that requires strategy, concentration, and a high level of mental strength. As part of this awareness improvement, Bang set joining the KOC as his top priority.
"Joining the KOC was the most realistic way to recognize soft darts as a sport that anyone could enjoy, not just entertainment."
To this end, the association is gradually laying the foundation from joining the sports association of cities, counties, and districts to joining the sports association of metropolitan cities. Ultimately, if it becomes a full-time member of the Korean Sports Association, it is expected that the foundation of players' activities will be solid and changes in public perception will naturally follow.
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Currently, 134 professional players are registered in the Korea Soft Darts Association. They are active through a professional league called 'Perfect Korea', but the reality is not easy. Most of them are so-called `two-jobs players' who have their own jobs.
"We need to increase the number of competitions and increase the amount of prize money like in Japan. That way, players can use darts as their profession. We need to grow our fandom and ecosystem together."
Bang emphasized that 'joining the Korean Sports Council - stabilizing the ecosystem - K-dart globalization' are all linked goals in one context.
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Dat has no restrictions on the location and the tools are simple, so anyone of all ages can enjoy it. There are also various ways to play the game. It's not just a game where you get a high score, but it requires strategy and concentration, so you have to use your brain to win. In this respect, it is also effective in preventing dementia.
Chairman Bang advises. "Go to a nearby club or dart pub at first. These days, it's also easy to access through online communities or apps. It is a sport that anyone can easily start due to its low introductory barrier. The important thing is to enjoy it."
Then, how good is Chairman Bang's darts skills? Chairman Bang said "I'm not good at it. It's just a level of fun.," he replied with a smile.
The journey of 'K-Dart' has begun
Bang says he wants to grow darts beyond just a hobby as a sport and cultural content in life.
"As Korea is becoming a new center for soft darts, we will soon see the spread of 'K-darts' around the world. This festival in Songdo will signal a new start for the journey."
In July, a small arrow named Dart will once again fly to a big bridge connecting Korea and the world in Songdo, Incheon.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
