'Jeon Jun-woo and Kim Won-jung as Baristas' Lotte Holds 3rd Dream Cafe to Support the Independence of People with Developmental Disabilities

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Having concluded the 2026 season with a disappointing record, Lotte Giants players will now meet fans not at a baseball stadium, but at cafes. They are stepping up as one-day baristas to help support the independence of people with developmental disabilities and improve social awareness.

Lotte announced on the 19th that it will hold the '3rd Dream Cafe' starting at 2 p.m. on the 30th, at locations including Stanbro Sajeong Baseball Stadium Branch, Krispy Kreme Donuts Busan Yeonsan Branch, and Lotteria Busan Danggam Branch.

The Dream Cafe, first launched in 2024, is a social contribution program designed to encourage the dreams of improving awareness and supporting the independence of people with developmental disabilities in the local community. This year, in collaboration with the Korea Institute for Developmental Disabilities Busan Metropolitan City Disabled Children and Developmental Disability Support Center, Sasang District Disability Welfare Center, and Busan Brain Injury Welfare Center, it provides opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to experience actual work environments. At the inaugural event in 2024 as well, players directly handled orders and serving alongside baristas with developmental disabilities, meeting with fans.

This year, 12 Lotte players, including captain Jeon Jun-woo (40), Kim Won-jung (33), Han Dong-hee (27), and Yoon Dong-hee (23), along with six individuals with developmental disabilities who are receiving barista training at various welfare centers, will welcome customers. The players plan to communicate closely with fans by taking orders directly and serving drinks and food.

Lotte finished this year's regular season in 7th place with a record of 64 wins, 3 draws, and 77 losses, for a winning percentage of 0.454. Although they secured a respectable final victory by defeating Doosan 7-4 in the season finale, they failed to advance to the postseason for the ninth consecutive year since 2017. While the KBO season has ended, the team will continue activities to meet with the local community and fans.

A total of 180 fans will be invited to the event. Participants can enter by using ball points on the official Lotte application, with 65 selected for Stanbro Sajeong Baseball Stadium Branch, 60 for Lotteria Busan Danggam Branch, and 55 for Krispy Kreme Donuts Busan Yeonsan Branch. Entries are open until the 22nd, and winners will be notified individually starting from the 23rd.

On-site, prizes such as accommodation vouchers at Busan Lotte Hotel, authentic signed uniforms, and player-signed balls will be given away through quizzes and lucky draws. Photo times with mascots and players, as well as a Haifa Eve event, will also take place.

In recent years, in addition to the Dream Cafe, Lotte has expanded its social contribution activities centered on the Busan area, including support for people with developmental disabilities, sponsorship of youth preparing for independence, education and sports programs for local students, and kimchi-making sharing events. Last year, the company carried out social contribution donations totaling 900 million won, including support for UNICEF, children's books, and airfare assistance.

This time as well, Lotte Corporation, Lotte Holdings, and Lotte GRS will each donate 10 million won to the Sasang District Disability Welfare Center and Busan Brain Injury Welfare Center, totaling 20 million won. A portion of the revenue generated on the day of the event is also planned to be donated for the education and independence of people with developmental disabilities.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original