Kakao's 'Solo Leveling' partners with Samsung Lions on ballpark gear

Kakao Entertainment is taking its global anime and webtoon juggernaut "Solo Leveling" to the ballpark, partnering with the Samsung Lions for a high-profile merchandise crossover that merges professional baseball with one of Korea's most lucrative entertainment exports.

The Seoul-based media giant said Tuesday that the co-branded collection will launch in staggered phases starting Monday, available directly through the Samsung Lions Authentic Shop.

The initial release features dual-color blue and black team jerseys, custom caps, marking kits and fan cheering scarves.

A secondary drop, scheduled for Aug.

4, will introduce rain ponchos, themed keychains and mini cheering sticks.

At the core of the collaboration is the slogan "ARISE, LIONS" — a direct nod to protagonist Sung Jinwoo’s iconic command in the series, woven together with the battle cry of the Lions’ fan base.

The partnership also leans heavily on the shared initials "SL," which Kakao designers leveraged to symbolize a shared narrative of growth, leveling up and athletic determination.

The aesthetic blends high-fantasy webt ...