{"id":127,"date":"2026-10-07T02:31:49","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T02:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/?p=127"},"modified":"2026-10-07T02:31:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T02:31:49","slug":"mahjong-club-started-6-months-ago-now-100-people-show-up-weekly-with-andrew-lee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/mahjong-club-started-6-months-ago-now-100-people-show-up-weekly-with-andrew-lee\/","title":{"rendered":"Mahjong Club Started 6 Months Ago\u2014Now 100 People Show Up Weekly with Andrew Lee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Mahjong: OC\u2019s Fastest Growing Community &amp; the New Pickleball? With Andrew Lee of OC Mahjong Mondays\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/2EgJTyFbJD96WfDdMmKAzO?si=acbe48451c6748e6&amp;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew Lee did not set out to build a movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He just did not want to drive an hour and a half to play mahjong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few months later, his Orange County mahjong group had grown from a brand-new social media page into weekly events drawing around 100 people, collaborations with the Irvine Public Library, and a community large enough that venue capacity had become a real problem. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wildest part?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They did it without paid advertising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Zero to 100 People in Three Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OC Mahjong technically began in March 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew and his team created the social media page, secured the account names, and posted their first event only a few days before it happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They expected mostly friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, around 40 people showed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second event brought roughly 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the third, attendance had climbed past 100. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That kind of growth usually comes with a big marketing budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew says the demand was already there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orange County had been underserved compared with areas of Los Angeles, where mahjong communities were already more established. OC Mahjong simply gave people somewhere local to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mahjong Is Having a Cultural Resurgence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many Asian Americans, mahjong has traditionally been associated with older relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew remembers the same stereotype: aunties playing around the table, not necessarily something young people considered trendy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He sees a broader resurgence of pride in Asian identity, and mahjong has become part of that shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cultural practices that younger generations may once have viewed as old-fashioned are being reclaimed as something worth celebrating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Asian culture has become more visible in entertainment and mainstream American culture, Andrew believes younger people have become more comfortable embracing traditions tied to that identity. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But this is not just an Asian-American trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OC Mahjong\u2019s events are diverse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew estimates that roughly 60% of attendees are Asian, while the rest include white, Hispanic, Black, and other players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is part of what makes the current moment interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mahjong is moving from something culturally specific toward something increasingly mainstream. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The New Pickleball?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew compares what is happening with mahjong now to what happened with pickleball several years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, pickleball belonged to a relatively specific crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then suddenly everyone knew someone who played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Courts appeared everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leagues formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brands followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same kind of momentum may now be happening with mahjong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People see friends playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They get curious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then they invite more friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cycle continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew also compares it to boba: something once concentrated within Asian communities that gradually became part of mainstream American culture. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Mahjong Works So Well Socially<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mahjong is not just intellectually interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It gives people a reason to sit together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That may be its biggest advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew works full-time in mental health as a program director, and he sees the social side of mahjong as especially valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The game requires concentration, pattern recognition, strategy, and problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it also requires people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four people sit around a table for extended periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They help each other learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And when conversation gets quiet, the game fills the silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That creates a very different experience from networking events where everyone feels pressure to keep talking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew describes strong social support as one of the most important protective factors for mental health, and mahjong naturally creates opportunities for people to build those connections. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Third Place People Actually Want to Return To<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sociologists sometimes talk about a \u201cthird place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Home is one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work is another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third place is where people go simply to belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For some people, that is a gym.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For others, a church, coffee shop, sports league, or hobby group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mahjong can become that place too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People can spend hours together without needing a formal agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew has even brought mahjong into his mental-health work, where people with disabilities or mental-health challenges can use the game for structure, stimulation, and social interaction. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That same need exists in the broader population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adults want friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They want recurring communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They want somewhere they can show up and know people will recognize them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OC Mahjong seems to be filling that gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Secret Is Not Just Getting People There<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most interesting parts of Andrew\u2019s approach is what happens after someone walks through the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Large gatherings can be intimidating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person may technically attend an event and still spend the whole night standing alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew and his team try to prevent that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When someone arrives, co-hosts ask about their skill level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then they walk that person directly to a table and introduce them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew describes it almost as intentionally forcing social connection\u2014in a good way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People are shy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They hide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the organizers remove the awkward first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That small act matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People tell Andrew that they met someone at a table, exchanged social media, became friends, and then came back again. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is community building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not simply gathering bodies in a room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zero Dollars in Advertising<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the rapid growth, Andrew says OC Mahjong has not spent money on paid advertising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The group posts consistently on social media and uses AI tools to help create flyers and graphics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the biggest driver has been word of mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around 60% to 70% of attendees are regulars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those regulars bring new people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of those new people become regulars too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then they bring someone else. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is the kind of marketing every business wants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People enjoying something enough to recruit the next customer for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build Something People Want to Belong To<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew did not have a professional background in event promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mahjong was not his full-time job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He simply saw a gap and created something to fill it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he listened to what the community wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, OC Mahjong hosts Monday events in Irvine and Anaheim, weekend events, collaborations, and other mashups involving activities like pickleball and run clubs. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lesson goes well beyond mahjong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You do not always need a groundbreaking product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes you need to recognize a demand that nobody is serving properly yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Give people a good experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make newcomers feel welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Build a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let people bring their friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then keep showing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew\u2019s stated legacy is simple: helping people and building community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Considering how quickly OC Mahjong has grown, he is already doing exactly that. Export text &#8211; mahjongcleanedpod\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow OC Mahjong on Instagram at <strong>@OC_Mahjong<\/strong> and check their calendar for upcoming events in Orange County.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andrew Lee did not set out to build a movement. He just did not want to drive an hour and a half to play mahjong. A few months later, his Orange County mahjong group had grown from a brand-new social media page into weekly events drawing around 100 people, collaborations with the Irvine Public Library, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":128,"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127\/revisions\/128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacylauncherlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}