“The Rival is in the Outfield Seats”: Hwang Jae-gyun, After Retirement, Takes on “Dating Reality” Too: “A Completely Different Life, Happy” [Interview ③]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

In “The Rival is in the Outfield Seats♥,” Hwang Jae-gyun revealed that he is living a new life after retiring as a baseball player.

On the 6th, an interview was held at a cafe in Seodaemun District, Seoul, featuring Lee Ki-yeon, PD of Tving’s dating reality show “The Rival is in the Outfield Seats♥,” former baseball player turned broadcaster Hwang Jae-gyun who served as MC, comedian Lee Yong-jin, and Lovelyz member and actress Yeeun.

“The Rival is in the Outfield Seats♥” is a dating reality show that follows the process of men and women who support different teams finding romance while watching actual baseball games together at a stadium.

Hwang Jae-gyun expanded his activities from baseball player to broadcaster. For him, “The Rival is in the Outfield Seats♥” was his first challenge in a dating reality show. Hwang Jae-gyun said, “Since dating shows are new to me, I was worried at first,” but added, “When I actually did it, it was fun. I thought that if an offer for a dating show comes in, I absolutely have to do it.”

He initially thought there would be many parts requiring explanations related to baseball. Hwang Jae-gyun said, “At first, they asked me to explain things from a baseball perspective, but it turned out there was nothing to explain about baseball,” adding, “It’s really just us talking about the blind date itself, so rather than specialized knowledge, I had fun throughout the filming.”

He said that during filming, he focused more on the participants than on baseball. Hwang Jae-gyun stated, “When we filmed Episode 1, I watched the baseball game. As episodes went by, the cast was so interesting that I stopped watching the game,” and added, “I didn’t even know when runs were scored. I focused on the participants.”

Watching the broadcast also led him to reflect on his past. He said, “Watching recent episodes, I saw pure love. I wondered if I had ever been in such a time,” adding, “I realized that when you like someone that much, you feel shy, excited, and self-blame. It was pure. I looked back and wondered if I had ever been like that,” and continued, “I thought I wanted to have that kind of pure heart too.”

Hwang Jae-gyun, who has recently been active in various broadcasting programs, said, “It is a completely different life from when I was a player. I also enjoy filming and meeting new people, and I like talking,” adding, “I am very happy these days and doing well.”

Lee Yong-jin, who worked with him as MC, also praised Hwang Jae-gyun. Lee said, “Hwang Jae-gyun tells us the necessary explanations and points. I came to realize he is a talented person,” adding, “It was really fun. His lines are funny, and I wondered if he became a baseball player to become a broadcaster. I wonder how he endured that talent and devoted himself to baseball. He is really very helpful.” Hearing this, Hwang Jae-gyun joked, “I retired to do broadcasting.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original