"(Moon) Bo-kyung, you must do well for your older brother." The 158 km/h LG fireballer, bursting with excitement over his first Taegeuk mark... even a bow came naturally. [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins right-handed fireballer Kim Young-woo (21) could not hide his excitement over earning his first Taegeuk mark in his life.

Kim Young-woo met with StarNews ahead of the Seoul Jamsil Lotte Giants game on the 12th and said with a bright smile, "I was watching live with the older players, and I was so happy to be selected. I felt great all day long."

On the previous day, the 11th, Manager Ryu Ji-hyun (55), KBO Jeon Ryeok-gang-hwa (Chairman) Cho Gye-hyun (62), and KBSA Game Improvement Committee member Cha Myung-joo (53) officially announced the final roster for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Korean national baseball team.

From LG, Kim Young-woo and Moon Bo-kyung (26) were selected. Since the team is centered on players under 25, it was possible to select a wildcard player up to 29 years old. This made the Taegeuk mark even more meaningful, as it was a first-time setback for him in his youth.

Kim Young-woo is a right-handed fireballer who graduated from Yangwon Elementary School (Seodaemun-gu Little), Sinwol Middle School, and Seoul High School, and joined LG as the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 KBO Rookie Draft. He was noted as a promising pitcher who threw fastballs at 140 km/h since his time at Sinwol Middle School, and there were expectations that he would be selected for the youth national team after joining Seoul High School.

However, he underwent elbow ligament reconstruction surgery (Tommy John surgery) in his second year, which led to a one-year delay, and he was unable to make the youth national team. Even after turning pro, he had expressed regret over this several times.

Kim Young-woo revealed his inner thoughts, saying, "Honestly, I really wanted to join the youth national team, but I couldn't due to my injury. So, once I became an adult, I wanted to join the national team for sure. The Asian Games is an important tournament for me in many ways, so I was very conscious and worried about it early in the season."

During this Asian Games period, the league would not be suspended, so balance was emphasized, with a maximum of three players selected per team. Given this, it was indeed true that Kim Young-woo was a strong candidate from LG. Despite being a high school rookie last year, he contributed to the Korean Series championship with 3 wins, 2 losses, 7 holds, 1 save, and an ERA of 2.40 in 66 games. This year, he has been performing with 2 wins, no losses, 3 holds, and an ERA of 2.57 in 24 games.

Nevertheless, he could not feel at ease as a second-year player. Kim Young-woo said firmly, "It would be a lie if I said I wasn't nervous. Although people around me said I might get selected, I was half-believing until my name was called. I feel so good to be selected like this and think I must do even better going forward."

His teammate Moon Bo-kyung, heading to the Ham Kke (CEO) team, is a reliable presence. Moon Bo-kyung was classified as a key member of the Lee Beon (CEO) team along with Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles). The previous day, Moon Bo-kyung laughed, saying, "(Kim) Young-woo told me to take good care of him. That alone was a bit..."

He also previously expressed his sense of burden, saying, "During the Hangzhou Games, I felt a strong sense of responsibility. It was my first time in the national team, so I was extremely nervous. Even now, I feel the same responsibility, but with a different kind of burden. Now, I feel I need to help others."

However, it is reported that Kim Young-woo could not help but bow naturally. Kim Young-woo laughed, saying, "(Moon) Bo-kyung jokingly told me, 'You're now in my hands.' He is indeed going to play an important role, so I naturally must do well for him." He added firmly, "He has always been supportive, so he is very reliable. Also, since Bo-kyung has been to the national team many times, I plan to ask him many questions and learn from him."

With his first official tournament Taegeuk mark ahead, his determination is extraordinary. Kim Young-woo raised his voice, saying, "It is important not to get injured during the remaining three months. The national team is important, but it is also important for our team to win the championship. First, I will work hard to do my part for the team."

He then stated his ambitious plans, saying, "When I join the national team, I want to show an aggressive style on the mound. Since it is Na Ra-reul (CEO), I want to help our country win as much as possible."

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*This content was translated by AI.