*This content was translated by AI.
Actress Kang So-ra (36), who brought victory to Lotte Giants again after 14 years, revealed why she simply has to like Lotte.
Kang So-ra was invited as the ceremonial first pitcher for the Busan LG Twins game on the 28th. This was her first ceremonial first pitch in 14 years since the Busan Hanwha Eagles game on April 7, 2012.
Meeting reporters ahead of the ceremonial first pitch, Kang So-ra said, "I came with a grateful heart because Lotte invited me. It feels truly fresh. When I cheered for Lotte in 2012, there were many great players. There are also great players this time, so I hope for a good result."
When Kang So-ra threw the ceremonial first pitch 14 years ago, Lotte defeated Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha) and won 4-1. Since the opponent was top-ranked LG this day, victory could not be guaranteed. Moreover, they had narrowly suffered a comeback loss the previous day (27th).
Kang So-ra expressed her anxiety, saying, "Actually, I feel pressured because it's against LG. Yesterday (27th), we did well in the early innings but lost by one run at the end. I hope that doesn't happen today."
She added, "I don't think Lotte's win rate at Sajik is higher than when they go on the road this year. The fans' energy is so tremendous that maybe they get a bit more nervous, or unexpected results happen. I sincerely hope that doesn't happen today (28th)."
A representative from Kang So-ra's YouTube channel (Sora's Solo Play) standing beside her testified, "She said she was more nervous about the ceremonial first pitch than hosting last week's awards ceremony." Kang So-ra laughed in response, "For hosting, there's a script and it's predictable, but Lotte baseball is unpredictable."
Every answer revealed her deep fandom for Lotte. The joke, "I don't watch much baseball because it makes me angry," reached its peak. How could Kang So-ra, a Seoul native with no particular connection to Busan, become so sincere about Lotte? She found the reason in the movie "Sunny," which launched her into full stardom. The movie "Sunny" attracted 7.4 million viewers 15 years ago. Kang So-ra received the Newcomer Award at the 20th Buil Film Awards for this film.
Kang So-ra recalled, "I originally really liked the city of Busan. Also, since I received my first Newcomer Award at the Buil Film Awards 15 years ago, I like Busan even more. The first film festival I attended was the Busan International Film Festival, and from then on, I developed a fondness for the city of Busan."
She had already fallen deeply in love with Lotte baseball in Seoul. Kang So-ra said, "I happened to go to Seoul to watch a Doosan vs. Lotte game. I was truly moved by the cheering culture of Lotte fans. I remember wearing an orange plastic bag on my head while cheering. Since I am from Seoul, I watched from the Doosan side, but that image stayed in my mind, and I thought, 'If I'm going to be a baseball fan, I want to be a Lotte fan.'"
She continued, "Even though it was my first time going that day, I could follow along with all the cheering songs. I remember Jeon Jun-woo's cheering song, 'Hit, hit, Sa-ri-ra, Sa-ri-ra.' We also sang 'Manman-ho-ni.' At that time, there were players Lee Dae-ho, Son Ah-seop, and Garcia, and it was really good."
Rookie Park Jung-min (23) guided Kang So-ra for the ceremonial first pitch that day. Kang So-ra, now a mother of two daughters, could not hide her admiration. She smiled, saying, "Player Park Jung-min guided me, and he was so reliable and cute. I wondered how his parents must feel. I even briefly thought, 'Should I have had a son?'"
She added, "If I throw a wild pitch or if Lotte loses, my entire YouTube content will be deleted. I worked hard filming while coming here, but since there's a risk of deletion, I will do my best. (When asked if failing would actually generate more content) I would secure the content, but then I wouldn't be able to come to Sajik again. Today could be my first and last ceremonial first pitch in 14 years."
Kang So-ra, who threw a beautiful curveball, became the 'Win Fairy' again after 14 years. Lotte defeated LG 11-9 in a tense match where they could not let their guard down until the end. As Kang So-ra had said, "Lotte baseball wins when you think they'll lose. But if you think, 'Let's go with momentum!' then at the end, they say, 'Hee, you were tricked!' and it feels like a flirtation." She defined Lotte baseball this way.
She continued, "I came to Busan last week, and many Busan residents updated me with the latest information. Lotte has won seven games in a row recently, and I want to see them in the autumn playoffs with this momentum. I always keep my dreams alive. I want to watch Lotte baseball in this clear season. If I get invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch then, it would be wonderful," she smiled brightly.
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*This content was translated by AI.
