'Princess' Choi Won-jun, When Asked "Are You Usually So Talkative?" → An Unexpected Answer [HOT Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz's Choi Won-jun (29) performed the 'Princess' act during the 2026 KBO All-Star Game held at Seoul Jamsil Stadium on the 11th. Fans gave him the nickname "Princess" (a play on "Gong-jo," meaning "Mouth of Terror") after frequently capturing his talkative behavior during broadcasts.

Meeting Choi Won-jun at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 9th, he gave an unexpected answer regarding the nickname: "I think it's because I usually keep my words to myself."

[Choi Won-jun HOT Interview]

① Batting Average Leader Achieved with Determination: "People Keep Talking About 'Mental'... I Wanted to Show What Results I Can Deliver If They Believe in Me"

② 'Princess' Choi Won-jun, When Asked "Are You Usually So Talkative?" → An Unexpected Answer

Continued from Part 1.

- After going through difficult times, you are finally seeing the light. How does it feel to play baseball this year?

▶ I try not to get carried away when things go well, nor do I want to become anxious or overly fixated when they don't. That's what composure is about. I think I'm just playing baseball that way. Baseball doesn't always yield results just because you want them, and even a solid hit can result in an out. I believe the hardest thing is to maintain consistency throughout the year, so I try to approach every game with the same mindset.

- We heard your first daughter will be born soon (expected in early August). Won't that change your mindset?

▶ It has a big impact. Now that I'm becoming a father, although I've always played with ambition and passion on the field, I sometimes worry that my focus solely on competition and results might appear negative. Since I can get out or strike out... I think this new role will help me maintain that mindset.

- Your wife (married in December 2023) is going through a difficult time as she approaches childbirth.

▶ My wife has such a good personality that she doesn't show it much. She struggled with severe morning sickness and had trouble eating, yet she never complained about her hardships and instead tried to make me feel comfortable.

- We heard you have an English tattoo on your right arm. Does it mean "Believe in self even when no one else does"?

▶ Yes, that's correct. I was on a good team, but I often felt my abilities weren't recognized. I believed my true value extends beyond this point... and I'm sure a shining period will come, so I had it tattooed to remind myself of that. But these days, I've almost forgotten about it and only remember when I look in the mirror sometimes. (Laughs)

- Your nickname is 'Princess.' Are you usually very talkative?

▶ When I do speak, I tend to say a lot... but since I try to keep my words to myself, I think I only talk more when there's a topic I'm interested in. Not everything that comes to mind needs to be spoken, so I hold back until a specific interest area emerges, and then I tend to talk quite a bit about it.

- The nickname contains profanity. Is that okay with you?

▶ Even though I don't like it, the fans say they do, so I think I don't mind it too much.

- Your batting average was an impressive 0.450 in May, but it has dipped slightly to 0.337 in June and 0.308 in July. You're still hitting well, though.

▶ I think I just got lucky in May, and many of the pitches I could hit came my way. But in June, I seem to have had less luck. More of my solid hits were caught, and more pitches hit the ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike system) in June. Since that's not something I can control, I'm just continuing as before. You can't keep hitting like you did in May forever. It was bound to be a time for some decline, and now I think the time for it to rise again is coming.

- The season has passed its midpoint, and summer makes it even more challenging. How are you managing your physical condition?

▶ The coaches have been very considerate; they let me rest from training a few times and left preparation up to me. The training staff also always pays close attention to me from the side, which has been very helpful. Manager Lee Kang-cheol also always asks, "Are you not tired?" and tells me, "Please let me know if it gets too hard."

- Outside the ballpark, how do you relieve stress on days off?

▶ I eat delicious food with my wife and go to other places... that's how I seem to unwind.

Continued in Part 3 of [Choi Won-jun HOT Interview].

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*This content was translated by AI.