Hwang Sung-bin's All-Star Game Behind-the-Scenes: "I Asked the Manager, 'If a Dog Needs to Go for a Walk, It Needs an Owner'" [HOT Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants outfielder Hwang Sung-bin (29) is enjoying his best career season this year. In 80 games, he has posted a .298 batting average (89 hits in 299 at-bats), achieving his first career 300+ plate appearances and challenging for his first personal title with 35 stolen bases (1st place). Off the field, he also captured fans' attention by receiving the Best Performance Award for his bold "dog costume" during the 2026 KBO All-Star Game at Seoul Jamsil Stadium on July 11.

Even though Hwang Sung-bin exudes fierce competitiveness and energy on the field, he endured some of the toughest times before turning pro, pushing himself through deep personal struggles. We met him at Busan Sajik Stadium on the 5th, when a Kiwoom Heroes game was canceled due to extreme heat. This interview with Hwang about his present, past, and future will be published in three parts.

[Hwang Sung-bin HOT Interview]

① Hwang Sung-bin's All-Star Game Behind-the-Scenes: "I Asked the Manager, 'If a Dog Needs to Go for a Walk, It Needs an Owner'"

- Let's start with this season's baseball. What do you think is the secret to your strong performance?

▶ In previous off-seasons, I practiced with high school juniors from Sora High School on Jeju Island, but this year I went to Japan and trained with (An) Kwon-soo (33). He runs a lesson facility near Tokyo where he teaches students. When I played baseball with him, I felt more like myself, so I wanted to recall those good memories. Although we spent only one season together at Lotte, we became close while living and playing in the first division as outfielders. (An Kwon-soo was selected in the 10th round of the 2020 Doosan draft and later moved to Lotte in 2023, where he played one season.)

- Have you changed your mindset?

▶ I haven't made any technical changes since the start of the season, but as games have progressed, I've felt more strongly about my role and responsibility within the team. I'm no longer young, and many younger players are starting in our lineup. This season, I realized even more clearly that when I lead off and set the tone, the whole team's energy lifts. Although there's still a lot of season left, I believe this awareness has been helpful.

- You're leading the stolen base category this season with 8 triples (2nd place: SSG Landers' Jeong Jun-jae and Choi Ji-hoon, each with 7). Your personal single-season record for triples is also 8, set in 2024. Do you attach special significance to triples?

▶ Of course, every batter wants to hit home runs—they're the most exciting. But I'm not really a power hitter type... Still, I have speed, and hitting a triple requires sending the ball far, which demands some punching power. So I think I feel better about triples than home runs. Maybe because I haven't hit many home runs in my career (Hwang Sung-bin's career total is 6, with none this year), but it's something I can do best. Reaching third base on a single requires several slides, but hitting a triple gets me there in just one slide, which feels more thrilling.

- In recent interviews, you said "team success comes before the stolen base title." Still, there must be at least one personal record you really want to achieve. If you had to pick just one, what would it be?

▶ My on-base percentage is too low for a leadoff hitter (0.340). I don't draw many walks (19 in 325 plate appearances), partly because I tend to swing aggressively and make contact often after two strikes. When a pitch comes close to the zone, I try to lay off, but I need to be more selective. If my on-base percentage rises to around .380 or .390, other stats will naturally improve, and opportunities for stolen bases will increase as well. Nowadays, batters are often evaluated using OPS, but I believe there's value in what those numbers don't capture. Still, I have strong ambition to improve my on-base percentage and will keep working on it.

- We can't avoid talking about your "Best Performance Award" at the All-Star Game. How did you come up with that costume?

▶ It was my own idea. I changed my entrance music this year to "Who Let The Dogs Out," and since fans seemed to enjoy it, I thought I should make the most of it in a fun way. Focusing on how to make it even funnier, I finalized the plan on the day of the All-Star Game and asked (Kim Tae-hyung) manager for help.

- What exactly did you ask him?

▶ Well, if a dog needs to go for a walk, it needs an owner. So at first, I simply said, "Manager, since you're my owner, please help me once." Later, I explained how it could be done more entertainingly. Thanks to the manager's enthusiastic support, I believe we were able to win the award.

- How did you spend the 3rd million won prize money?

▶ I bought a gift for the manager. Although it hasn't happened yet, I'm preparing to treat the SNS team that helped prepare for the All-Star Game to a meal.

[Hwang Sung-bin HOT Interview] To be continued in Part 2.

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*This content was translated by AI.