Hwang Seong-bin's All-Star Game Behind-the-Scenes: "I Asked the Manager, 'You Need a Owner to Walk a Dog'" [HOT Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lotte Giants outfielder Hwang Seong-bin (29) is enjoying his career-best season this year. In 80 games, he has posted a .298 batting average (89 hits in 299 at-bats), achieving his first career 300-hit plate appearance 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.

I met Hwang Seong-bin on the 5th at Busan Sajik Stadium, where a Kiwoom Heroes game was canceled due to extreme heat. On the field, Hwang exudes fierce competitiveness and energy, but off it, he has endured some of the toughest times in his professional career, constantly pushing himself through deep contemplation. This interview with him about his present, past, and future will be published in three parts.

[Hwang Seong-bin HOT Interview]

① Hwang Seong-bin's All-Star Game Behind-the-Scenes: "I Asked the Manager, 'You Need a Owner to Walk a Dog'"

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

▶ In previous off-seasons, I practiced with high school juniors from So-rae 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 in the first division as outfielders. (An Kwon-soo was drafted by Doosan in the 2nd round of the 10th pick in 2020 and moved to Lotte in 2023, playing one season there.)

- Have you changed your mindset?

▶ I haven't made any technical changes since the season started, 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 for us. This season, I realized even more clearly that when I lead off and set the tone, the whole team's atmosphere lifts significantly. Although there is still much of the season left, I believe this mindset has been helpful.

- You're leading in stolen bases this season and also ranking first 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 8, set in 2024. Do you attach special meaning to triples?

▶ As a hitter, of course you want to hit home runs. They're the most exciting. But I'm not really the type who hits many home runs.... Still, I have speed, and since triples require hitting the ball far, they demand some power too. So I think I feel better about triples than home runs. Maybe it's because I haven't hit many home runs in my career (Hwang Seong-bin has 6 career home runs, none this year). Whatever the reason, I believe I'm best at what I do. Reaching third base after a triple requires only one slide, whereas reaching it from first base might take several slides. That's why triples feel more thrilling to me.

- In recent interviews, you said "team success comes before the stolen base title." Still, there must be a 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 swing aggressively and make contact often after two strikes. When pitches come into the zone, I tend to swing, but I need to be more selective. If my on-base percentage rises to around .380 or .390, other stats will improve too, and opportunities for stolen bases will naturally increase. Nowadays, hitters are evaluated using metrics like OPS, and while I believe I can do things those numbers don't capture, I have a strong desire to improve my on-base percentage and will keep working on it.

- We can't avoid talking about your All-Star Game "Best Performance Award." 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, a dog needs an owner to go for a walk. So at first, I simply said, "Manager, since you're my owner, please help me once." Later, I explained further, saying something like, "It would be fun if we did this and that." The manager helped enthusiastically, and I believe that's why I was able to win the award.

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

▶ I bought some gifts 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 Seong-bin HOT Interview] Continues in Part 2.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original