"I'm so glad Hwang Seong-bin is on our team, not the enemy." I want to be remembered as that kind of player [HOT Interview ③]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lotte Giants outfielder Hwang Seong-bin (29) is known for his strong competitive spirit. That aspect of him has sometimes been perceived negatively by fans of other teams. Hwang said, "I just wanted to win; it was never intentional," and added, "I want to be remembered as a player whom fans think, 'It's a relief he's on our team.'"

[Hwang Seong-bin HOT Interview]

① Behind-the-scenes of the Hwang Seong-bin All-Star Game: "I asked the manager, 'If you want to walk a dog, you need an owner'"

② Almost missed the "ephedra" moment: "When I wasn't selected for the draft, I considered quitting baseball and going to college; I paid off my student loans entirely with my signing bonus."

③ "I'm so glad Hwang Seong-bin is on our team, not the enemy." I want to be remembered as that kind of player

Continued in Part 2.

- Lotte fans are famous for their passionate support. What is it like to play for such a team?

▶ It gives me a lot of energy, and I think my dopamine levels go up even more. When so many fans at the stadium unite their voices, it feels great, and that makes me want to perform even better.

- You are well known for your energetic plays on the field. Are you naturally very competitive?

▶ Yes, I think I am quite competitive. As an athlete, I believe losing should be seen as something to be upset about by default. If you feel frustrated or unable to perform, you should know how to get angry. We don't work to lose; we work to win. Sometimes that intensity might make people frown, but having such a competitive spirit is an advantage for any athlete.

- Occasionally, your competitiveness has gone too far, and you've faced criticism from fans of other teams. How did you feel in those moments?

▶ It would be a lie to say I never had difficult times. I learned a lot that no matter my intentions, others might perceive things differently than I do. There were definitely moments when I thought I must avoid problematic behavior. It was never intentional; I hope people understand that my actions came from my intense focus and desire to win at all costs back then.

- Let's talk about your goals. Before retiring, is there anything you absolutely want to achieve?

▶ Naturally, it would be a team championship. However, I think it's unrealistic to expect to win everything at once. First, I hope we don't finish every season with just 144 games. Even if we play one or two extra games, I believe we can clearly convey the message to fans that "we can do this." Also, after experiencing autumn baseball, I think we can instill the possibility that because our player roster is young, we can do it again anytime.

- Since you haven't experienced autumn baseball since your debut, your desire must be even stronger. (Lotte's last postseason was the 2017 semifinals.)

▶ Yes, experiencing autumn baseball is my closest goal for now. After that, there will surely come a time when we climb even higher. I am truly confident in short series. Short series aren't just about hitting well and pitching well to win; they always create variables. I think of myself as "the variable itself." Once we reach autumn baseball, we can play as if there is no tomorrow. That's where my confidence lies. I don't know how long I'll continue playing, but before I take off my uniform, I really want to win a championship once.

- Do you have any personal goals?

▶ I tried setting numerical goals, but then there were too many moments during the season where I felt pressured chasing numbers. So, while I'm not sure about specific numbers, if I had to say something, it would be to become the Lotte Giants player with the most stolen bases. I've reached 130 so far. The KBO League record (1st place Jeon Jun-ho with 549) is out of reach, but I want to break the Lotte Giants' stolen base records: 1st place Kim Ju-chan (299 steals from 2001–2012) and 2nd place Jeon Jun-ho (242 steals from 1991–1996). You can't always look too far ahead; you have to do it one step at a time.

- Final question. After retiring, how would you like fans to remember you: "What kind of player was Hwang Seong-bin?"

▶ I really love the phrase, "Still, it's a relief that Hwang Seong-bin is on our team." It might sound negative to some, but from another team's perspective, they'd think, "We absolutely don't want to see him as an opponent; we'd rather die than face him." I believe I can give back the dopamine I receive from fans through my plays. So, it would be great if people say things like, "It was good that Hwang Seong-bin is on our team."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original