*This content was translated by AI.
"It's great to hear the 'smart FA' talk."
This was no empty wish. Choi Won-jun (29), who signed with KT Wiz for four years and 4.8 billion won, is proving his value by aiming for 200 hits and a Golden Glove award.
On the 12th, in a regular-season home game against the KIA Tigers at Suwon KT Wiz Park during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League season, Choi Won-jun went 2-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored, leading KT to a 6-2 victory.
Choi Won-jun was also the hero of the winning hit. After striking out in his first at-bat, he drove a light changeup from James Neale into a two-run double down the left-field line with one out and runners on second and third in the bottom of the second inning as both teams were tied 1-1. This single swing gave KT a 2-1 lead.
His presence shone even more in crucial moments. With KT trailing 3-2, Choi Won-jun led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field. He advanced to third base on Kim Min-hyeok's sacrifice bunt and scored while taking advantage of a defensive lapse by the opposing catcher. KT added three runs in the inning alone thanks to Jang Jin-hyeok's bases-loaded walk and Ryu Hyun-jin's RBI single, sealing the victory.
KT extended its winning streak to five games, maintaining sole possession of first place with 74 wins, 3 ties, and 46 losses. The gap between them and second-place Samsung Lions, who lost to LG Twins on the same day, widened to one game.
In the tight race for first place, Choi Won-jun's performance stands out even more. Having signed a four-year, 4.8 billion won FA deal with KT this year, Choi has recorded a .341 batting average (168 hits in 493 at-bats), eight home runs, 66 RBIs, 102 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases across 119 games, along with an on-base percentage of .419, slugging percentage of .465, and OPS of .884. He has established himself as one of the league's top leadoff hitters. This is a complete turnaround from last season, when he managed only a .242 batting average (100 hits in 413 at-bats) over 126 games.
After the game, when reporters asked Choi Won-jun about fans calling him a "smart FA," he smiled and said, "It's great. I've often thought I should be able to hear such words."
"Smart FA" is a colloquial term meaning someone or something offers exceptional value for the price. The phrase originated from convenience store products launched by actress Kim Hye-ja, which were praised for their rich contents at low prices. It has since been commonly applied to people or products that offer great value. Choi Won-jun said, "There's no way around it except to perform well. No matter how much you talk, if you don't deliver, you can't earn such praise. I wanted to prove myself through performance, and now I feel proud that I'm slowly doing just that."
It wasn't always smooth sailing throughout the season. In May, he hit an impressive .450 (45 hits in 100 at-bats) over 25 games, but his average dipped to .266 in July (16 games) and .289 in August (17 games). However, his hitting touch returned in September. He recorded a .370 batting average (17 hits in 46 at-bats) over 11 games, showing an upward trend as the season nears its end.
Choi Won-jun said, "July and August were personally difficult for me, so I hoped things would improve in September." He added, "I feel good to be able to contribute to the team again at a critical time."
Now, his personal records are following naturally. As of the game on the 13th, Choi Won-jun ranks second in runs scored and hits, fourth in batting average, and fourth in on-base percentage. He remains a contender for the batting title and is also considered a strong candidate for the outfield Golden Glove award.
The goal of 200 hits, which he set since his debut, is no longer out of reach. With 19 games remaining, Choi currently has 168 hits, leaving him just 32 short of his first career 200-hit season. His personal best in a single season was 174 hits, achieved in 2021. Regarding this, Choi Won-jun smiled and said, "The Golden Glove is an award every baseball player dreams of. I really want to win it. I also want to hit 200 hits badly."
At the same time, he added, "Hitting 200 hits isn't something I can control just by wanting it. Well-hit balls might get caught, and poorly-hit ones could become hits. The Golden Glove is also not something I can win just because I want it. If I keep doing what I can, I believe I'll get closer to those records by the end of the season. As for the Golden Glove, if I give my best until the season ends, I think many people will view me favorably."
The same applies to the batting title. Choi Won-jun said, "I'm not originally a player who wins batting titles, and there are so many excellent hitters out there." He continued, "Even if it's not this year, I can challenge again in the next two or three years. If I become a player who can keep competing at that level, I don't think it will be too late to try again then."
For now, his focus is less on personal titles and more on the top of the standings. Choi Won-jun emphasized, "Finishing first doesn't come easily. But if you focus too much on it, it can become a burden. Our team's strength is that we don't get overly swayed by winning or losing streaks. I want to turn my confidence into the belief that if we stay in this good position and play well until the end, we can finish with a high ranking."
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*This content was translated by AI.
