Choi Won-jun's candid confession about the "4.8 billion won FA" he recalled at the time of signing: "Anyone would see it as an overpayment, which is why I..." He ultimately proved himself with 201 hits!

*This content was translated by AI.

"Anyone would agree that the contract at the time was an overpayment. If it were me, I would have thought the same."

KT Wiz outfielder Choi Won-jun (29), who reached the milestone of 200 hits in a single season and etched his name into KBO League history with this remarkable feat, candidly shared his calm yet sincere thoughts on the cold public gaze he faced when signing his free agent contract and the sweat he shed to shatter those doubts.

On the 6th, Choi Won-jun started as the leadoff hitter and right fielder in an away game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, during the "2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League." He recorded two hits in six at-bats and three runs, leading his team to a decisive 10-1 victory.

Heading into the game, Choi Won-jun had 199 hits on the season. In his second at-bat of the third inning, he hit a double down the right-field line off Kiwoom starter Park Jun-hyun, finally reaching the coveted 200-hit mark. This is the third time in KBO League history that a player has achieved this feat, following Seo Geon-chang (201 hits) in 2014 and Victor Reyes (202 hits) in 2024. It is also the first time a domestic player has reached this milestone in 12 years since Seo Geon-chang. Simultaneously, Choi Won-jun is the first player in KT club history to reach 200 hits in a single season.

He did not stop there. In his third at-bat of the fourth inning, Choi Won-jun added a hit off the right fielder, accumulating his 201st hit of the season. At that moment, he was just one hit away from tying the single-season record for most hits (202).

After the game, Choi Won-jun said with a bright smile, "Since the team's race for a playoff spot had ended, I focused only on that and actually thought reaching 200 hits might be difficult. But fortunately, my first hit came early, so it feels great."

He also conveyed his sincere desire to surpass the record of his respected senior Seo Geon-chang, rather than simply chasing titles. "Victor Reyes has more games remaining than I do, so I am not aiming for the most hits title," he said, raising his voice. "However, (Seo) Geon-chang-hyung, whom I have watched since childhood and received much help from, set a truly remarkable record of 201 hits in a 128-game schedule. In the sense of surpassing that great senior, I definitely wanted to hit 202."

Behind this dazzling achievement lay bone-grinding patience and effort. Choi Won-jun, whose batting average had stalled at .242 last season, signed with KT for a four-year contract worth a total of 4.8 billion won (with 4.2 billion won guaranteed) ahead of this season. At the time, fans and public opinion sparked controversy over "overpayment," arguing that the amount was excessive given his performance.

Choi Won-jun clearly remembered the reactions at the time. "In fact, baseball players are judged by their results, right? If you buy a batter who hit 100 hits with a .24x average in the previous season for 4.8 billion won, fans would naturally see it as an overpayment," he admitted candidly. "If it were me, I would have thought the same."

However, that cold assessment did not break Choi Won-jun; instead, it became his strongest spur. "But as a player, I shouldn't think that way," he said emphatically. "I remember hitting 170 hits just a few years ago, and I wanted to show that one poor season doesn't mean my baseball is over. To prove that I could perform well again, I prepared for the season with intense determination."

His family was also a great pillar of support. Having become the head of a household after his child's birth in August last year, he matured and remained mentally steady. "In the past, I would waver over trivial matters and feel mentally pressured," he reflected. "But my ability to control my mindset has improved significantly. Even when a slump hit me in July, instead of obsessing only over training as before, I boldly took rest and maintained my routine. The solid trust from the manager and the hitting coach was also a great source of strength."

Finally, Choi Won-jun said with a relieved smile, "Now that many people are calling it a 'bargain contract' instead of an overpayment, I don't think there is any need for me to add more about the contract." Having proven his worth through performance, Choi Won-jun's gaze is now turned toward the Korean Series.

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*This content was translated by AI.