“Sudden news of a death” LG players’ group chat fell silent, leaving behind “moving eight characters” [Playoff Semifinal Game 2 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

LG Twins right-handed pitcher Im Chan-gyu (34) took the mound amid the sorrow of the sudden death of his mother-in-law. Then, before the game, a notification sound rang out in the team’s group chat. He had sent a weighty message to his teammates. While burying his grief deep within, he instead showed a firm resolve to boost his teammates’ morale and dedicate himself to the team.

LG will play Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League Postseason Playoffs (best-of-five series) against the KIA Tigers at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field at 2 p.m. on the 18th.

After losing Game 1, played on the previous day (the 17th), by a score of 1-5, LG enters Game 2 with one loss on their record. If they lose Game 2 as well, they will effectively be pushed to the brink, making a turnaround essential.

The pitcher who will take responsibility for the LG mound in Game 2 of the Playoffs is Im Chan-gyu.

However, one day before the game, Im Chan-gyu was plunged into deep sorrow. The LG organization announced on the 17th, after completing Game 1 of the Playoffs, that Im Chan-gyu’s mother-in-law had passed away. The LG organization stated, “Im Chan-gyu’s mother-in-law, Choi Yoon-jeong, passed away at the age of 57. The wake has been set up at Cheongdam-dong Cathedral, and the funeral will be held on the 19th.”

Even amid the grief of losing a family member, Im Chan-gyu is scheduled to take the mound as the starting pitcher without any changes. An LG organization official said, “There are no changes to Im Chan-gyu’s start on the 18th.”

In particular, it is reported that Im Chan-gyu left the message “Jingshen yidao, heshi bucheng” ( ) in the LG players’ group messenger chat before this game.

This is a classical idiom meaning, “If you focus your spirit and effort on one thing, no matter how difficult it may be, you can surely achieve it.” The team’s atmosphere had sunk after defensive errors and other issues in Game 1. Veteran Im Chan-gyu conveyed a message urging his teammates not to waver and to maintain their concentration. Above all, even while going through a tragic event himself, he prioritized the team over concerns for himself, encouraging everyone to focus solely on the game.

Before this game, captain Park Hae-min met with reporters in the dugout and said, “I knew that (Im) Chan-gyu’s mother-in-law was unwell, but I did not expect her to pass away so suddenly. Chan-gyu himself is likely going through the most difficult time psychologically, yet he posted a message in the group chat first, probably because he did not want his teammates to worry about him or be distracted.” He added, “It was a situation where it was hard even to bring up the topic, but I am grateful that Chan-gyu reached out first. All the other players likely share the same sentiment,” reaffirming their determination.

LG set its starting lineup in the following order: Park Hae-min (center fielder), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Austin (designated hitter), Moon Jeong-bin (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Lee Jae-won (right fielder), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Koo Bon-hyuk (second baseman). Hong Chang-gi, who started as the leadoff hitter in Game 1, was left out. Instead, Park Hae-min will take the leadoff spot.

Park Hae-min said, “I do not think there is a big difference between batting first and second. Since Song Chan-ui, who is currently batting second, has good form at the plate, it is important for me to get on base somehow from up front. I will actively work to reach base to boost the team’s scoring power,” vowing to perform well. He also showed camaraderie toward Song Chan-ui, who committed an error in Game 1, saying, “After yesterday’s game, Hong Chang-gi and I kept encouraging him by telling him that it is already in the past and his turn at bat will come again. There are games today and tomorrow, and the series continues.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original