'18kg Weight Loss' Hwang Jae-kyun to Attend Retirement Ceremony with a Transformed Look... Heatwave Cancellation → Rescheduled for September 13 vs. Lotte [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Former professional baseball player Hwang Jae-kyun is finally holding his retirement ceremony.

On the 2nd, Hwang posted on his personal SNS: "I am now able to deliver my final farewell that was postponed. On September 13 at 5 p.m., at Suwon Baseball Stadium. I have spent a great deal of time here and shared many moments with you all. Whether it was days filled with laughter or days marked by regret, looking back, they remain as grateful memories."

He continued, "As player Hwang Jae-kyun, I will bid farewell from the field for the last time. Thank you sincerely for calling my name and cheering for me over these long years. On this final day, I will wait for you on the very field I loved. See you on September 13 in Suwon," extending an invitation to fans.

Hwang began his professional career after being selected by Hyundai Unicorns as the 24th pick in the second round of the third round of the 2006 KBO Rookie Draft. He later played for Heroes and Lotte, and in 2016, he stepped onto the Major League Baseball (MLB) stage through the San Francisco Giants. Returning to Korea in 2018, Hwang signed a four-year, 8.8 billion won free agent contract with KT, forming his first bond with the team.

Since then, playing exclusively for KT, he led the team to five consecutive postseason appearances starting from 2021. In 2021, serving as captain, he guided KT to its first-ever regular-season title and Korean Series championship, becoming a key figure in their integrated victory. Although he maintained his presence in the first division afterward, he announced his retirement before the start of the 2026 season, leaving fans disappointed.

KT planned to hold Hwang's retirement ceremony during its home game against Lotte Giants on August 8. However, due to an unprecedented and extreme heatwave, the game was canceled, leading to the postponement of the retirement event. The club eventually adjusted the schedule and now plans to proceed with the retirement ceremony again during a home game against Lotte Giants on September 13.

Meanwhile, after retiring from his playing career, Hwang has joined SM C&C, a renowned management company, to officially embark on a path as a broadcaster. He is currently active as a sports entertainer alongside Kang Ho-dong, Jeon Hyun-moo, Seo Jang-hoon, Jang Sung-kyu, Jang Do-yeon, Jang Young-ran, and Kwak Tube, sharing meals with them.

Recently, on the program "Omniscient Interfering View," he revealed that he decided to diet after retirement because he disliked gaining weight, and through rigorous management, he achieved a body with 3.2 kg of fat mass and a body fat percentage of 3.9%. However, following the cancellation of his retirement ceremony, he gained attention for his humorous overeating scenes.

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

*This content was translated by AI.