Kim Won-joong recalled, "I went to eat, and the three teams at the restaurant fought with each other, saying, 'I'll pay for it.' One day, I visited to take out chicken, but they said they wouldn't pay me, so I went to the convenience store and bought some drinks and brought them to you." From fans I meet on the street, I keep hearing greetings from them, "Thank you for staying. Please do better and play baseball longer."

Kim Won-joong, who became a free agent after the 2024 season, remained with Lotte under a four-year contract worth 5.4 billion won (approx. "I thought loyalty, identity, and symbolism were more valuable when I remained with the club, rather than leaving with more money," Kim said at the time. His "unity" toward Lotte impressed his fans.토토사이트

Kim Won-joong, a graduate of Hakgang Elementary School, Gwangju Dongseong Middle School, and Gwangju Dongseong High School, was a native of Gwangju. He had no special relationship with Busan. Strangely, he felt affection for Lotte. "It seemed like Lotte baseball was so much fun. There were many fans and questions about other regions," said Kim when he watched Lotte Baseball in the early 2010s under manager Jerry Royster.

Although he admired Kim, he did not expect to be nominated. Kim Won-joong, who participated in the rookie draft in 2012, was not confident because his performance was not good when he was a senior in high school. However, Lotte picked Kim as the fifth pick in the first round.

He needed time to adjust to his life in Busan. "In Gwangju, when we order food at a restaurant, they give us national rice and Korean table d'hote, just like Korean food. But in Busan, they don't give us soup even though we order meat and eat. That's why I was taken aback," Kim Won-joong said with a smile.

Of all Lotte players, he was a roommate with Lee Myung-woo, who has a strong Busan accent. "I was on the team bus with new sunglasses on, and Lee Myung-woo asked, 'Won-joong, did you give it away?'" Kim Won-joong recalled. "I said, 'I have nothing to get off,' and he said, 'No, did you buy one?'"

It took similar time for Kim to play his role in the first team. Kim Won-joong, who stayed in the Futures League due to frequent injuries after joining the team, made his first debut in the first team in 2015 after finishing his full-time military service as a reserve. However, he failed to move forward. He first played full-time in the first team in 2017. He started his career in the first team as a starting pitcher in 24 games, winning seven and losing eight with a 5.70 ERA.

Kim Won-joong, who had been a starter for three years but failed to advance further, had a turning point in his baseball career. He was encouraged to switch to finishing. At the time, Kim also felt that a change was needed. "I thought that I should not be left behind. I had a lot of thoughts that I should make my strengths and upgrade them unconditionally," he said.

Kim Won-joong, who finished his career in 2020, made 25 saves to successfully transform himself. Last year, he became the first player to make 100 saves in his career, and has 132 saves so far this year to become the league's representative closing pitcher.

Looking back after signing the contract with the FA, he was close to the goal he had been aiming for since joining the team. "I had a goal to become a player representing Lotte. When my name was included after the team name, I thought I should be a player who is not ashamed of myself," Kim Won-joong said.

Lotte is a popular team that represents the KBO League. Kim Won-joong described Lotte as "love-hate relationship." "Fans cheer for Lotte when they are good, and curse when they are bad, but there are things that other teams cannot feel. Other teams are also popular, but Lotte feels something different," he said. "The only way to explain this is to know when you run."

After cutting his long hair to find his initial commitment with an FA contract, Kim said, "I really hope my team will be at a high place next season. No matter how many times I ask any professional baseball player, everyone's goal is to reach the top. My team is strengthening. I believe I will be able to do well next season."

Kim Won-joong, who started preparing for next year early, feels more responsible. "I know that I have to do well to win a lot. I will only care about the team winning a lot," he said.