The poker face, Hong Min-ki, laughed! Director Kim Tae-hyung's expression of affection is infinite...As much as you believed in the winner, responsibility ↑

Jul 26, 2025

The poker face, Hong Min-ki, laughed! Director Kim Tae-hyung's expression of affection is infinite...As much as you believed in the winner, responsibility ↑
The game between KIA and Lotte at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 25th. Hong Min-ki, who stopped the eighth inning without losing a point, is smiling. Busan = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.7.25/



The poker face, Hong Min-ki, laughed! Director Kim Tae-hyung's expression of affection is infinite...As much as you believed in the winner, responsibility ↑
The match between KIA and Lotte at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 25th. Hong Min-ki, who took the mound in the top of the seventh inning with one out and the bases loaded, is happy with one run. Busan = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.7.25/
The poker face, Hong Min-ki, laughed! Director Kim Tae-hyung's expression of affection is infinite...As much as you believed in the winner, responsibility ↑
The match between KIA and Lotte at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 25th. Hong Min-ki, who took the mound in the top of the seventh inning with the bases loaded with one out and blocked one run, is making a high five with Son Ho-young. Busan = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.7.25/
"The bullpen, who is responsible for difficult situations every moment, does a lot of work. In particular, I want to praise Hong Min-ki for blocking the first ⅔ inning well."

Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyung said, "Whenever Hong Min-ki's name comes out, I can't help but think of laughter on my face.

He kept his team's lead for one ⅔ of innings by inserting a maximum 154km fastball into the zone without hesitation. Lotte won 7-4 against the Busan KIA Tigers on the 25th with Yoon Dong-hee's come-from-behind two-run shot, Han Tae-yang's three hits and three RBIs, and Hong Min-ki, who worked hard at the waist.




KIA Wisdom allowed a first solo shot in the top of the fourth inning, and turned the game around 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, but was hit again by Oh Sun-woo in the top of the fifth inning.

However, Han Tae-yang's winning hit and Yoo Kang-nam's sacrifice fly in the sixth inning took the lead again at 5-3.

The top of the seventh inning was the match. Choi Jun-yong, a must-win group, came up, but Lotte center fielder Hwang Sung-bin's catch error came out when Park Chan-ho flew to center field after one out. Oh Sun-woo's infield hit and Wiz's walk loaded the bases.




We've already used up Jeong Cheol-won in the sixth inning. The Lotte bench's decision was decisive. Immediately, he raised Hong Min-ki.

Hwang Sungbin's unbelievable mistake. However, Hong Min-ki's after-sales management was reliable. Hong Min-ki held a one-point lead by striking out Choi Hyung-woo with a sacrifice fly to center field and Na Sung-beom.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Han Tae-yang's two-run timely hit broke out, and Hong Min-ki also blocked well in the top of the eighth inning and handed over the mound to closer Kim Won-joong.




The poker face, Hong Min-ki, laughed! Director Kim Tae-hyung's expression of affection is infinite...As much as you believed in the winner, responsibility ↑
The match between KIA and Lotte at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 25th. Yoo Kang-nam is encouraging Hong Min-ki, who took the mound in the top of the seventh inning with the bases loaded with one out. Busan = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.7.25/
Hong Min-ki's face, famous for his poker face, also showed a satisfied smile. In an interview with Sports Chosun in the past, Hong Min-ki said, `When I hit a home run, I don't think I'll feel very good if the batter's ceremony is big. That's why I tend to minimize the ceremony as well." On this day, he answered the dramatic match with a smile.

After the game, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung said, `Yoon Dong-hee's home run and Son Ho-young's base run, which came right after giving up the first run, were effective in not giving up the flow in the middle of the game. When extra points were needed in the sixth and seventh innings, Han Tae-yang's RBI made it possible to win the game"I looked back.

Then "I would like to praise Hong Min-ki for his good work in the bullpen, which is performing well in difficult situations at every moment, and for blocking 1.2 innings well."," he stressed.

Hong Min-ki's impressions were also extraordinary. He said "These days, (the coach) trusts me and puts me on the mound at an important moment. As such, I tried to take the mound confidently with responsibility today as well,' he said. `I thought the situation of taking the bases with one out in the seventh inning was the outcome of the game. "Trusting Yoo Kang-nam and throwing him according to his signature led to good results."

The poker face, Hong Min-ki, laughed! Director Kim Tae-hyung's expression of affection is infinite...As much as you believed in the winner, responsibility ↑
The game between KIA and Lotte at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 25th. Hong Min-ki, who stopped the eighth inning without losing a point, is smiling. Busan = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.7.25/
He has also been pitching in tight situations since the second half of the year. I don't want to miss it as much as you give me a good opportunity, and I'll do my best to meet expectations and help the team's performance in important times," he said, holding himself together.

Hong Min-ki, who once had a fast ball, was disappointed with his control that made it difficult for him to play in the first division. He is now a confident Lotte must-winner. The coaching staff's cries of "'Just look at the center and throw it away' finally became a reality. In addition to the strong fastball, the two types of sliders are also excellent.

The game on the 26th is a showdown between Lotte's Lee Min-seok and KIA's Lee Eui-ri.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.