KIA → NC's Choi Won-joon, who has changed dramatically, hit .300 + flew super catch...I got rid of my impatience

Aug 17, 2025

KIA → NC's Choi Won-joon, who has changed dramatically, hit .300 flew super catch...I got rid of my impatience
Choi Won-jun for the interview. Reporter Kim Young-rok



KIA → NC's Choi Won-joon, who has changed dramatically, hit .300 flew super catch...I got rid of my impatience
The match between NC and Hanwha at Changwon NC Park on the 15th. NC Choi Won-joon, who is hitting. Changwon = Reporter Song Jeong-heon @sportschosun.com/2025.08.15/
KIA → NC's Choi Won-joon, who has changed dramatically, hit .300 flew super catch...I got rid of my impatience
photo courtesy of NC Dinos
"If I feel the same way, I want to be the fourth hitter." I'm enjoying baseball because I'm playing as a second hitter now."

Did the 'defending champion' and the prospective FA feel too heavy.

Choi Won-joon (28), who changed his uniform, has changed significantly. NC Dinos coach Lee Ho-joon's expectations are becoming a reality as they are.




The batting average, which had crossed the Mendoza line throughout the season, has already risen to .300 (18 hits in 60 at-bats in 15 games), and has firmly established itself as the main center fielder in defense.

In the match against the Hanwha Eagles in Changwon on the 17th, he performed a perfect performance, adding two runs and two RBIs to the multi-base hit with one hit and one walk from three times at bat.

In the end, he even showed a super catch reminiscent of Spider-Man in defense. It was an even more important moment because NC led 9-4 in the top of the seventh inning, but right after pitcher Kim Young-kyu gave Hanwha Son Ah-seop a solo shot in pursuit and a walk to Noh Si-hwan.




Chae Eun-sung's well-hit ball flew to the deepest point in the left-center of NC Park, but Choi Won-joon leaned slightly against the fence and captured the location of the fall ball, then jumped and kicked the ball up amazingly.

It was a super catch that shocked both teams' dugouts. Kim Young-kyu took off his hat and expressed his gratitude and respect, and winning pitcher Kim Nok-won was caught on camera with his mouth open and surprised.

KIA → NC's Choi Won-joon, who has changed dramatically, hit .300 flew super catch...I got rid of my impatience
사진=MBC스포츠+, Tving 캡쳐
Choi Won-joon, who met after the game, said "I'm always preparing thinking that the ball will come." Also, our pitchers are in a very difficult situation, and the weather is very hot these days. be willing to help at any time," he said with a big smile.




Then "I think there was a little more difficult defense I've played in my life"I still have to go faster and wait, but I don't think it's that slow, but I thought about many things. I prepared a lot of the characteristics of the NC Park outfield with the coach, so I was able to jump accurately"I looked back at the moment of glory.

Just watching the game makes me feel lighter after moving to NC compared to my KIA days. Choi Won-joon himself did not deny it.

"Thanks to the data team's care, I revised my batting form little by little, but the coach trusts me so much, and I feel it in my heart, so I'm definitely playing baseball mentally and comfortably. Compared to the days of KIA, baseball stress has disappeared a lot."

Choi Won-joon was traded to NC with Lee Woo-sung and Hong Jong-pyo on July 28. Choi Won-jun said "In fact, there was a lot of pressure because the director took a picture of me and Woosung and brought him. However, I thought I would be too sorry if I was sluggish like in the first half. Woosung and I worked really hard this season, and I think it's good that we've joined forces again with the hope of being helpful to the team. The coach, the coach, and the players welcome us all at NC, so we're really happy," he stressed.

KIA → NC's Choi Won-joon, who has changed dramatically, hit .300 flew super catch...I got rid of my impatience
Choi Won-jun for the interview. Reporter Kim Young-rok
"Actually, I was the FA this year, and KIA had a very different atmosphere from last year. It was a season of running while dreaming of a dynasty. In the meantime, it became so difficult, and I was in a hurry as I kept going back and forth in the second division. I kept getting plays that weren't supposed to come out."

Choi Won-joon is also a particularly talkative player in the dugout or locker room. He said "There is something that is clearly helpful to learn from your seniors and to talk to your younger siblings. He also laughed, saying, "It hasn't been long since I came to NC, so I tend to bother him by making him talk as much as possible to get closer to me."

In the days of KIA, he started as an infielder and moved to the outfield through multiple internal and external games. Even after transforming into an outfielder, he went through center field and recently watched right field, and often played as a first baseman and center fielder.

First of all, NC has a firm position as a center fielder. Choi Won-joon said, `I felt like I won last year and settled down as a center fielder. This year, it seems that there was some influence as we moved back to right field. In NC, he nailed him to center field from the time he came and 'Don't feel the burden of defense. I think the key to playing more boldly is that you said you can do well.

Especially for batting order #2 "It's so good. I wanted to tell you one day," he smiled.

KIA → NC's Choi Won-joon, who has changed dramatically, hit .300 flew super catch...I got rid of my impatience
A match between NC and Hanwha at Changwon NC Park on the 15th. NC Choi Won-joon hit an RBI triple in the first inning. Changwon = Reporter Song Jeong-heon @sportschosun.com/2025.08.15/
"Is there a baseball player you want to hit in the bottom batting order?" As the story continued to warp, it was stressful for me to be called 'a player who hates the top batting line'. To be honest, I'm very good at baseball, so my dream is to hit the fourth batter, and I want to hit the top three batters. I appreciate the fact that I can go out steadily as a second batter now. That's how much I have to show you."

KIA lost on the day and KT Wiz and NC won, tied for fifth place. Choi Won-jun said, `I've been to fall baseball and won last year. All teams aim to reach the 5th round. I want to contribute to this fall baseball, and furthermore, to help the team win the championship"I repeatedly held myself together.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.