Tears welled up at the words of the master...I didn't scold him. The behind-the-scenes story of Choi Jae-hoon

Aug 07, 2025

Tears welled up at the words of the master...I didn't scold him. The behind-the-scenes story of Choi Jae-hoon
The match between Hanwha and KIA at Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon on the 9th. Hanwha won 7-4 against KIA. Choi Jae-hoon and Kim Seo-hyun are sharing the joy of winning after the game. Daejeon =Reporter Song Jeong-heon@sportschosun.com/2025.07.09/



Tears welled up at the words of the master...I didn't scold him. The behind-the-scenes story of Choi Jae-hoon
최재훈. Photo courtesy = Hanwha Eagles
"I was criticized a lot."

Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 5th. Hanwha, which had a 2-0 lead, allowed a large number of five runs in the top of the eighth inning. The pitcher who came up with the start of the eighth inning was Han Seung-hyuk. He struck out leadoff hitter Oh Yoon-seok, but Hwang Jae-gyun hit a home run. After that, Jang Jin-hyuk's walk and Kang Hyun-woo's hit made it a crisis with one out and runners on first and third bases.

Hanwha posted closer Kim Seo-hyun (21). Kim Seo-hyun, who settled down as the closing pitcher this season, was leading Hanwha's run with 24 saves.




Kim Seo-hyun, who was reborn as the best closing pitcher in the league, was not always good. The first batter was on the verge of loading the bases when the ball hit Lee Jung-hoo, and eventually allowed a 2-2 tie with Huh Kyung-min's sacrifice fly. Kim Seo-hyun could hardly find stability. Ahn Hyun-min's hit ball came out once again to load the bases. In the end, the slider thrown at Kang Baek-ho was attacked, allowing a sweeping hit.

Kim Seo-hyun eventually came down the mound. Choi Jae-hoon, who worked together, was also replaced.

Tears welled up at the words of the master...I didn't scold him. The behind-the-scenes story of Choi Jae-hoon
Kim Seo-hyun (left) listening to Choi Jae-hoon. MBC Sports Plus broadcast screen capture
Immediately after the replacement, Choi Jae-hoon was seen talking to Kim Seo-hyun about something. Kim Seo-hyun bit her lips with a firm expression and nodded at Choi Jae-hoon's words and answered.




Some said that Choi Jae-hoon scolded Kim Seo-hyun. There were also criticisms against Choi Jae-hoon.

One day later, after the game on Thursday, Choi talked about the situation. It was a story that gave me confidence, not a scolding.

Choi Jae-hoon said, `I think it's the best that a 22-year-old (21 years old) has made so many saves. To Seo-hyun 'You're the end of our team. It's the best finish, but I don't look confident. I said, 'I can't hit your ball, so throw it confidently in the middle.'"




Kim Seo-hyun's response also embarrassed Choi Jae-hoon. Choi Jae-hoon said ", and suddenly Seohyun cried. The fans misunderstood the appearance."

Choi Jae-hoon continued "I'm not really angry. With a good story, I complimented him for finishing our team at 22. While saying that, 'I don't want that expression to be revealed tomorrow. He patted his head saying, 'Throw your ball confidently on the mound.'"

Tears welled up at the words of the master...I didn't scold him. The behind-the-scenes story of Choi Jae-hoon
김서현. Photo courtesy = Hanwha Eagles
Kim Seo-hyun also took the mound in the game on the 6th, but he did not finish the game. Kim Seo-hyun, who took the mound with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, struck out Jang Jin-hyuk. However, after walking leadoff hitter Kwon Dong-jin in the top of the ninth inning, he struck out Andrew Stevenson on three pitches, but allowed three runs on walks and consecutive hits. The 5-1 game was narrowed to 5-4, and Han Seung-hyuk eventually took the mound to end the game.

Although he failed to fulfill his duties as a closer for two consecutive days, Choi Jae-hoon believed in Kim Seo-hyun's performance. Choi Jae-hoon "Seohyun is our team's finisher. I think we should experience this a lot. I think that's how I become a bigger player. I think he'll throw well" he said.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.