The global baseball festival '2026 World Baseball Classic (hereinafter WBC)' is 20 days away from opening. Meanwhile, KBS is zeroing in on South Korean baseball fans with the 'jackpot duo' commentator Park Yong-taek and Commissioner Lee Dae-hyung, who combine outstanding commentary skills with perfect visuals.
KBS unveiled a concept poster for the broadcast team, nicknamed the 'jackpot duo' Park Yong-taek and Commissioner Lee Dae-hyung and caster Lee Dong-geun, in a 'Men in Black' concept for the 2026 WBC broadcasts running from March 5 to 17. Not only the two commentators but also caster Lee Dong-geun look as well suited to black suits as the protagonists of the film 'Men in Black,' and they hold the memory-deleting device 'neuralyzer' with the impactful slogan 'forget past commentary,' drawing laughs.
Park Yong-taek, one of baseball's 'living legends,' is known as a 'sharp-witted commentator' who accurately analyzes on-site situations and points them out without reservation, adding to listeners' enjoyment. In this 'WBC' he is expected to use his distinctive wit to convey the atmosphere of the field directly to home viewers.
Lee Dae-hyung, who will join Park Yong-taek as the commentary duo, rose to prominence as the 'razor commentator' for his remarkable prediction accuracy based on the instincts he developed as a player, establishing himself as a unique presence among baseball fans. Whether Lee Dae-hyung's 'razor commentary' predictions will continue to hit the mark this time is another fun point to watch.
Caster Lee Dong-geun anchors the broadcast with composed yet powerful hosting. He smoothly carries the flow of the game and serves as a bridge effectively connecting the analyses of the 'jackpot duo' commentators Park Yong-taek and Commissioner Lee Dae-hyung. The well-synchronized chemistry of the two commentators and caster Lee Dong-geun is expected to vividly convey the WBC's intense on-site atmosphere.
The 'strongest broadcast team,' which also captures attention with historically warm visuals, will begin its WBC journey starting with the broadcast of the national team's official exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers, airing on KBS2 starting at 11:40 a.m. on Monday, March 2. The second official exhibition against the Orix Buffaloes will also be broadcast on KBS2 starting at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3.
Meanwhile, on March 7 (Saturday) and March 8 (Sunday), when Korea plays Japan and Taiwan respectively, a full pregame 'preview show' is scheduled to raise the excitement. The preview show will feature 'baseball maniac' Kim Gu Ra, who also served as the KBS preview show MC in the 2023 WBC, 'baseball fairy' announcer Hong Joo-yeon, and commentator Jo Seong-hwan, a former Lotte Giants player. Representing baseball fans' perspectives, they will give viewers waiting for the WBC everything from news about Korea's national team on site to all the WBC rumors. The 'WBC' preview show will air on KBS2 ahead of the Japan game at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, and ahead of the Taiwan game at 11:10 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.
[Photo] KBS
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