The Kiwoom Heroes, who finished at the bottom for two consecutive years, and the Hanwha Eagles, who have not been invited to the fall festival for seven consecutive years, promised a rebound this season.

On the 20th, at the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Media Day & Fan Fest held at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, the managers of all ten teams announced their intentions for the season. The most notable were Hong Won-ki, manager of Kiwoom, and Kim Kyung-moon, manager of Hanwha.

Manager Hong Won-ki noted, “I won’t say much. I will make sure to enter the media day last next year.” His determination to realize the dream of the first championship since the team's foundation was evident.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon of Hanwha expressed his desire to hold a fall festival at the newly opened Daejeon Hanwha Eagles Park this season.

He stated, “Hanwha is a team that boasts the strongest fandom. I apologize for not being able to host a fall festival for the past seven years. The coaching staff and players have all prepared diligently. We will definitely participate in the fall festival.”

Lee Bum-ho, manager of the KIA Tigers, who won the Korean Series last year, said, “Since our team achieved good results last year, we will work hard to reach that level again this year,” targeting a consecutive championship.

Park Jin-man, manager of Samsung, who advanced to the Korean Series for the first time in nine years, breaking expectations of low performance, expressed confidence, saying, “This year, we will make it a year to show that we are a strong team.”

Let's hear the intentions of the ‘Jamsil rivals’ Yeom Kyung-yeop, manager of the LG Twins, and Lee Seung-yeop, manager of the Doosan Bears. Manager Yeom stated, “I have taken the disappointments of last year to heart and worked hard with the players starting from the finishing training to spring camp and through to the exhibition games.”

He added, “We will strive to achieve both performance and player development this season. We will make sure to show fans enjoyable baseball. Please come to the ballpark and give us warm support.”

Manager Lee Seung-yeop, who held the motto “True effort does not betray” during his playing days, said, “Our Doosan Bears have sweated more than any other team since last fall until this spring.”

Kim Tae-hyang, manager of Lotte Giants, promised, “We have not made it to the fall baseball for several years, but this year the players prepared well. Young players have improved significantly, so we will definitely reach the fall baseball this year.”

New NC manager Lee Ho-jun said, “Although it’s my first time, I am fully prepared. Many young friends who haven’t been seen before will be participating.”

Lee Seung-yong, manager of SSG Landers, stated, “I truly felt the importance of a single win last year and have been diligently preparing since the fall. I will do my best to reach a higher goal beyond the postseason.”

Lee Kang-chul, manager of KT Wiz, noted, “We finished last season well and were welcomed due to our good performance, but I will prepare earnestly for a better season this year, just like our catchphrase (UP! GREAT KT’ (sub-title: Beyond limits, greater)).”

[OSEN]