BTS' J-Hope to Throw First Pitch at Korean Series Game in Gwangju After Military Discharge
Oct 23, 2024
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BTS member J-Hope will take the mound at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju for the second game of the 2024 KBO League Korean Series.
According to a report from Sports Chosun, J-Hope is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch for Game 2 of the Korean Series between the Kia Tigers and the Samsung Lions on the 23rd. Originally, he was slated to pitch for Game 2 on the 22nd, but that game was canceled due to rain. The sudden schedule change left fans disappointed, and J-Hope expressed his regret by posting on social media, saying, "It's raining."
Despite the disruption, J-Hope decided to honor his commitment, particularly given his deep connection to his hometown of Gwangju and loyalty to the KIA Tigers. The BTS rapper has long shown his affection for Gwangju and KIA, even referencing them in the BTS song "Ma City" with lyrics like "I'm Gwangju Baby in Jeollanam-do" and "I put KIA and started the engine like crazy." His decision to throw the first pitch adds a personal touch to the Kia Tigers’ potential victory in the Korean Series.
This marks J-Hope’s first official public appearance after his military discharge on the 17th. He had served as an assistant in the military since enlisting in April of last year. The news of his first pitch has sparked excitement among both K-pop fans and the baseball community. Now, with the game expected to proceed as planned, fans are eagerly anticipating his appearance.
Notably, J-Hope will be the first BTS member to throw the first pitch at a professional baseball game in Korea. While the group as a whole threw the first pitch at a Japanese professional baseball game in June 2017 — during a matchup between the Hanshin Tigers and Nippon Ham Fighters at Koshien Stadium — this marks the first solo pitch in Korea by a BTS member. At that time, Jungkook represented the group on the mound.
As J-Hope steps onto the mound, all eyes will be on him, with fans wondering if he will bring good luck to the Kia Tigers as their "winning fairy."
rightlight@sportschosun.com
