The Doosan Bears have made a bold move to reshape their future, officially announcing the appointment of Kim Won-hyung as their new manager on October 20, 2025. This decision comes after a turbulent season that saw the team fall to ninth place in the KBO League standings, their lowest finish since 2022, and miss out on the postseason. Kim, 53, brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach, and his arrival is already generating excitement and hope among the Bears’ faithful.
Kim’s contract is set for 2+1 years, with a maximum value of 2 billion KRW, including a 500 million KRW signing bonus and annual salary, along with performance incentives. The Bears’ front office didn’t hide their rationale for the hire, emphasizing Kim’s rare pedigree: “Kim Won-hyung is the only manager in KBO history to have led a team to a ‘wire-to-wire’ championship. His abilities in pitching development and team management are highly regarded. We believe he is the right person to rebuild a championship-caliber roster through healthy competition among our young players.”
Kim’s journey to the Doosan helm is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. He first made his mark as a player, debuting in 1991 with the Ssangbangwool Raiders after graduating from Jeonju High School. Over 21 seasons, Kim appeared in 545 games, amassing 134 wins, 144 losses, 26 saves, and 12 holds, with a career ERA of 3.92. His longevity and consistency as a pitcher earned him respect throughout the league.
Upon retirement, Kim wasted little time transitioning to coaching. He began his coaching career with the Hanwha Eagles in 2003 and quickly gained a reputation for his sharp baseball mind and ability to nurture pitching talent. His coaching path took him to the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers), Lotte Giants, and eventually the Doosan Bears, where he served as pitching coach from 2019 to 2020. During his two-year stint with Doosan, the pitching staff flourished, leading the league with a team ERA of 3.91—an achievement that underscored Kim’s impact.
Kim’s next major chapter unfolded with the SSG Landers, where he was named manager in 2021. Just a year later, he orchestrated one of the most remarkable feats in KBO history: guiding the Landers to a ‘wire-to-wire’ championship in 2022. The team never relinquished first place from opening day through the end of the regular season, a first in league history. Kim’s managerial record in the KBO stands at 432 games, 230 wins, 181 losses, and 21 draws, for a winning percentage of .560. Despite this success, his tenure with SSG ended after a disappointing 2023 postseason, when the team was swept in three games by the NC Dinos in the playoffs.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Kim sought to broaden his horizons, undertaking coaching stints with the Japanese SoftBank Hawks and participating in a short-term pitching development program at Driveline Baseball in the United States. By March 2025, he was back in the dugout, this time as the pitching coach for the South Korean national team, preparing for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. His commitment to continual learning and international experience has only strengthened his reputation as a forward-thinking baseball mind.
Reflecting on his new role, Kim expressed a mix of pride and humility. “It is an infinite honor and a tremendous responsibility to take the helm of the prestigious Doosan Bears. I am sincerely grateful to the club for this opportunity,” Kim stated. He continued, “The Doosan Bears have always been a team that pressures opponents with dynamic play on the field. I will lead the way in reviving the ‘Hustle Doo’ culture and strive to inspire our fans.”
The Bears’ decision to hire Kim marks a significant departure from their recent tradition of appointing rookie managers. Since 2003, each Doosan skipper, from Kim Kyung-moon to Lee Seung-yeop, made their managerial debut with the club. Of those, only Kim Tae-hyung managed to deliver three championships during his seven-year tenure. The front office’s move to bring in a proven winner like Kim signals a shift in philosophy—a clear desire to return to the KBO’s elite.
This new era comes after a season filled with instability. The Bears parted ways with former manager Lee Seung-yeop in June 2025 due to disappointing results, handing interim duties to Cho Sung-hwan for the remainder of the season. Under Cho, the team posted a 38-3-45 record and a .458 winning percentage, but it wasn’t enough to climb out of the bottom half of the standings. The club’s leadership spent the offseason carefully vetting four managerial candidates before ultimately selecting Kim for his championship experience and unique leadership style.
Kim’s coaching philosophy centers on pitching excellence and robust team defense. He’s credited with developing the so-called ‘Wyverns Way’—a pitching-first approach that emphasizes fundamentals, preparation, and adaptability. His commitment to nurturing young arms and fostering a competitive environment has been widely praised, both during his previous Doosan stint and across the league.
Looking ahead, Kim faces the tall task of restoring the Bears’ winning tradition. The team’s recent struggles have been compounded by roster turnover, injuries, and the emergence of new league powerhouses. Yet, with Kim’s track record of maximizing pitching talent and his experience on the international stage, there’s a cautious optimism brewing in Jamsil.
“I will take the lead in rebuilding the vibrant ‘Hustle Doo’ spirit that has defined the Doosan Bears,” Kim reiterated in a statement released by the club. “We will build a team that excites our fans and challenges for championships through healthy competition and dynamic play.”
As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Kim and the Bears. Can he replicate the magic of his wire-to-wire triumph with SSG? Will his emphasis on pitching and defense spark a resurgence in Jamsil? One thing’s for sure: the Bears have made their intentions clear. With Kim Won-hyung at the helm, Doosan is aiming high, determined to return to the summit of Korean baseball.
With a proven winner now calling the shots and a renewed focus on the club’s storied culture, the Doosan Bears are ready to turn the page. Fans and rivals alike will be watching closely as this new chapter unfolds.
