As the crisp autumn air settles over Jamsil Baseball Stadium, all eyes in the Korean baseball world turn to the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Korea Series, where the Hanwha Eagles are set to face the formidable LG Twins in Game 1. The anticipation is palpable—Hanwha, fresh off a hard-fought playoff victory over the Samsung Lions, has made bold roster decisions that could shape the outcome of this championship showdown.
On October 25, 2025, Hanwha’s manager Kim Kyung-moon announced the team’s official Korea Series (KS) entry list, a move that immediately sparked conversation throughout the league. The most headline-grabbing development? The exclusion of high-profile free agent pitcher Um Sang-baek from the KS roster. Um, who joined Hanwha last November on a four-year, 7.8 billion won contract, was initially seen as a cornerstone for the Eagles’ rotation. Yet, his regular season struggles—2 wins, 7 losses, a single hold, and a 6.58 ERA over 28 games—left coaches and fans alike questioning his postseason reliability.
Um’s postseason woes continued in the playoffs. In Game 2 of the series against Samsung, he took the mound in the top of the ninth with Hanwha trailing 1-5. After issuing a walk to Lee Jae-hyun and striking out Kim Tae-hoon, he gave up a two-run homer to Kang Min-ho, a blow that proved costly as Hanwha’s late rally fell short. The disappointment was felt keenly, and it became clear that the coaching staff was reevaluating their pitching options for the championship series.
Pitching coach Yang Sang-moon provided insight into the decision, stating, “LG has a lot of left-handed batters, so after a lot of deliberation, we made this choice. Um Sang-baek’s stuff has definitely improved since the start of the season, but in big games, he still needs more time. For him, this is a tough season, but we hope he’ll prepare well for next year.” According to Yang, the staff sought pitchers with a different repertoire to better counter LG’s lineup. “To face LG’s hitters, we needed someone with a bit more variety in their arsenal,” he explained.
Taking Um’s place on the KS roster are right-handed relievers Kim Jong-su and Yoon San-hyuk, two arms whose recent performances and unique pitching profiles offer Hanwha a strategic edge. Kim Jong-su, 31, missed out on the playoff roster but remained with the first team, training diligently and staying game-ready. He finished the regular season with 63 appearances, logging 63⅔ innings, a 4-5 record, five holds, and an impressive 3.25 ERA—ranking fourth in the team for innings pitched among relievers. “We agonized over who to remove from the pitching staff for the playoffs,” said Yang. “If anyone struggled, we were ready to bring Kim Jong-su into the Korea Series. I know he was disappointed, but he prepared well.”
Yoon San-hyuk, 26, is another intriguing addition. Having completed his military service in July, he rejoined the team in mid-August and quickly made his mark in relief. His arsenal—featuring a 150 km/h fastball, a sharp curve, and a biting slider—gives Hanwha a weapon against power-hitting lineups. Notably, Yoon delivered a strong outing as an emergency starter against the KIA Tigers on September 18, tossing three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Though he stumbled in his final regular season appearance against KT Wiz, he continued to hone his craft in the Miyazaki educational league in Japan, gaining valuable experience ahead of the postseason.
Manager Kim Kyung-moon, a seasoned leader with a reputation for tactical acumen, addressed the media on October 25 at KS Media Day. “We increased our pitching staff by one for the Korea Series because LG’s offense is so strong,” he explained. “We wanted to be ready for any situation. Our luck early in the season put us in a good position, and now we’re focused on maintaining our performance and bringing home the championship.” Kim’s confidence in his squad was evident, as he outlined plans to use closer Kim Seo-hyun in the ninth inning and to adjust bullpen strategy based on LG’s batting order throughout the series.
The rest of Hanwha’s roster features a mix of veterans and rising stars, all eager to contribute. Notably, infielder Kwon Kwang-min and veteran Ahn Chi-hong were left off the KS roster, signaling a commitment to a more dynamic, pitching-focused approach. Meanwhile, Hanwha’s ace Moon Dong-ju, who shone in relief during the playoffs, is slated to start Game 1 against LG’s foreign ace Anders Tolhurst, setting the stage for a classic pitchers’ duel.
For the LG Twins, the Korea Series represents a shot at redemption and a return to glory. Under manager Yeom Kyung-yeop, LG boasts a well-balanced lineup with nine established starters and a deep bullpen. While rookie right-hander Park Si-won and relievers Kim Jin-soo and Park Myung-geun have been added to the roster, the omission of struggling reliever Lee Ji-kang underscores LG’s focus on reliability in high-leverage situations. “Our starting nine is set,” Yeom said. “We chose Lee Young-bin for his ability to execute late-game strategies.”
Both teams arrive at the Korea Series with plenty to prove. Hanwha, making its first championship appearance since 2006, is hungry to cap off a season defined by resilience and adaptation. The Eagles’ journey through the playoffs—marked by tactical roster changes and the emergence of new pitching heroes—has already captured the imagination of their fans. With the Korea Series set to open on October 26 at Jamsil, the stage is set for a dramatic clash between two determined teams, each with its own compelling narrative.
As the first pitch draws near, questions linger: Will Hanwha’s revamped bullpen silence LG’s bats? Can Yoon San-hyuk and Kim Jong-su seize their moment on the big stage? One thing’s certain—the 2025 Korea Series promises high drama, strategic chess matches, and the kind of heart-stopping action that defines October baseball.
For now, both teams are locked in preparation, their sights set firmly on the championship trophy. With new faces ready to make their mark and seasoned veterans leading the charge, the battle for KBO supremacy is just getting started.
