Won Tae-in perfectly slips into the KIA uniform... The 'Monster Ace' who has also captured the hearts of Gwangju fans
Won Tae-in taking the mound at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field. It's no longer an unusual sight. It's been about two months since he transformed from a franchise star of the Samsung Lions into the new ace of the KIA Tigers. Already, the 'Won Tae-in KIA' combination is being hailed as a 'perfect match' among Gwangju fans. With the start of the 2026 regular season just around the corner, we bring you the latest local reactions and the high expectations surrounding him.
'Won Tae-in KIA' Review: The 'Gwangju DNA' is already kicking in
It usually takes time for a new recruit to settle into a team. But Won Tae-in has been different. Word has it that from spring camp onwards, he quickly broke down barriers with his teammates, generously sharing the know-how gained from his Korean Series championship experience. A look through the local fan-made compilation of 'Won Tae-in KIA' reactions reveals his adaptation isn't just down to his skill on the mound.
- Chemistry with the younger guys: He's been so proactive in giving pitch tips to the young pitchers that there's even a running joke about a 'Won Tae-in School' being established.
- Support from the batting lineup: His comment in an interview, "With our team's batting lineup, I can pitch comfortably even if they only give me five runs," drew big laughs from fans and proved he's quickly getting accustomed to the 'Gwangju way'.
- Fan service: His endless signing and smiles during a practice game autograph session completely erased his previous 'icy ace' image.
Practical Guide: Won Tae-in, bringing the 'Winning Formula' to the KIA mound
Won Tae-in's arrival has given the KIA starting rotation a solid anchor. The struggles of last season, with the bullpen suffering from overload late in the games, are now a thing of the past. On the days he pitches, there's a sense of relief knowing the bullpen can have a full day's rest. Local broadcasters are analysing the synergy of 'Won Tae-in KIA', noting that "game management becomes so much simpler when Won Tae-in is on the mound." A clear 'winning formula' is taking shape: grab an early lead and let Won Tae-in handle things through the 7th inning.
But it's not just his ability to eat up innings. Despite his youth, he has excellent crisis management skills. Even in a practice game on the 10th, after giving up consecutive hits with two outs, he showed his 'ace quality' by inducing a groundball from the next batter to minimise the damage. Gwangju fans who witnessed this are already sketching out their post-season plans, saying, "This year, we can confidently hand the ball to Won Tae-in in the autumn."
Of course, the real season starts now. The 144-game regular season is a long and tough road. But the 'Won Tae-in KIA' combination we've seen so far creates far more anticipation than any lingering concerns. Whether he will go on to write a new 'monster ace' legend in Gwangju remains to be seen, but the 2026 KIA Tigers' voyage has certainly set sail with the wind at their backs.