He was such a crazy presence that it’s hard to believe he wasn’t selected. Hwang Sung-bin (27-Lotte Giants) lived up to his nickname, “The Demon King,” with a performance that tore up the All-Star Game.
The Dream All-Stars (SSG, Doosan, Lotte, KT, Samsung) lost 2-4 to the Nanum All-Stars (LG, NC, Kiwoom, KIA, Hanwha) in the 2024 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO All-Star Game at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on June 6. It was Nanum’s third consecutive victory in the All-Star Game, tying the series at 4-4 since the All-Star Game was reorganized into the Dream-Nanum format in 2015.
With a sellout crowd of 22,500 fans packed into Incheon SSG Landers Field from the start, the players delivered their well-rehearsed performances. Kim Do-young (KIA) parodied Ryu Sun-jae, the protagonist of the recently concluded popular drama “Sun-jae Up and Bounce,” while Ronnie Dawson (Kiwoom), who has endeared himself to Korean baseball fans with his supreme friendliness, drew laughs when he appeared with a model of a marathon covered in marutang. There was also Austin Dean (LG), who fulfilled a childhood dream by cosplaying as a pizza delivery man.
But it was Hwang Sungbin’s delivery performance that stole the show. At the end of the third inning, Hwang appeared with his delivery scooter, wearing a helmet with the words ‘Demon King of Delivery’ written on it. Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung, who was standing as the first base coach, laughed and high-fived him. The scoreboard read, “Hit delivery, not ma huang, but la (ether) huang.
Unlike many of the players who took the time to prepare for their appearances, Hwang’s preparation was on a different level. Hwang took a four-pitch slider from Kim Young-gyu (NC) and sprinted to the plate for an infield single. It was a play that showcased both his strength and his quick feet. After reaching 19사이트 first base, Hwang proudly unfolded his ‘delivery complete’ paper, drawing laughter from the fans.
Now was the key. Hwang Sung-bin had caused controversy earlier in the season with his infield play that provoked opposing pitchers. Even coach Kim Tae-hyung wanted him to refrain. But this time was different. He turned a bad memory into a laugh. A Lotte official explained, “It was a ceremony that utilized the image of Hwang Sung-bin’s speed and made use of the meaning of quick delivery.” Knowing that, Kim Young-kyu and the fans on the mound were able to smile.
It didn’t end there. Hwang packed the rosin in a Chinese restaurant metal bag labeled “express delivery” before pitching the next inning. He then ran to the mound and handed the rosin to his teammate Park Se-woong (Lotte), who was warming up. Park handed him 10,000 won for the delivery, and when Hwang tried to get change, Park refused. Hwang Sung-bin, who was playing left field, handed the iron bag to the ball boy and went into defense. Later, Hwang Sung-bin revealed that the play was Park Se-woong’s idea.