KT Wiz, After Missing Out on Kang Baek-ho and Chan Ho Park, Bets 5 Billion Won Fully Guaranteed on Hyun-soo Kim—A Bold Move Driven by Urgency

[Financial News] The final spark of the professional baseball offseason ignited in Suwon. After missing out on superstar FAs Kang Baek-ho (Hanwha Eagles) and Chan Ho Park (Doosan Bears), KT Wiz ultimately offered veteran Hyun-soo Kim (37) a three-year deal worth a total of 5 billion won, all fully guaranteed. This unprecedented bet was fueled by painful gaps in the roster and a sense of urgency.
On the 25th, KT Wiz announced, "We have signed FA outfielder Hyun-soo Kim to a three-year contract worth a total of 5 billion won, including a 3 billion won signing bonus and 2 billion won in total salary." This marks Hyun-soo Kim’s third FA contract in his career and his second fully guaranteed deal since returning to Korea. Following his 115 billion won, four-year contract with LG in 2018, this latest deal again highlights the club’s bold decision to take on risk.
In fact, KT Wiz was the biggest loser of this winter’s offseason. They let franchise star Kang Baek-ho go to Hanwha Eagles and lost the race for Chan Ho Park to Doosan Bears. The resulting void in the roster was significant, and fan sentiment turned cold. Ultimately, amid internal consensus that "results are needed immediately," KT Wiz selected veteran Hyun-soo Kim as their replacement card.
Hyun-soo Kim boasts an illustrious career: in 2,221 games, he has a .312 batting average, 261 home runs, and 1,522 RBIs. Among players with over 8,000 plate appearances in the KBO League, he ranks fourth in batting average and third in total hits (2,532). By the numbers, he remains a living legend. However, considering his age (late 30s), defensive burden, and the risks of a long-term contract, a three-year fully guaranteed deal is unusual even by league standards. Such terms would not have been possible without KT Wiz’s sense of urgency.

LG simply could not afford to retain Hyun-soo Kim. They had already committed an unexpectedly large sum of 6.5 billion won to Park Hae-min, and next year, key players Hong Chang-ki and Park Dong-won will become free agents—both of whom are expected to command even higher salaries than Park Hae-min or Hyun-soo Kim.
From LG’s perspective, while they respected Hyun-soo Kim’s symbolic value, the realities of generational change and financial redistribution were unavoidable. In the end, LG prepared for a graceful farewell with Hyun-soo Kim, and KT Wiz seized the opportunity.
Na Dohyeon, general manager of KT Wiz, stated, "Hyun-soo Kim is one of the league’s top hitters and will be even more explosive at Suwon kt wiz Park. We expect him to play a central role both on and off the field." Suwon kt wiz Park is known as a hitter-friendly stadium, with shorter outfield fences than Jamsil and balls traveling farther in the summer. The club believes Hyun-soo Kim can rediscover his power-hitting form.
Hyun-soo Kim commented, "I am grateful to KT Wiz for recognizing my value. I apologize for the lengthy negotiations. I will lead by example to help the team achieve good results. I also sincerely thank the LG fans." His words reflected a complex mix of emotions.
Ultimately, this deal is more than just a standard FA signing. By losing both Kang Baek-ho and Chan Ho Park, KT Wiz opted for pragmatism over pride. Hyun-soo Kim is a representative hitter in the league, combining leadership, experience, and batting balance. However, the fully guaranteed 5 billion won attached to him symbolizes KT Wiz’s desperation.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter