"This Is Samsung!" Samsung Electronics Hits 140,000 Won, Empire Awakens as Wallet Opens... Daegu Samsung Lions Park and Big Bird Fans Fired Up

[Financial News] The bullish momentum of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., which has reached 140,000 won per share in the stock market, is spreading to its sports teams. After years of 'conservative baseball' and 'austerity,' both the Samsung Lions (baseball) and Suwon Samsung Bluewings (football) have finally opened their wallets wide.
It’s not just about spending money. Strong leadership and a clear vision have been added to the mix. This is why fans are exclaiming, “This is the Samsung we know!” It marks the return of Samsung’s first-place mentality from the early 21st century, when they famously declared that second place was never enough.
This year’s off-season for the Samsung Lions has been described as 'unprecedented.' At the center of it all is General Manager Jong-yeol Lee. While other clubs spent over 15 billion won, Lee dominated the free agent market with just 7.2 billion won.
The highlight is the 'return of Choi Hyoung-woo.' Once the heart of the Samsung dynasty, Choi is back in Daegu. This move goes beyond simply strengthening the roster. Despite being past his prime, Choi remains one of the league’s top talents. His promise to Kang Min-ho, “I’ll help you win a ring,” has become the most romantic story of this baseball winter.
The cleanup trio of Choi Hyoung-woo, Koo Ja-wook, and Lewin Díaz, combined with a balanced lineup, is considered the most formidable among the ten clubs. The foreign pitching staff features proven ace Ariel Jurado and MLB first-rounder Matt Manning. The previously thin catcher depth has been completely addressed by retaining Kang Min-ho and bringing in Park Sei-hyok and Jang Seung-hyun. The bullpen has also been reinforced with Yura Miyaji and Im Gi-yeong.
While there are still concerns about the closer role, most agree that 'everything possible has been done to win.' The team is now ready to restart the championship clock, which has been stopped since 2014, aiming to reclaim the title after 12 years.


The transformation of Suwon Samsung Bluewings is even more dramatic. To overcome the disappointment of failing to secure promotion after finishing second in K League 2, the club appointed 'K League’s top tactician' Lee Jung-hyo with the highest compensation in its history. Not only the coach, but his entire staff was brought in. Upon taking office, Lee referenced Chelsea Football Club (Chelsea) in England’s Premier League. He aims to blend defensive trends with attacking tactics to create a unique Suwon style.
The squad is also impressive. Lee Jung-hyo has brought in his protégé Jeong Ho-yeon and last season’s 10-goal scorer Reis, as well as national team center-back Hong Jeong-ho, solidifying the team’s spine. The primary goal is direct promotion, but Lee’s Suwon is looking far beyond that.


The aggressive moves by both clubs are a response to the passionate support of their fans. Last season, despite finishing fourth in the regular season, Samsung Lions attracted over 1.6 million spectators, leading the KBO League in attendance. Regardless of results, every day at Daegu Samsung Lions Park is a festival. There is now talk that 'getting a ticket is nearly impossible.'
The same goes for Suwon Samsung. Despite the humiliation of relegation to the second division, the club boasted an average attendance of over 12,000 last season, surpassing many K League 1 teams. This proves the explosive potential of the fan base if the team performs well.
The blueprint for 2026 is clear: a 'championship challenge' for baseball under manager Park Jin-man and a 'promotion war' for football under manager Lee Jung-hyo. Since 2014, Samsung Lions have not lifted the championship trophy and have spent considerable time near the bottom of the standings. Suwon Samsung Bluewings have suffered the added humiliation of relegation to the second division.
Samsung fans have endured a long wait. Now, the clubs have responded with bold investment and innovation. The counterattack of the 'Samsung Empire,' set to turn Daegu Samsung Lions Park and Big Bird into seas of blue, has already begun.

jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter