From a 6.4 billion won blockbuster deal to serving as a foot soldier on a “50 million won salary”—Son Ah-seop swallows the sting of being released and makes a dramatic return to NC after two years

[Financial News] Veteran contact hitter Son Ah-seop, 38, who ranks third in career hits in KBO League history, will don the uniform of his former team, NC Dinos, again after two years.
NC officially announced on the 28th that it had signed an entry contract with outfielder Son Ah-seop on the 27th for an annual salary of 50 million won. Son had been at a crossroads over whether to continue his playing career after Doosan Bears informed him on the 19th that he was being released. He will now join the NC squad next January and continue his record-setting career.
Son Ah-seop’s recent career has been eventful. Once the league’s premier contact hitter, he moved to NC in December 2021 after signing a major free-agent deal worth 6.4 billion won over four years. But his performance began to decline in the 2024 season, and in July 2025, the final year of his contract, he suffered the blow of being traded to the Hanwha Eagles.
After the 2025 season, he became eligible for free agency once again, but amid the market’s harsh assessment, he had to sign a one-year, 100 million won deal with Hanwha. He changed into a Doosan Bears uniform again in April this year, but ultimately could not escape being released late in the season.



But NC focused on the veteran’s experience and the value he could still bring to the team.
NC General Manager Im Seon-nam said, “Son Ah-seop is a veteran with a wealth of experience,” adding, “We expect him to bring more variety to our lineup, which is built around right-handed hitters, as a left-handed hitter.” He added, “I hope his experience and know-how will have a positive impact on the entire team.”
Son Ah-seop, who currently ranks third in KBO League career hits with 2,655, behind Choi Hyoung-woo (Samsung, 2,734) and Kim Hyun-soo (KT, 2,691), also made no secret of how eager he was.

Son Ah-seop said of his return, “I’m glad to be able to play for NC again,” adding, “I’ll do my best with my teammates and show everyone a strong performance next season.”


[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter