Former baseball player Yoon Suk-min, known for his impressive career earnings of 9 billion won, was cheered on by his mother-in-law, actress Kim Ye-ryeong, at a recent game.
JTBC's 'The Strongest Baseball' has topped the TV-OTT non-drama category for two consecutive weeks in January, according to Good Data Corporation's FUNdex. The 137th episode, which confirmed the 'Strongest Series' victory, recorded a viewership rating of 1.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area, as per Nielsen Korea.
In the 138th episode, the second live game of the season features a special match between 'The Strongest Breakers' and the 'Seoul Baseball Elite High School Team.'
The 'Seoul Baseball Elite High School Team' was formed by selecting 23 top players from tryouts involving 14 high schools, showcasing future KBO stars. The match has drawn attention as a 'preview of the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft,' with scouts from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Doosan Bears attending to evaluate the talent.
As expected from a '2027 Rookie Draft Preview,' the high school aces' performances captivate KBO legends. Yoon Suk-min, observing the young pitchers, confidently predicts, "At least a second-round first pick." Coach Lee Jong-beom is impressed by the spirited play of the high school aces, exclaiming, "Their spirit is unmatched!" Meanwhile, Yoon Gil-hyun expresses optimism for the future of Korean baseball, saying, "They'll excel as national representatives."
The intense matchup between the seasoned legends and the next-generation aces electrifies the Gocheok Sky Dome. Notably, Miyeon from (G)I-DLE is seen in the stands, adorably mimicking Kim Tae-kyun's signature ceremony and cheering with dolphin-like shouts, unable to take her eyes off the dopamine-inducing game.
Yoon Suk-min's mother-in-law, actress Kim Ye-ryeong, known for her roles in dramas like 'The Great King's Dream,' 'Fight for My Way,' 'Now, We Are Breaking Up,' 'The Perfect Marriage,' and 'No Blood No Tears,' also attended to support him. Her striking resemblance to her daughter, Kim Soo-hyun, caught the attention of many. During Yoon's appearance, Kim Ye-ryeong enthusiastically cheered, "Go Yoon Suk-min!" showing her affection for her son-in-law.
The showdown between the Korean baseball legends 'The Strongest Breakers' and the future of Korean baseball, the 'Seoul Baseball Elite High School Team,' can be watched on the main broadcast of 'The Strongest Baseball.'
Meanwhile, 'The Strongest Baseball' airs tonight at 10:30 PM on JTBC.
Reporter Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr