Retired Baseball Star Hwang Jae-gyun Opens Up About Life After Divorce and Career

Hwang Jae-gyun, 38, who recently divorced T-ara's Jiyeon, 32, has shared his thoughts on retirement. The former baseball star opened up during the January 31st episode of MBC's variety show 'The Manager,' episode 383, where his post-retirement life was showcased.

Hwang candidly revealed his feelings about retiring from baseball, a decision that surprised both the baseball community and fans. Despite being on the brink of setting a 'first-ever' record if he had played for one more year, Hwang chose to retire, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining performance as he aged. He expressed a desire to leave the field while still at the top, revealing the human side of the 'record machine' that was Hwang Jae-gyun.

The show also gave a glimpse into Hwang's life 15 days into retirement. He was seen feeding his dogs, taking a second nap, and gazing out at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium from his window. Indulging in delivery food, which he avoided during his playing days, he relaxed on the sofa. Hwang also generously gave away his baseball gear to an amateur player he met through a second-hand trading app. Known for his love of children, Hwang spent time at his manager Park Shin-woong's home, playing with his kids and enjoying a healing moment.

To celebrate Hwang's retirement, his peers from the 1987 birth year gathered, including MLB and KBO star 'Korean Monster' Ryu Hyun-jin, national team catcher Yang Eui-ji, and 'hitting machine' Kim Hyun-soo. The gathering of these icons of Korean baseball's golden generation was symbolic. Although they initially discouraged Hwang's retirement, they ultimately praised his decision, acknowledging his courage and wishing him well in his future endeavors.

Manager Park Shin-woong's heartfelt video message, "Baseball player Hwang Jae-gyun has always been a source of pride for me. You've worked hard, and now I hope you live happily," added an emotional touch to Hwang's new journey.

The episode also featured Yoon Yong-wook, the 'Black and White Chef 2' star and BBQ enthusiast, showcasing his daily life. Known as a 'BBQ fanatic,' Yoon started his day preparing a BBQ breakfast tailored to his family's tastes.

At his restaurant, Yoon engaged in the meticulous process of smoking bacon for 130 hours and ribs for 24 hours, using a custom-built smoker and advanced ventilation system. His dedication to BBQ was evident, as was his commitment to his staff, whom he treated with generosity and respect.

Yoon's restaurant welcomed guests like hip-hop artists Gray, Woo Won-jae, and Coogie, who enjoyed signature dishes like beef ribs and BBQ ramen. Yoon's passion for cooking and interacting with customers left a lasting impression, as he expressed gratitude for the support and joy he finds in his culinary journey.

Reporter: Tae Yuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr