'Yongjin-i Hyung' Working Hard on Promotion... 'Taekjin-i Hyung' Picked Up the Rag

"Yongjin hyung, Taekjin hyung"... Pro Baseball 'Team Owner Marketing' Trend

On the 4th, Chairman Jeong Yong-jin (left, Photo by JRILLA Instagram) visited Incheon SSG Landers Field in person and took a photo with the character 'Jayrilla' developed by Shinsegae Food. Kim Taek-jin, CEO of NCSoft, wearing an NC uniform, is wiping the table with a cloth (right, Photo by NC Dinos YouTube capture).

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] The actions of team owners who approach baseball fans with the nickname "Hyung" (older brother) are catching attention.

Jung Yongjin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, who acquired SK Wyverns and transformed into the owner of the "SSG Landers," has established himself as "Yongjin-i Hyung" among professional baseball fans.

Vice Chairman Jung actively communicates with fans on social networking services (SNS) such as Instagram and Clubhouse, promoting SSG enthusiastically.

SSG Group Vice Chairman Jeong Yong-jin is sitting in the stands to watch the professional baseball game between the Incheon SSG Landers and the Busan Lotte Giants held on the 4th at Incheon SSG Landers Field.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the SSG debut game held on the 4th, he personally visited Incheon SSG Landers Field, watched the game until the end, encouraged the players, and gave autographs to fans.

Vice Chairman Jung also created a kind of "Daily MVP (Most Valuable Player)" award named after himself called the "Yongjin-i Hyung Award," which is given to the best player of each game. Infielder Choi Joo-hwan, who hit a home run in the opening game, was selected as the first recipient and received a certificate and Korean beef (Hanwoo).

On the 6th, Choi Joo-hwan posted on his Instagram showing the Hanwoo and certificate, saying, "A surprise from team owner Jung Yongjin that I did not expect, thank you so much for the 'Yongjin-i Hyung Award.' I will eat well, gain strength, and play baseball well."

When acquiring the team, Owner Jung said, "I was envious of baseball fans calling NC Dinos owner Kim Taekjin 'Taekjin-i Hyung,'" and stated that it is fine to call him "Yongjin-i Hyung."

Meanwhile, the original "Hyung" that Owner Jung envied, Kim Taekjin, CEO of NCSoft and owner of NC Dinos, took up a mop.

Kim Taek-jin, CEO of NCSoft, wearing an NC uniform and wiping the table with a cloth. Photo by NC Dinos YouTube capture

On the 5th, Kim appeared unexpectedly as a member of the Dinos mopping the tables in the stands of Changwon NC Park in the video "Dinosaurs Preparing to Welcome Fans" released by NC, attracting attention.

The video showing NC players cleaning the stadium, checking tickets, organizing souvenir shops, maintaining the field and grass, and inspecting lighting and scoreboards for the opening ends with Kim, wearing an NC uniform, diligently mopping the table seats. Kim cheekily waved his hand to a player who was surprised to see him.

The video received comments from NC fans welcoming Kim's bold actions, such as "Why is Hyung there?", "Your acting skills have improved," and "Our team owner is really approachable."

Kim, who gained the friendly nickname "Taekjin-i Hyung" by appearing several times in his company's game advertisements, solidified his "Hyung" image by visiting all six games of the Korean Series last year to cheer for NC, receiving great support from baseball fans.