Controversy Over Bae Hyun-jin's 'Geumbaeji' First Pitch: "Is This the Time?" vs "So What?"

First Pitcher After 15 Years Since 2010
Mixed Reactions from Netizens Over Sitting Lawmaker as First Pitcher

Baek Hyun-jin, a member of the People Power Party, threw the ceremonial first pitch at a professional baseball game for the first time in 14 years. Opinions among spectators and netizens were sharply divided over Baek's first pitch. On the 9th, Ba threw the first pitch at the game between the Doosan Bears and the KIA Tigers held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul as part of the '2024 Shinhan SOL BANK KBO League.'

On the same day, Assemblyman Bae wrote on his Facebook, "First Doosan first pitch in 14 years. I challenged a four-seam fastball, but it’s harder than before. It was an honorable day meeting Kwak Bin, the top star of our prestigious Jamshil Baemyung High School, who performed well at last year’s Asian Games," adding, "Kia fans filled about two-thirds of the stands. Hope you enjoyed the away game."
[Photo by Bae Hyunjin Facebook]

Before throwing the pitch, Ba took the microphone and said, "I am Baek Hyun-jin, the National Assembly member for the home team Doosan's district. I am glad to be able to participate in this game. I hope Doosan achieves a good result today. And to the KIA team visiting as the away team, I hope you have a great day with your best performance." Some spectators booed Ba with a "Woo~" sound, while others applauded in support. On the same day, Ba posted on her Facebook, "First Doosan first pitch in 14 years. I challenged a four-seam fastball, but it’s harder than before. It was an honorable day meeting Kwak Bin, the top star of our prestigious Jamsil Baemyung High School, who performed well at last year's Asian Games." She also wrote, "KIA fans filled about two-thirds of the stands; I hope you enjoyed the away game."

National Assembly member Baek Hyun-jin threw the ceremonial first pitch at a professional baseball game for the first time in 14 years. Opinions among spectators and netizens were sharply divided over Baek's pitch.
[Photo by MBC News]

Reactions from netizens to the post were mixed. Some commented, "It doesn’t seem like the time to be throwing first pitches~ Please just focus on your legislative work~" and "Kwak Bin didn’t play a single game at the Asian Games, so if you’re going to write, please check your facts." On the other hand, some supported her, saying, "Even the president and mayors throw first pitches, so why can’t a National Assembly member?" "This is truly top form," "The first pitch vibe is professional," and "Both Karina and Baek Hyun-jin threw the best first pitches."

One netizen commented, "Next time, if you come during a Samsung game instead of a KIA game, you’ll get cheers instead of boos." Previously, Ba threw a first pitch wearing a Doosan Bears uniform during her time as an MBC announcer in 2010.