“Today, we clash as rivals, but tomorrow, we’ll laugh as friends again.” Isn’t it fascinating how this quote mirrors the story of Jung-Hoo Lee and Hye-Seong Kim? After seven years together at Kiwoom Heroes, these two close friends are now set to face off as competitors. What makes it even more thrilling is that they’re now playing for rival teams, raising the stakes of their upcoming clash. But here’s the twist, Jung-Hoo Lee has a crucial update for his friend, something about the MLB environment. What could it be?

Looking back, both Jung-Hoo Lee and Hye-Seong Kim had been making waves in the KBO league, but the turning point came when Jung-Hoo Lee signed a six-year, $113 million deal with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. Not long after, Hye-Seong Kim followed his friend’s path, signing with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-year, $12.5 million deal. 

Both leagues (MLB & KBO) bring the game to life, but the way fans celebrate and reciprocate it is what sets them apart. Similarly, the San Francisco Giants star man Jung-Hoo Lee echoed this statement recently, when he informed his Korean friend about the challenges in playing at Oracle Park in the upcoming MLB fixture against the Doggers.

Lee reminisced about the years spent together, recalling their time on the youth national team in South Korea. “We’ve been playing together since the days of the youth national team. I have nothing but great memories of playing with him,” he expressed a sense of pride, continuing, “I am so happy to see us both play in the U.S. at the same time. It feels surreal.“ However, the heated rivalry between the Giants and Dodgers dates back to the 1910s.

Lee acknowledges that while he and Kim have a close personal relationship, they will have to set their friendship aside when their respective teams face each other in games. You would agree with Lee as he points out that in MLB, the fans are very passionate and partisan, meaning they strongly support their home team and boo or jeer the opposing players.

“Fans will boo players on the other team during the introduction,” Lee said, adding, “In the KBO, we usually have a lot of fans for the visiting team and the mood is fairly neutral. In the majors, it’s a lot more partisan, and I think it’s going to be fun for Hye-seong.” Moreover, this is not the first time that Jung-Hoo Lee faces off against his friend, it has happened before. 

Jung-Hoo Lee’s historic duel against his Korean friends

Jung-Hoo Lee has already faced off against one of his friends. Did you know this? Yes, you heard correctly. Jung-Hoo Lee recorded his first Major League Baseball hit in March 2024 while playing for the San Francisco Giants against Kim Ha-Seong’s San Diego Padres. This game was interesting mostly because Lee hit first at home in three games and Kim made two mistakes that led to the Padres’ loss. In his big league career, this was the first time Kim had been charged with more than one mistake in a single game.

Jung-Hoo Lee’s journey with the San Francisco Giants has been a mix of impressive stats and unfortunate injuries. In just 37 games, the 26-year-old showcased his talent with a batting average of .262 and a slugging percentage of .331. His 38 hits included two home runs and four doubles, while his 10 walks and only 13 strikeouts highlighted his solid plate discipline. Now, in 2025, it’s set to be the second time Jung-Hoo Lee faces his Korean friend, Hye-Seong Kim.

So, do you think Hye-Seong Kim will be able to handle facing off his friend Jung-Hoo Lee’s team, the San Francisco Giants? Share your take in the comments.