Hwang Jae-gyun: Weight loss is for a new career, not divorce

Former professional baseball player Hwang Jae-gyun's retirement ceremony, which he prepared for by losing 18kg, has been postponed due to an unexpected heatwave. Having concluded a 20-year professional career, he is moving past the regrets of the diamond to begin his second act by launching a personal YouTube channel, 'Illuhwang,' named after his nickname.

In the upcoming episode of the MBC variety show 'The Manager,' scheduled to air on the 29th at 11:10 PM, the daily life of Hwang, who has managed his physique more intensely than anyone else ahead of his retirement, will be revealed.

During the broadcast, Hwang will reveal his recent transformation after losing a staggering 18kg over six months. He surprises viewers by showcasing a solid, muscular physique with stats of 3.2kg of body fat and a 3.9% body fat percentage. It appears he has been thoroughly maintaining his body even after finishing his playing career, preparing to mark the end of an era with his retirement.

He had been eagerly awaiting the event, even preparing a commemorative bat engraved with the retirement date and a specially made uniform. However, due to extreme heat on the actual day of the ceremony, the event had to be temporarily postponed. Having prepared for a long time for this important moment to celebrate his final days as a player, the sense of disappointment was bound to be great.

Due to the sudden change in schedule, Hwang temporarily set aside the strict diet he had maintained. As if to soothe his disappointment, he engaged in a 'stormy mukbang' (eating show) before moving to a baseball practice range to pick up his bat again.

While repeatedly swinging full, Hwang brought laughter to the scene by joking, "I should make a comeback." The moment simultaneously reveals the instincts of a former player who cannot fully leave the baseball field even after declaring retirement, alongside his cheerful personality.

Although the official retirement ceremony was delayed, a celebratory gathering with his family proceeded as planned. The family gathered to celebrate Hwang's new beginning, and his younger sibling drew laughter by handing him a cake and saying, "There won't be another one next time." With the family's characteristic realistic jokes regarding the postponed ceremony, a warm atmosphere was created instead.

Hwang was active as a professional baseball player for 20 years, playing on major stages of Korean baseball. In particular, as an infielder, he consistently showed presence with strong hitting and stable defensive abilities, building a diverse career through experiences on both domestic and international stages.

Before officially closing the final chapter of his playing career, Hwang chose a new stage. He opened a personal YouTube channel, 'Illuhwang,' and has embarked on full-scale activities as a broadcaster.

'Illuhwang' is a nickname created by combining Hwang's baseball career and fandom culture. It is a name given by fans, inspired by remarks he shouted toward an opposing pitcher during a bench-clearing incident in the past and his primary position as a first baseman. It is also meaningful in that he has directly transitioned a stadium meme into his own content brand.

Through 'Illuhwang,' Hwang plans to reveal various aspects of his life outside the baseball field, such as his home, fashion, hobbies, and daily life. His goal is to move away from his professional identity as a player and build a new public image by expanding his interests and personality into content.

For a professional athlete, retirement is not simply about taking off the uniform. It is a turning point where one must leave the competition, training, and the stadium that were the center of life for a long time to forge a new identity. Although Hwang's symbolic retirement ceremony was delayed by the heatwave, he used that gap as a starting point for a new challenge.

Attention is focused on whether Hwang, who stands before the public again under the name 'Illuhwang' after 20 years of baseball, can prove his presence in a different way than during his playing days. He previously announced his intention to begin full-scale entertainment activities after signing an exclusive contract with SM C&C.