Hwang Jae-gyun on his retirement: Jun Hyun-moo opened doors to broadcasting

The decision to hasten his retirement from professional baseball was driven by the harsh logic of competition and a sense of personal pride, former player Hwang Jae-gyun revealed. Even after finishing a season as a first-team starter, Hwang sensed his position was becoming unstable. Fearing he would "retire pathetically after being pushed out by juniors," he chose to hang up his uniform on his own terms. His transition to a second career was significantly aided by the advice and recommendation of broadcaster Jun Hyun-moo.

Appearing on JTBC's 'Knowing Bros' on the 5th, Hwang shared the details of signing an exclusive contract with SM C&C following his retirement. He appeared alongside SM C&C labelmates Jang Young-ran, Han Seok-jun, and Shin Gi-ru to discuss his recent transformation from an athlete to a media personality.

Early in the broadcast, Hwang's past nicknames became a focal point. Jang Young-ran joked about her first impression, saying, "He gives off a sultry vibe," while Shin Gi-ru drew laughter with a blunt assessment of his recent look—noting his weight loss and longer hair—by calling him a "middle-aged erotic actor."

Hwang also addressed the infamous 'Sex Machine' nickname that once followed him. He explained that during an interview with former MLB player Eric Thames, he had bulked up by approximately 18 kg. During a discussion about their physiques, Thames reportedly described Hwang as a "K-pop model sexy machine." Due to a literal translation during the interview, the phrase solidified into the intense nickname he carries today.

The most candid moment came when Hwang discussed the decision to retire. He revealed that most people around him had tried to dissuade him from quitting, given he had been a first-team starter until the previous season.

However, his perspective shifted upon learning the club's intention not to utilize him at the start of the season. "They said they wouldn't use me because I'm getting older. My pride was deeply hurt," Hwang said, adding, "I felt like it would repeat again next year." He feared that staying longer would mean being forced out of competition due to declining skills rather than leaving on his own terms.

"I thought if I played one more year, I would retire pathetically after being pushed out by juniors, so I talked to my parents," he recalled. Rather than urging him to stay, his parents supported his decision, telling him, "Our son shouldn't go anywhere and be embarrassed. Just retire." Ultimately, he decided to retire alongside his parents in tears and immediately called the club to announce his departure.

For a professional athlete, retirement is more than just leaving a job. For a player like Hwang, who maintained high competitiveness, the timing was a matter of how to conclude his legacy. He chose to leave while he still had the agency to make the choice himself, rather than waiting until his performance was completely exhausted.

After entering the pros in 2006, Hwang played for the Nexen Heroes, Lotte Giants, and the MLB's San Francisco Giants before joining kt wiz. He was a standout core hitter and third baseman for both Lotte and kt, boasting a rare career that included a stint in the United States.

Following his retirement, his most pressing question was "what to do next." This is where Jun Hyun-moo became a pivotal figure.

Hwang cited Jun as the decisive reason he was able to sign with SM C&C. Due to their close friendship, Jun spoke highly of Hwang to company officials. "I am very close with Jun," Hwang stated. "He spoke very well of me, so the CEO viewed me favorably. That's how I was able to join."

SM C&C is an entertainment agency representing various variety and broadcast stars, including Jang Young-ran, Han Seok-jun, and Shin Gi-ru. Hwang's entry into the agency symbolizes his successful career pivot.

Interestingly, Hwang is not merely aiming to be a sports commentator. Leveraging the recognition, variety skills, and candid personality gained from his long athletic career, he is working to expand his personal brand into broader entertainment content.

On 'Knowing Bros,' Hwang spoke openly about everything from embarrassing nicknames to his retirement. When Jang Young-ran and Shin Gi-ru joked that he didn't quite fit the "vibe" of other SM C&C artists, he showed his quick wit by responding, "Then maybe some 'sticky' characters will join in behind me."\

Hwang's transformation is also drawing attention due to his physical changes. After his sudden weight loss following retirement, some expressed concern over his health. However, he clarified his condition, noting a body fat mass of 3.2 kg and a body fat percentage of 3.9% to showcase his muscular physique.

On MBC's 'The Manager,' he joked that his face had "melted" due to rapid weight loss, explaining he had lost 18 kg in about five months. He noted that because he had also reduced his water intake, he appeared even more gaunt. While his physical change is a departure from his playing days, it has become a central part of his new public image.

His personal life has also drawn significant interest. Hwang married Jiyeon, formerly of T-ara, in December 2022, but the couple reached a divorce mediation at the Seoul Family Court in November 2024. This personal transition coincided with his professional shift toward establishing a new identity.

It is too early to define Hwang's career simply as that of a "former baseball player turned entertainer." The experience he gained competing in professional baseball for nearly 20 years provides a wealth of material—from sports and competition to human relationships and self-management. His ability to use even his most embarrassing moments as comedic material is a significant asset in the entertainment industry.

For an athlete, retirement is an end, but for a celebrity, it can be the start of a new narrative. Instead of waiting to be forced out, Hwang chose to leave the field while still being celebrated. Through his connection with Jun Hyun-moo, he has now begun a new competition—not on the diamond, but in front of the camera.

While he once proved himself through batting averages and home runs, his new records will be written through his words, expressions, and character. The industry is now more interested in the "broadcaster Hwang Jae-gyun" than the retired athlete.