KBO's sole Taiwanese player wins over fans at home and in Korea in breakout season
Hanwha Eagles pitcher Wang Yan-cheng has become a key starter and a growing cross-border draw in his first KBO season under the league’s Asian quota system.
Hanwha Eagles pitcher Wang Yan-cheng throws a first pitch against the SSG Landers at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon on April 16.NEWS1
Wang Yan-cheng, a pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles, is currently the only Taiwanese player in the KBO League. After pitching for Japan's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles last season, he came to Korea this year as the first player signed under the league's newly introduced Asian quota system.
His annual salary is just $100,000. His value on the mound, however, has far exceeded his paycheck.
Wang has appeared in 16 games this season, pitching 80 1/3 innings with a 6-3 record, a 3.59 ERA and 68 strikeouts. He ranks second on the team behind Ryu Hyun-jin in innings pitched, wins, ERA and strikeouts.
While foreign starters Owen White and Wilkel Hernandez struggled with injuries and inconsistency, Wang has anchored the rotation alongside Ryu. The Eagles’ fans have even given him the affectionate nickname "Wang seobang [son-in-law].”
"I thought the nickname was funny when I first heard it," said Wang. "But the more I heard it, the more I realized it reflected the warmth of fans [who treat me like family]. I'm truly grateful."
Taiwan has long been one of Korean baseball's toughest international rivals. Although Taiwan's professional league is generally considered less competitive than the KBO League, its national team has repeatedly upset Korea in international tournaments.
That makes Wang's success in Korea particularly meaningful for Taiwanese baseball fans, who admire Korean baseball while also viewing it as a rival.
Wang Yan-cheng, right, celebrates by splashing water on teammate Heo In-seo after Heo hit the first double-digit home run total of his career on May 29.HANWHA EAGLES
Taiwanese media closely followed Wang's performances early in the season, often referring to him as the "Taiwanese Prince." Correspondents from the Taiwanese media outlet, The Central News Agency, traveled to Daejeon to interview him.
Since June 23, Taiwan's international sports streaming platform, DAZN, has broadcast every Eagles’ game live.
Just as the Los Angeles Dodgers became one of Korea's favorite MLB teams thanks to its former Korean stars such as Park Chan-ho and Ryu, the Eagles are emerging as Taiwan's most closely followed KBO club.
Wang, however, brushed off the comparison.
Wang Yan-cheng of the Hanwha Eagles delivers a pitch against the Doosan Bears at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon, on May 22.NEWS1
"Every player has their own cheering song, and the fans' chants are unlike anything you'll find anywhere else in the world," said Wang. "That's something unique to Korean baseball. I'm happy that more people in Taiwan are getting to experience it."
After spending seven years playing in Japan, where crowds are generally quieter, Wang admitted the atmosphere initially caught him off guard.
"At first, the cheering was so loud that it distracted me even on the mound," said Wang. "But now that [I've adjusted], it doesn't bother me anymore."
Wang has also experienced Korean fans' generosity firsthand.
While visiting a restaurant in Seoul for a game, he stopped to take photos and sign autographs for a large group of fans. He later learned the fans had quietly paid the bill for Wang’s entire group.
Hanwha Eagles pitcher Wang Yang-chen shouts during a game in Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon, on April 16.NEWS1
"I've never had fans pay for my meal before in my life," said Wang. "Fans occasionally gave me gifts when I played in Japan, but this is my first season in the KBO, and I've already experienced something like this. The owner of a ramen restaurant I often visit in Daejeon also always gives me extra food. I'm really thankful."
The Taiwanese right-hander has reached the midway point of his first KBO season in impressive fashion.
Just over three months after Wang broke down in tears after his first KBO victory on March 29, he has become an indispensable part of the Eagles’ rotation.
Asked which hitter has impressed him the most, Wang named Kim Do-yeong of the KIA Tigers.
"I'm very happy with my life in Korea," said Wang. "Right now, I'm figuring out the training methods and routines that suit me best. I definitely want to pitch in the Korean Series while I'm here.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
