Extraordinary DNA of a 'Sports Prodigy': "I Want to Give Back Now"

[Anchor]

Park Jae-hyun, who has emerged as a lucky charm for the KIA Tigers this KBO season, boasts incredible speed and athletic ability. It turns out his rapid growth is the result of talent inherited from his mother, a bodybuilder, and his father, a former taekwondo athlete, combined with exceptional self-discipline.

Reporter Jeon Yeongmin has the story.

[Reporter]

The person posing with a baseball bat and showing off her muscles at a bodybuilding competition is Choi Yoon-young, the mother of KIA outfielder Park Jae-hyun.

After majoring in physical education in college, she focused on raising her children before taking on a new challenge in her 40s. She was recognized as a top-tier bodybuilder, even winning prizes in amateur competitions.

[Choi Yoon-young / Mother of KIA's Park Jae-hyun: After I turned 40, I wanted to find my second act in life, so I started again. Jae-hyun was a huge source of strength for me back then. He told me that seeing me exercise was cool.]

[Park Jae-hyun / KIA Outfielder: I think inheriting good genes from my parents has had an impact.]

Park Jae-hyun's father, Park Seung-chan, is also a former taekwondo athlete who passed on a healthy physique and perseverance to his son.

[Choi Yoon-young / Mother of KIA's Park Jae-hyun: He saw the older kids doing cartwheels in the hallway of a taekwondo academy and was doing cartwheels and backflips himself at age six. If he didn't do well in a game, he would come back alone in the evening and practice with his bat until dawn.]

Park Jae-hyun is determined to repay his parents for the talent and mindset they passed down, and for the sacrifices they made for him, by achieving success.

[Park Jae-hyun / KIA Outfielder: They went through a lot following me around, so I really want to give back as much as I can. As for pocket money, I will do that when my salary goes up later.]

[Choi Yoon-young / Mother of KIA's Park Jae-hyun: I hope he stays injury-free, does his best, and plays with the knowledge that I am always cheering for him. I love you always.]

Reported by Yang Doo-won | Video by Park Ki-deok | Graphics by Park Tae-young
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.