The Samsung Lions defeated the KT Wiz 12–1 in Game 5 of the Korean Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on November 8, 2026. Winning the series 4–1, they claimed the franchise’s ninth championship.
As Samsung reached the top of the Korean Series for the first time since 2014, various promises players made during the 12-year wait for a title are drawing renewed attention.
From a bold pledge made by then-rookie Koo Ja-wook in 2015 to Park Seung-kyu’s proposal plans during this year’s Korean Series, promises made over several years are back in the spotlight.
Koo Ja-wook’s 2015 pledge to run in his underwear and Kang Min-ho’s 2018 offer of a free spring training trip
One promise drawing renewed attention was reported by Kukmin Ilbo on March 24, 2015: Koo Ja-wook’s championship pledge.
Koo, then a rookie, said that if Samsung won its fifth consecutive combined championship, he would strip down to his underwear and run a lap around the ballpark.
The remarks followed a pledge by captain Park Seok-min, who said that if the team won, he would make his younger teammates Koo Ja-wook and Kim Sang-soo dance in their underwear.
Kim Sang-soo seemed flustered by the unexpected pledge, but Koo responded even more enthusiastically, showing his determination to win.
But Samsung lost to the Doosan Bears in the 2015 Korean Series and finished as runners-up, so the pledge was never carried out.
Later, Kang Min-ho, who joined Samsung in 2018, made a more practical promise to fans.
At the 2018 KBO Media Day, Kang said that if the team won the championship, he would cover airfare and lodging for fans who came to watch spring training.
The Samsung club said, however, that it would not be realistic to invite every fan for free. It explained that, if the team won, it would consider providing the benefit to fans selected through a lottery or submissions of their stories.
The team did not win the championship that year either, but Kang’s promise to give fans a special experience continued in other forms afterward.
A date at Everland with 1,000 fans—and a proposal with a championship ring
At the 2025 KBO Media Day, Kang Min-ho pledged to invite 1,000 fans to Everland if Samsung won the championship.
Everland, operated by Samsung C&T’s Resort Division, responded to the pledge through its official newsroom on March 24 that year, announcing plans to work with the Samsung Lions to organize an event for fans.
After failing to win the championship in 2025, Kang Min-ho renewed the same pledge at Media Day in March 2026. This year’s championship has now fulfilled the condition for holding the event.
Outfielder Park Seung-gyu also made a special promise during this year’s Korean Series.
In Game 4 of the Korean Series against KT on November 7, Park Seung-gyu had three hits and three RBIs in four at-bats, helping his team to a 10-5 victory.
In a postgame interview, he revealed plans to propose to his girlfriend with a championship ring. His remarks drew renewed attention when Samsung clinched the title the following day.
Samsung Electronics and Cheil Industries held discount events after the 2014 championship
Alongside the players’ pledges, potential championship discount events by Samsung Group affiliates have also attracted attention.
When the Samsung Lions won their fourth consecutive combined title in 2014, Cheil Industries held a “Samsung Lions Championship Thank-You Festival” from November 14 to 23.
It offered a standard 10% discount on major brands including Beanpole, Galaxy, Rogatis, Kuho and 8Seconds, with discounts of up to 20% on coats and padded clothing.
Samsung Electronics also held an “1111 Grand Festival,” offering benefits worth up to 1.11 million won to customers purchasing select UHD TVs and awarding Everland all-access passes to 1,111 people through a draw.
The event’s name was inspired by the Samsung Lions’ championship win in Game 6 of the Korean Series on November 11, when they recorded 11 hits and 11 runs.
Discounts celebrating the 2026 championship remain under consideration
On November 8, 2026, News1 reported that Samsung Group affiliates were considering large-scale discount events to mark the Samsung Lions’ championship.
However, no specific dates, participating brands and products, or discount rates for additional championship promotions have been officially confirmed. With anticipation already running high, more definite news may arrive soon.
The Samsung Lions’ first championship in 12 years ended a long wait for the players and renewed attention on the promises made to fans along the way.
Now that the condition of winning the championship has been met, attention is turning to which promises and commemorative events will actually be carried out.
