Lotte Giants' 'Glasses Ace' Park Se-woong: From Unstoppable Streak to Crisis—What Went Wrong?

The Meteoric Rise: Park Se-woong's Unstoppable Streak

Did you know Park Se-woong kicked off the 2025 KBO season as one of the league's hottest pitchers? From March 29 to May 11, he racked up eight consecutive wins, posting a dazzling 1.76 ERA and a WHIP of just 1.06. Fans and analysts alike hailed him as the true 'Glasses Ace' of Lotte, and his performances were a major reason the Giants surged into the league's top tier. The buzz wasn’t just in the stats—Park’s confidence on the mound and his ability to handle high-pressure situations became a talking point across Korean baseball communities.

The Sudden Fall: Numbers That Tell a Different Story

But then, the script flipped. Starting with a shaky outing on May 17 against Samsung—5 innings, 5 earned runs—Park’s numbers took a nosedive. Over his next five starts, he failed to record a single win, went 0-4, and his ERA ballooned to 8.67. In June alone, his ERA soared to 11.32. His most recent outing, a disastrous 5-inning, 8-run performance against KT Wiz, was the worst of his season. The once-reliable ace was now at the center of a crisis, with both fans and coaches searching for answers.

Manager's Diagnosis: Is It All in the Mind?

Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyoung didn’t mince words when asked about Park’s struggles: 'It’s the same story for several years. He needs more confidence. Even if the game isn’t going well, you need certainty in your heart. Without it, your pitches end up in the middle of the plate.' This psychological angle has become a focal point in Korean sports media, with many wondering if Park’s issues are less about mechanics and more about mental resilience. The manager’s decision to demote Park to the second team after his latest poor outing was both a wake-up call and a chance for the pitcher to reset.

Team Dynamics: New Faces, New Pressure

While Park was struggling, Lotte’s starting rotation was undergoing a transformation. The team brought in new foreign pitcher Alec Gamboa and promoted young arms like Lee Min-seok and Hong Min-ki. These 'new faces' have injected energy into the rotation, with Gamboa quickly adapting to KBO hitters and Lee Min-seok posting a sub-3.00 ERA in June. But for Park, this meant added pressure—not only to perform as the team’s ace but also to justify his massive 9 billion won contract, the first of its kind for a Lotte player.

Fan and Community Reactions: Sympathy, Frustration, and Hope

Online, the reaction has been intense. On Naver and Daum, fans are split: about 60% express concern and sympathy, recalling Park’s past heroics and hoping for a comeback. The other 40% are critical, questioning his mental toughness and whether he deserves his salary. Comments like 'He’s still our ace, give him time' compete with 'How long will we wait for him to find his confidence?' On DC Inside and PGR21, the debate is even sharper, with some suggesting a change in training or even a trade. Yet, there’s a shared hope that Park’s story isn’t over—many point to his resilience in past seasons as proof he can bounce back.

Cultural Insight: The Weight of Being a Korean Ace

In Korea, being a 'native ace' carries unique cultural weight. Fans expect not just performance but also leadership and emotional steadiness. The 'Glasses Ace' image—intelligent, reliable, and unflappable—has made Park a symbol for Lotte’s aspirations. His struggles, therefore, resonate beyond the box score. They reflect the intense scrutiny and expectations placed on Korean athletes, especially those who sign landmark contracts. For international fans, understanding this context is key to appreciating both the criticism and the support Park receives.

Looking Ahead: Can Park Se-woong Reclaim His Throne?

As of mid-June 2025, Park’s demotion leaves a gap in Lotte’s rotation, with the team scrambling to find a Sunday starter. Manager Kim Tae-hyoung has hinted at giving other young pitchers a chance, but the door isn’t closed for Park. His career has seen ups and downs before, and many believe that with a mental reset and some technical adjustments, he can return to form. For now, the question remains: will the 'Glasses Ace' rise again, or is this the start of a new chapter for both Park and the Lotte Giants?