Choi helps Lions reach Korean Series with deciding win over Tigers

Choi Hyoung-woo drove in the opening run as the Samsung Lions beat the Kia Tigers 6-1 in Sunday's deciding playoff game, sending him to his first Korean Series with Samsung in 11 years. The Lions will face regular-season champion KT Wiz beginning Tuesday, according to The Korea Times.

Samsung brought Choi back in free agency to help pursue its first championship since 2014, The Korea Times reported. The Lions, who finished second in the regular season, now need four more wins to achieve that goal.

Choi, 42, is the oldest player still competing in this postseason, according to The Korea Times. He went 5-for-13 in the playoff series with two home runs and four RBIs.

His contribution extended to defense. Usually a designated hitter, Choi played left field in four of the five playoff games because Koo Ja-wook's hamstring injury restricted Koo to designated-hitter duties. Choi had made only six appearances in left field during the regular season.

Samsung leadoff hitter Kim Ji-chan, 25, went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored in Game 5. Kim credited Choi's encouragement to play aggressively with helping him produce his best game of the series, the newspaper reported.

Choi played for Samsung from 2002 through 2016 and reached the Korean Series each year from 2010 through 2015. He won four straight championships with the Lions beginning in 2011.

He joined Kia before the 2017 season and won two championships over nine seasons with the Tigers. His return to Samsung in December 2025 has now brought another opportunity to win a title with his former club.

Choi told The Korea Times that winning the Korean Series had been the team's goal from the start of the season, though he initially had doubts. That goal remains within reach as Samsung prepares to face KT.