1Talk about Dome madness & Korean Series
Opening statement
JT: Just like we asked you last episode, did you bring your hardhats?
SA: I certainly did! What about you, listeners? Did you remember yours?
JT: You’re gonna need it today, but you might wanna attach the beer holders to it.
SA: And why is that, Mr. J?
JT: Because before we break ground on stadiums, we have to talk about the Korean Series!
SA: That’s right! The baseball league is the one that needs domed stadiums the most, especially after this season.
JT: We’re gonna go over that season finale because it was amazingly shockingly unfranginetically…헐.
SA: It certainly was for me too.
Korean Series Breakdown
JT: Condolences to our last episode's guest KT fan Jakob and our history guest Andrew.
SA: At least Jakob has the Brewers, at least he has the Brewers. (sound annoyed) My team couldn’t even make it to 500 once again! (joke sting)
JT: And he will always have the memory of Game 1 where it looked to be a shellacking by KT and he must have been riding until the bottoms of the 6th when they had a 8-0 lead that they almost blew.
SA:However they were able to hold on after giving up 5 runs in the 7th and 2 runs in the 8th.
JT: They got it to their impressive closer Park Yeong Hyun who was able to deliver a 5 out save.
SA: Unfortunately after this game they never held a lead after the first inning, even though they were able to force extra innings in game 2 when ace Go Young Pyo went blow for blow with Paddack.
JT: For Jacob’s sake we should stop talking about the rest of the series, because it was a blood bath after this.
SA: Yes Samsung’s defensive woes from the KIA series and the first 2 games of the Korean Series seem to disband and Samsung had the advantage.
JT: Yes they were pretty solid during the season, but it was amazing their bats were able to overcome the boneheaded errors made by Samsung fielders, it seemed like I was watching the little league world series.
SA: I saw bits of game 3 and 4 and I noticed a pattern with KTs hitters; taking 3rd strikes without swinging, and not taking advantage of runners in scoring position. This is something they usually didn’t do during the season. Hats off to the Samsung pitching staff for keeping KTs bats cold. Now I’m not gonna say I was expecting a Samsung victory.
JT: You weren’t.
SA: I read about some issues with the Wiz’s prep during the October downtime. They often drove to the training grounds and didn’t take it seriously, that sorta thing was said in postgame interviews.
JT: Well KT starting pitching did not succeed the way I expected and they looked rusty after game 1 and 2.
SA: A health update came in this week too. KT’s shortstop Kwon Dong-jin will not need eye surgery after breaking his eye socket from a batted ball in the 8th inning, according to recent reports.
JT: You hate to see it, and it's one of the many dangers of baseball, hopefully he will come back healthy and not ptsd when getting back on the field.
SA: (amusing moment) There were a few amusing moments fans might have seen. In game 5, during a RBI base hit in the 5th off KT’s Go Yeong Pyo, the camera cut to the cheerleaders as the run came in, and a male cheerleader stood too close to the sparklers! This shower of sparks came up by his face and he dipped out of the way before his face got burnt off!
JT: Talk about taking one for the team! I hope he ain’t all messed up like Two Face from the Batman movies *joke sting*.
SA: Also the numerologists and superstitious lot over at Namu Wiki noted that in 2015, the year Samsung lost and their dynasty ended, they lost in a 11 run game but this time they won in 11 runs. There were many repeating parallels through this series and the 2015 one.
JT: Like how the regular season champion got utterly dominated after game 1, for example. But unlike this time, there wasn’t a massive gambling scandal to distract the regular season champions.
SA: Also with the series, Samsung is the first team to have played 11 different teams in the playoffs, including the Raiders.
JT: One more amusing thing came up in game 2 in that it went so long they literally ran out of ads to show. I don’t think anyone was complaining, but why not run the same ads again?
SA: They probably paid per airing. While it didn’t make me complain, it made me wonder at times whether or not something was happening between innings that they were covering. Like a medical emergency or something. And finally, when Samsung won Game 5, on the same day the Bluewings won automatic promotion to K-League 1 and Samsung’s star badminton player An Se-Yeong won the Korea Open in Yeosu. They got all the wins that day.
JT: The rise of Samsung sports teams, like the phoenix that rises from the ashes in mythology.
SA: All those humanities classes in college finally kicked in, huh?
JT: Oh hell no, I remember the X-men cartoons *joke sting*.
Put Yonosim Ad here
New Dome Stadiums
SA: (introduction) Now we’re onto the big topic of the postseason: Domed Stadiums and whether Korea should build them. All year long I’ve been hearing proposals from local governments, especially during election time, on whether to build a dome multipurpose stadium in their districts.
JT: So here’s the background; As reported in the Korea Times way back in March, Busan mayoral candidate Chun told reporters he wanted to change the Sajik park renovation plan to a dome stadium on the coast, and that got other districts interested in building domes during election season. Open up the bank vaults, boys! YEEEHAAAWWW! *joke sting*
SA: So far, Seoul and Incheon are already building domes. Incheon’s team SSG Landers will open 2028 in a dome that’s built into a shopping mall to get around a legal block on corporations owning stadiums. Jamsil stadium is being replaced with a 30,000-seat dome arena by 2032.
JT: Now the federal government’s getting involved and has pledged to partially sponsor one large dome and one medium sized dome. And that’s led to 10 cities putting in bids for a dome of some size. Where should we begin, Mr. S?
SA: (Busan’s bid) Busan’s getting the most news lately. As I talked about in Worst Persons many episodes ago, they had a plan but it got scrapped by the new mayor. So I’m gonna try my best to not be a Debbie downer, and start with the positives. First, it’ll be in North Port which is next to Busan station.
JT: It’ll make it super easy to get fans to and fro. Also you have to factor in Busan needing a space to host large concerts like BTS & Beyonce. Of course, North Port is where Bukangi hung out for a month so we’ve been seeing shark themed stadium concepts online since then. Oh and the mayor wants the roof to be transparent or retractable just like those American stadiums. We’re including an SBS link discussing the idea in case you’re confused like we were.
SA: But one serious negative is being that close to the shore means getting hit with storm surge and typhoon winds, and it’s on reclaimed land which has a habit of…sinking.
JT: So basically they have to make sure they need to be on their game construction-wise. Otherwise they’ve built the next Atlantis *joke sting*.
SA: Also the residents of Sajik aren’t happy about it. There would be an economic drop-off without all the game activity bringing customers to the shops on game-day 6 months out of the year.
JT: Who’s got the next wild bid?
SA: (talk about Yeosu’s longshot bid) This one’s in our neighborhood and I’m not quite sure what’s going on. Both Gwangju and Yeosu have discussed bids since Mayor Min made it a campaign promise in the Yeosu area. The plan is to build a medium-sized dome on the Yeosu Expo grounds since those pavilions are hardly used for anything these days. At the very least, they’ve already got underground parking so there won’t be another Gocheok debacle.
JT: But one big problem is the lack of a pro team. Yeosu hasn’t hosted a pro anything since the Shinsegae Cool Cats in 2002. The closest team is the Dragons footie team. So how are you going to make enough money to pay for upkeep?
SA: I like the idea of making bold promises but you gotta stay out of the delulu swamps *joke sting*. (talk about Incheon’s plan for Munhak) For example, there’s Incheon’s plan to build a 50 thousand seat stadium called K-Culture after tearing down Munhak. The baseball team will still play in the new Starfield stadium so they plan to use this for concerts and big events.
JT: So that would make two domes in Incheon. But they’re not the only one in the neighborhood pursuing a big dome, right?
SA: Unfortunately not. Bucheon which is next door, is also pushing for a new dome stadium but reports in the HanKyung newspaper say they are dropping the dome idea and pushing for improving their current soccer field. But now Gwangmyeong, Hwaseong, Suwon, and Paju are putting in requests for domes, along with Seoul’s Gangseo-gu district.
JT: It’s sounding like a bit of Dome Envy is going around. I understand that they’ve got the population but if each of these places get domes, they’ll wind up in a bidding war for concerts and lose out on profits.
SA: Daegu is up in the mix too for a medium sized one to replace their old one where Kogas plays. They want to build it at the tennis courts in Duryu Park which is where the chimaek festival takes place.
JT: I can see them being a front runner because the city already owns the land, unlike Busan and Yeosu who have to go ask agencies for it.
SA: Speaking of land, one of the big bids is from Cheonan and South Chungcheong which wants to build it next to Cheonan station and their planned public transport transfer center with office, commercial, residential, lodging, and cultural facilities. The KTX, SRT, and Seoul Subway all enter that station. Whooo I said a mouthful.
JT: Where are they getting these multi-use ideas from? Haven’t they seen some of the problems with low returns in American stadium projects?
SA: It seems like they’re inspired by the F Village area in Kitahiroshima Hokkaido where they built a dome for baseball and added hotels and other stuff around it. But again when you build it, doesn’t mean they will come.
JT: Costs will be covered, after the break. Get your checkbooks open & ready *money sound*.
Transition here
SA: Onto the costs *money sound*! Busan’s dome is clocking in at 600 billion won just for the land at North port. But good news! A local construction company is offering to build it for free! That saves 300 billion right there *joke sting*.
JT: Did the mayor win Mega Millions 100 times when he was in the states?! Also, not to disparage the construction company, but a gigantic building project is not something you can bang out with your buds on a weekend like fixing a fence.
SA: Cheonan’s supersized dome project is around… 1 trillion won, and the transfer center will cost 673.5 billion won *cash register*.
JT: They do realize the feds will only pay a quarter of the construction costs and none of the operating expenses, right?
SA: Yeah good luck getting potholes filled in the next decade *joke sting*. Say goodbye to your suspensions. But some regions have gotten the hint. North Chungcheong province dropped their bid for a dome stadium since they clearly can’t afford it and won’t be able to get a pro team to play there.
JT: The naysayers are saying neigh!
SA: That’s the horse sound. You meant naaay.
JT: You just said yes in Korean.
SA: OH gawwwd I’ve made a viral culture joke. We’re gonna be laughed at for decades like the EBS coke joke. *joke sting*
JT: So one of the naysayers, and I said it right this time, like Jeong Mun-hyeon, a professor at Chungnam National University’s Sports Science Department, warned, “Professional baseball games alone can’t fill a dome year-round. Without integrating large-scale events, hotels, and cultural industries into a revenue model, it could become a deficit facility.” unquote
SA: Speaking of maintenance and deficits, Korea has a problem caring for their current stadiums. Last week in Worst Persons we called out the recent audits pointing out dangerous structural flaws in several stadiums around the country. So now we’re talking about spending bajillions of won on facilities that you can’t afford to cheap out on.
JT: It reminds me of kids who want a new million won toy but you see how beat up their old one is. Yeah I get it, you want year round concerts and what not; but people are gonna die if you cheap out on repairs. And can you even bring in the people? Yeosu’s 3 and a half hours from Seoul. Think BTS or Blackpink is gonna risk an undersold stadium because the fans can’t get there and back home in one night? Neighhh I say, neigh the horse sound! *joke sting*
SA: We’re gonna keep an eye on this story since the feds will announce their decision in mid-December. Keep your calculators ready, Korean sports fans.
JT: Watch them put a 5 cent tax on soju to cover these costs *cash register sound*.
SA: And it’s important now because Jeonbuk just got Seoul to combine bids for the 2036 Olympics.
Stars of the game
Steve’s Pick: Samsung Thunder’s Kerem Kanter
Justin’s Pick: mlb posters
SA: Time for Stars of the Game! Where we talk about a famous athlete or other in the Korean sports world. First up is Kerem Kanter the big man center from Turkey who has been playing for the Samsung Thunder for the past two seasons.
JT: You might recognize his older brother Enes who can’t stay off TV in the States.
SA: Little brother is playing well with the Seoul Thunder these days, but he got his start with IMG academy in the states.
JT: That’s the star academy that turns kids into star athletes like Monica Seles, Serena Williams, Darius Acuff Jr the #1 pick basketball player with terrible shot selection, Zach Edey the Grizzlies player who just had surgery for an overtaxed ligament and now elbow problems, Pat The Bat Burrell, Adam Big Donkey Dunn, you can tell those two are baseball players, JJ McCarthy aka 9 plus 9 of the New York Giants, Kaytron Fatman Allen of the Miami Dolphins, and Hjalte Froholdt of the Arizona Cardinals who wanted to be an art thief growing up. Yup, IMG Academy is the place where top talent blossoms.
SA: After 4 years of college ball, Kanter bounced around the world, finally settling in Seoul with the Thunder. The Thunder were terrible last season but now with a new coach more focused on winning, they’re winning games and are in first place. Kanter is appearing in MVP discussions with his 24 point 7 ppg, second in league average free throws per game, and top 5 in rebounding per game.
JT: Now is his big chance to prove he can be a franchise player!
SA: Who’s your pick this week?
JT: My pick is obviously going to be baseball. I’ve said it time and time again: my current favorite all-around player in the KBO is 노시환 from the Hanhwa Eagles, and the pros are finally starting to listen to me.
SA: What do you mean "the pros"? He’s already in the KBO.
JT: The big leagues, bud. I’m just waiting on the MLB front office that’s been tapping my phone to finally pay up for my 100% accurate scouting skills.
SA: I think I remember you bringing him up during our Eagles episode.
JT: Yes!노시환 is officially posted and eligible to make the move overseas. He’s got a great bat—the only real issue is that he tends to get off to slow starts. Basically, he hits the snooze button in April, but once he wakes up, he’s a monster.
SA: How about his defensive skills?
JT: To me, he’s probably the top third baseman in the league. He’s got a cannon for an arm, and I think I’ve only seen him make one error on a routine hard-hit ball. Honestly, if Kim Do Young had 시환’s glove, he’d easily stick at third when he eventually goes to the majors. As it stands, Do YOung has the better bat, so he’ll probably have to change positions in MLB, whereas 노시환 won’t.
SA: So who’s looking at him?
JT: Well, I’ve heard two teams linked to him so far. First, you’ve got the obvious choice—a team that’s been treating the Korean talent like their personal Costco lately with guys like Song Sung Min, Kim Ha Seong , Go Woo Suk, and even Choi Ji Min —the San Diego Padres. But if I were a betting man...
SA: Which, of course, you’re not.
JT: Not me, never. Not even for a coffee. Anyway, I’d put my money on the New York Mets. They just hired Si-hwan’s former Hanwha Eagles hitting coach, Johnny Washington, as their new co-hitting coach. So he knows exactly what he’s getting and can put in a good word with New York's front office.
The only problem with both the Mets and the Padres is a massive traffic jam at third base. San Diego has superstar Manny Machado locked in, and the Mets have Bo Bichette. So unless Roh Si-hwan wants to learn first base on the fly, accept a depth role, or start rooting for a pulled hamstring in spring training, playing time might be tight. Either way, I hope a team scoops him up—he’s got a huge fan in me.
SA: (Your reaction/opinion) He’s got some competition coming behind him in postings as Samsung’s pitcher Won Tae-in and outfielder Gu Ja-wook are both free agents and pursuing MLB bids. I think Roh has the best chance out of the 3, but might not get as much money because other teams wanting a Korean player for the market interest might sign those Samsung players.
JT: And to whichever MLB general manager signs him, you can make my scouting check out to "Cash," or to Mr. J... M-I-S-T... uhhhhh...
SA: And you're an English professor.
JT: Not much of one at that, Mr. S.
GOTW
Steve’s pick: Choo Sung-hoon MMA retirement match against Chris Leben Nov 21st. Saudi Arabia vs Korea Friday night 1130PM then Qatar 11PM. WK-League finals Monday night.
Justin’s pick: [how about 2026 APBC 도쿄돔 원정 응원단 Korea vs Japan Friday night at 7? How about Sat 4pm HL Anyang vs Yokohama Gritz or Sunday 2pm?]
SA: Time for Game of the Week! We’ve got fun things to watch this week in football, basketball, and practically everything, even baseball!
JT: That’s right Mr. S! First up tonight is our Game of the Week: Friday night at 7:00 PM, South Korea takes on Japan at the Tokyo Dome in the 2026 APBC—and the KBO isn't letting our boys walk into enemy territory alone. They’ve officially deployed the 도쿄돔 원정 응원단, the Tokyo Dome Away Cheering Squad!
SA: Wait—they’re bringing full KBO-style cheering into the Tokyo Dome? Usually games in Japan are way more polite and quiet. Are they actually allowed to bring the whole setup?
JT: Oh, they negotiated the whole deal with NPB! We’re talking 3,000 Korean fans, cheerleaders on the dugout roof, trumpets, and—for the first time—even amps. They’re turning the third-base side of the Tokyo Dome into Jamsil Stadium for a night.
SA: Korea definitely needs that energy after blowing that lead to Australia earlier today. Facing Japan on their home turf with a 12-game losing streak against them is no joke.
JT: Massive pressure, Mr. S. If young stars like Kim Do-yeong and Moon Hyun-bin pull off the upset, I might book a last-minute flight to Tokyo just to lose my voice with the 원정 응원단. Catch it tonight at 7:00 PM on TVING, SPOTV, or even in CGV theaters!
JT: What’s your pick this weekend?
SA: The football season is on pause this weekend for international games. South Korea is playing Saudi Arabia tonight at 1130PM then Qatar on Tuesday. Moreno is still coaching the team and yesterday in the papers there was a statement by the players saying the rumors of feuds are not true. Both matches will be in Qatar because Saudi Arabia is getting bombed.
JT: That’s also why the AFC Asian cup is postponed until 2027. But at least the war between the players is resolved. We’ll certainly find out this weekend if not.
SA: What’s your second pick?
JT: My second game of the week is a big one on the ice, and you know how much I love hockey my first love over baseball. But, we're looking at Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 2PM over in Anyang, where HL Anyang is hosting the Yokohama Grits in Asia League Ice Hockey action.
SA: Hold on now, JT. You know I respect your passion for the puck, and HL Anyang is a powerhouse in that league. They're a championship-caliber franchise, no doubt about it, especially on their home ice. But Yokohama Grits? Tell me why this matchup has your attention on a Saturday afternoon!
JT: Because it’s a huge game on Saturday afternoon that will bring playoff-level intensity. Anyang sets the pace with their speed and physicality, while Yokohama is always hungry to play spoiler and steal points on the road. If you want fast breaks, heavy checks, and great goaltending, this is the exact kind of hockey you tune in for. And Yokohama sits a point behind Anyang. Anyang currently sits in 4th place.
SA: Alright, alright, you're selling me on the energy in that building. Anyang Ice Rink gets loud, and when a team tries to come in there and upset the home favorite, fireworks usually follow. I'll be keeping an eye on that 4:00 PM puck drop to see if Anyang defends home ice or if Yokohama pulls off the shock!
JT: Don’t forget to stick around during intermission for their rules dance video that you can dance along to. And I know Mr. S likes to get jiggy with it.
SA: Na na na na na na (Sing that part of will smith get jiggy with it) And my final pick is for next weekend the 21st. 51 year old MMA fighter and TV star Choo Sung-man is fighting his last match on November 21st against Chris Leben in Gocheok Sky Dome. From Japan, he often fought under the name Yoshihiro Akiyama after 2002 when he left the Korean Judo team after issues with factionalism and favoritism and beat Korea in the 81 kilogram group in Busan’s Asian Games.
JT: What about his opponent Leben?
SA: Leben and he fought once 16 years ago with Leben being victorious. This is being called the Vendetta rematch.
JT: Tickets still available?
SA: The Joongang Daily says they sold out in under an hour. So you might be able to watch on cable or Youtube. The website didn’t say anything about pay-per-view. Also, the card name calls Choo quote Sexy Yama and Chris quote the Crippler. Theirs is the second card, with the first card being Bantamweight Champion Two Sin vs Mr. Perfect.
JT: Gotta love those hilarious wrestler nicknames. This is Choo’s first fight in 4 years, right?
SA: That’s right.
JT: Let’s hope his face doesn’t get so crippled he has to become a radio star. *joke star* MMA killed the TV staaaarrrr! *joke sting*
Ending
Copy Ending from previous multi-host episode
SA: A shoutout to our listeners in Bandongan Indonesia! A small district somewhere west of Magelang city that’s famous for…uh…hot peppers and a waterfall.
JT: And it’s famous for your favorite food! Eggplant!
SA: *stomach noises* ohhhh my stomach…hurts already.
JT: We’ll be back in 2 weeks with our soccer playoff previews and updates!
SA: (sound nausea) I’ll see you when I get off the john, Korean Sports fans! *stomach noises*
(AI voice) Guests of the Hwai-ting sports podcast get mullets at Mullet Catch hair salon, the best mullet salon in Gangwon Province! Have you wanted a throwback hairstyle to go with your 20 year old tennis shoes? Stop by Mullet Catch along the coast where you can see wayward North Korean subs get stuck in fishing nets! They will make you look like Billy Ray Cyrus! (speed up) Not responsible for giggles in public.
Notes
Democratic Party Intensifies Busan Outreach Ahead of 2028 Election
Ministry Recruits Large, Medium Dome Stadium Sites
Over 10 Regions Vie for Government Dome Stadiums
Local Governments Race to Build Dome Stadiums with Hotels, Malls
Talks about the costs and N Chungcheong dropping out
한국 야구, 이제 대만보다도 못한가… 잠실돔도 아시아 2류 전락? 일본까지 대만 우대한다(this article kinda makes korea seem jealous of japan and taiwan’s domes)
Sky-Visible 'Translucent Domes' Surge in the U.S.—What About South Korea?
Korea eyes new dome stadiums for sports, K-pop concerts
Aging baseball stadium in Jamsil to be replaced with 30,000-seat dome by 2032 - The Korea Times
Pledges to build domed stadiums mushroom ahead of June elections - The Korea Herald
Five Major Sports Facilities Face Partial Collapse Risks
Game 5 writeup; Samsung Lions Reclaim Korean Series Title
KT side: KT Wiz Collapse in Korean Series Game 5 Amid Defensive Errors
Interview with KT Manager: KT Wiz Suffer Listless Exit After Korean Series Defeat to Samsung Lions
Kwon Dong-jin avoids surgery after orbital fracture from batted ball in Korea Series - CHOSUNBIZ