The KBO stars of Home Run Derby X answer all 

There was plenty to smile about when the Dodgers emerged victorious at FTX MLB Home Run Derby X in Seoul recently. Home runs were blasted an unbelievable distance -- with Jocelyn Alo, filling in for the injured Paige Halstead -- smashing the longest of all.

The fans devoured the greatest ballpark and street food possible. And best of all, four of the KBO's greatest players in history -- Seung Yuop Lee, Tae Kyun Kim, Yong Taik Park and Keun Woo Jeong -- all came out of retirement to battle for home run supremacy.

Before we head to the Mexico City final on Oct. 15. when one team will be crowned the overall champion of HRDX, let's look back at what these KBO Heroes did in Seoul and find out a little more about them.

Unfortunately, Kim, the longtime Hanwha Eagles star and Yankees slugger for HRDX, was unavailable for comment.

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Yong Taik Park - Red Sox

HRDX stats: 26 home runs, 0 catch points, 33 total points

The all-time KBO hit king and beloved lifelong member of the LG Twins certainly felt the love from the crowd when he came out. Hundreds cheered wildly for Park, the local star who now broadcasts games with the Dodgers' Hero, Keun Woo Jeong. Unfortunately, with the Red Sox trailing by so many points late in the game, Park had to start aiming for targets and Boston came up just short.

"It was never going to be easy," Park said afterward. "I calculated it in my head and the chances were slim so I focused on hitting the target rather than getting a run."

Here's what he told us before the game:

MLB: You've had an amazing career and accomplished so much. What are you most proud of?

Park: I'm very proud to be the all-time hits leader, but also the fact that I played with one club for 19 years. Now that I've had my number retired, that was also a very proud moment.

MLB: Are there any players that were an early inspiration for you or that you admired?

Park: I looked up to Ichiro because our playing styles are very similar. And also there's a Korean player I looked up to, Byung Kyu Lee, who also had a very similar playing style. And then Shawn Green of the Dodgers in the early 2000s.

MLB: Is there a favorite stadium you've ever played at or favorite place to hit?

Park: Definitely my home ballpark -- Jamsil Stadium -- but also Busan because I have a lot of great memories from there.

MLB: Do you have a favorite memory?

Park: I get this question a lot, but every time I think about it, there's only one answer: My first career at-bat with the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium. That moment I can't forget.

Keun Woo Jeong - Dodgers

HRDX stats: 23 home runs, 7 catch points, 39 total points

The winner of HRDX's "Best Sense of Humor" (if only we did give out superlatives like in high school yearbooks), Jeong made sure everyone knew he was having a blast at HRDX. Whether hitting home runs, making diving plays in the field, or just doing a celebratory jig on stage, Jeong certainly lived it up en route to the Dodgers' victory. Of course, it helped that he made Park, his longtime broadcast partner, regret predicting that Jeong wasn't in his class as a home run hitter.

"I know it's been a while since I participated in a Home Run Derby and I definitely got super excited because of the environment," Jeong said after the champagne celebrations. "But I think what motivated me the most today was Yong Taik [Park]'s comment earlier."

MLB: You were a true five-tool player during your career. What are you most proud of?

Jeong: All of it! (laughs)

MLB: What players did you look up to or were inspired by?

Jeong: I grew up watching Jung Tae Park of the Lotte Giants and Shin Soo Choo. I saw how hard he worked at training and his craft and that's how I found inspiration to play baseball.

MLB: What was it like having fans chant for you when you're at the plate? Is that something you can even hear or do you just tune it out?

Jeong: Yes, I could hear it and it was definitely a source of energy. But when the pandemic hit, you could really feel that the stands were empty. Pretty much because of that, it's part of the reason why I ended my career.

MLB: How was training for HRDX? Are the smaller field dimensions difficult?

Jeong: I'm currently on a TV show ["A Clean Sweep"]. It's pretty much a retired baseball player versus an amateur. I've been training and playing about once or twice every two weeks, so training is fine.

In terms of the field size, well, I'm also very small.

Seung Yuop Lee - Cubs

HRDX stats: 11 home runs, 2 catch points, 17 total points

A five-time KBO MVP Award winner. 626 career home runs across the KBO and NPB. Heck, Lee even managed to hit a parked car during batting practice the day before the event. Though he had never won a Home Run Derby in his playing career, many -- including Park -- expected him to win the whole thing.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Though he had some of the most majestic blasts of the day, Lee also got under too many balls and gave up too many catch points (6).

"What a shame. I’m embarrassed," Lee joked afterward. "I told everyone that I’ll be the guy with the most homers today, but maybe I talked too soon and too much. The other team made some great catches as well. But I thought it was really fun and I think everyone including myself felt a little like we were back in our playing days."

MLB: Do you have a favorite baseball memory or moment that stands out?

Lee: The home run that sent us to the final [at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics]. It was the first time that Korea had advanced to an Olympic final.

MLB: Who was your baseball hero growing up?

Lee: Ken Griffey Jr.

MLB: How do you feel about HRDX's smaller field of play?

Lee: I can't pull the ball [here] -- and that's where I hit the most home runs. The 45 degree angle in center field -- that is the biggest challenge.

MLB: If a young fan saw you this weekend and was inspired to play the game, what would you tell them?

Lee: As a retired player, I don't think there's anything that I can show -- even at this event! For any young players, just growing up and playing the game, you should have goals and have a role model like I did with Ken Griffey Jr. and other Korean baseball players. Having a goal like that and running towards that, I'm sure you'll surpass it and can be a better baseball player.

Translation assistance courtesy Joe Na, SunJae Song, Chris Han and Eugene Koo.