Look-alike Fun! Actor Yang Gyeong-won's KIA Tigers Ceremonial Pitch Steals the Show

Actor Yang Gyeong-won is capturing the attention of baseball fans, appearing as the ceremonial pitcher for the KIA Tigers.

Yang Gyeong-won took the mound at the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field for the game between the KIA Tigers and the Hanwha Eagles. He gained widespread fame for his role as Pyo Chi-su in the drama 'Crash Landing on You,' and is already well-known among baseball enthusiasts for his striking resemblance to KIA outfielder Kim Ho-ryeong.

Before the pitch, Yang Gyeong-won surprised fans by appearing in a KIA uniform alongside players Na Sung-beom and Oh Sun-woo in the outfield, in place of Kim Ho-ryeong. Following the national anthem, he playfully swapped places with Kim Ho-ryeong, who was in the dugout, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Standing on the pitcher's mound, Yang Gyeong-won expressed his gratitude, stating, 'Every game is precious and valuable, so I am truly thankful for this invitation as a ceremonial pitcher.' He added with spirit, 'I consider myself lucky in life. Today, I will throw my good fortune along with my pitch to the KIA Tigers.'

Yang Gyeong-won's pitch was impeccable, drawing praise from commentators and even surprising Kim Ho-ryeong, who watched from the outfield. After his pitch, he humorously channeled Pyo Chi-su by giving Kim Ho-ryeong a salute. Kim Ho-ryeong, known for his introverted nature, responded with a salute of his own, creating a heartwarming moment.

According to an on-site source, player Na Sung-beom escorted Yang Gyeong-won to the center of the field and asked how he felt. Yang Gyeong-won reportedly replied, 'I'm very nervous but feeling great,' and expressed his appreciation for Na Sung-beom's kindness.

Regarding the encounter between the look-alike duo, the source mentioned, 'Actor Yang Gyeong-won found it fascinating and delightful to meet Kim Ho-ryeong in person after only seeing him on TV.' They added, 'The salute performance was Kim Ho-ryeong's idea, and Yang Gyeong-won likely felt proud and reassured by Kim Ho-ryeong's salute on the vast field.'

The resemblance between the two created a cheerful atmosphere even before the game began. Yang Gyeong-won stayed to passionately cheer for the game and exchanged another salute with Kim Ho-ryeong after his hit. However, despite Yang Gyeong-won's enthusiastic support, the KIA Tigers unfortunately lost the game.

The source revealed that Yang Gyeong-won received baseball coaching and practiced separately for the ceremonial pitch, even carrying a baseball daily to get accustomed to it. Kim Ho-ryeong also provided direct coaching on the day of the pitch. Yang Gyeong-won expressed regret over the game's outcome and conveyed his wish to visit again if his luck were to improve further.

Yang Gyeong-won debuted in 2010 with the musical '42nd Street.' He rose to stardom playing Pyo Chi-su in the 2020 drama 'Crash Landing on You.' Since then, he has showcased his unique acting talent in numerous productions like 'Hi Bye, Mama!', 'Vincenzo,' and 'Big Mouth,' maintaining a prominent presence in the industry.