No Si-hwan’s Inspiring Comeback: How He Made History with His First Home Run in 2026 KBO!

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[Sports Seoul | Jamsil = Kang Yoon-sik] “I didn’t realize veteran Son Ah-seop had that side to him.”

Hanwha outfielder Noh Si-hwan, 27, left the field smiling after a strong performance in his first game back with the big-league club. On a night to remember, Noh also shared a touching story about Son Ah-seop, 38, who was traded while Noh was in the minors. Son’s decision to wear No. 8 moved his younger teammate deeply.

Hanwha beat LG 8-4 on April 23 at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul in the 2026 KBO regular season. After dropping the first two games of the series, the Eagles held off an LG rally and snapped a two-game skid.

Noh was the game’s standout. He tied the game with a fourth-inning home run — his first of the season — and finished with two hits (including the homer), a walk, one RBI and one run scored.

Noh had struggled at the plate early in the season and was removed from the first-team roster on April 13. He rejoined the club on April 21 and was officially reinstated on April 23. Hitting a home run in his first game back made the moment even more meaningful.

He credited several people for helping him while he was in the minors. Hitting coach Kim Ki-tae worked on his swing, fans sent messages and showed up to support him, and one teammate stood out: Son, who had been traded to Doosan.

Son was traded to Doosan while Noh was in the minors. Doosan initially offered No. 36, but Son declined and asked for No. 8 — the number worn by the younger player he cared for most at Hanwha. Son said he chose 8 as a gesture of solidarity, essentially saying, “Let’s do this together.”

That choice clearly touched Noh. After the April 23 game, Noh told reporters, “I was really moved. I didn’t know my senior had this side to him. He used to joke around and give me a hard time, but after reading that article I felt deeply touched. I want to tell him thank you,” he said with a smile.

The two also spoke privately. “In his interview he said he took No. 8 because he wanted us to do well together, but he was too shy to say it directly, so he joked, ‘Wasn’t 8 the only number left?'” Noh recounted.

“We’d planned to have dinner that day, but he was traded suddenly,” Noh said. “Honestly, I think it was for the best — he’ll do even better there. Still, I’m disappointed our time playing together was so short.”

Son homered in his Doosan debut, and Noh homered in his return to the first team. With Doosan’s No. 8 Son and Hanwha’s No. 8 Noh both showing they can deliver, both players look ready to take off. skywalker@sportsseoul.com