Imagine a pitcher who burst out of the gate in 2025, winning his first seven starts in dominant fashion, posting a sub-2.50 ERA through the first two months, and looking every bit like the undisputed ace of the Lotte Giants — even leading the world in wins by early May — only to encounter a brutal second-half collapse that saw his ERA balloon and his overall record settle at 11-13. That pitcher is Park Se Woong, the veteran right-hander affectionately nicknamed the “Glasses Ace” by Lotte fans for his signature eyewear and unflappable demeanor on the mound.
At 30 years old (born November 30, 1995), Park Se Woong has quietly established himself as one of the KBO League‘s most reliable and durable native starting pitchers over the past decade. With over 1,200 career strikeouts, multiple double-digit win seasons, and a reputation for eating innings even in the toughest stretches, he represents the backbone of the Lotte Giants’ rotation.
This in-depth profile dives deep into Park Se Woong‘s journey — from his high-school days in Daegu to his blockbuster trade to Lotte, his breakout performances, injury setbacks, pitching evolution, and the rollercoaster that was his 2025 campaign. Whether you’re a passionate Lotte Giants fan, a KBO enthusiast tracking Korea’s homegrown talent, or simply curious about one of the league’s most consistent pitchers, this comprehensive guide provides more detailed analysis, updated statistics, and expert insights than any other article currently available.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Park Se Woong grew up in Daegu, South Korea, where baseball quickly became a central part of his life. Like many young Korean boys, he was first introduced to the sport through watching games with his father. By elementary school, he was already showing promise as a pitcher, attending Daegu Kyungwoon Elementary and Kyungwoon Middle School before moving on to the prestigious Kyeongbuk High School — one of Korea’s most storied baseball powerhouses, which has produced numerous KBO stars including Lee Dae-ho, Yang Hyeon-jong, and Yang Eui-ji.
During his high-school years, Park developed a reputation for a lively fastball and sharp breaking stuff, though he was not considered the absolute top prospect in his class. In the 2014 KBO Draft, the newly expanded KT Wiz selected Park Se Woong in the 1st round (regional draft pick) — a significant honor for a high-school pitcher. Rather than immediately joining the majors, he spent his first professional season (2014) in the KBO Futures League (second-tier), where he posted solid numbers and showcased flashes of the strikeout ability that would later define his career.
Professional Debut and Trade to Lotte Giants
Park Se Woong made his KBO League debut on April 1, 2015, pitching in relief for the KT Wiz. However, he struggled to find consistency in a crowded rotation and bullpen during those early months.
Just four months into the 2015 season, the KT Wiz made a blockbuster trade with the Lotte Giants, sending Park Se Woong and cash considerations to Busan in exchange for veteran catcher Jang Sung-woo. At the time, the deal was seen as a salary-related move by KT, but it proved to be a career-defining moment for Park.
The move to Lotte gave him stability, a clear path to the rotation, and the chance to develop under one of the league’s most passionate fanbases. He quickly adapted to the pressure of pitching in Sajik Baseball Stadium, one of the most electric venues in Korean baseball, and began building the foundation for his long-term success in Busan.
Career Highlights and Key Milestones
2017 Breakthrough Season
Park Se Woong truly arrived in 2017, posting a 13-8 record with a 3.76 ERA over 30 starts and 184 ⅔ innings — his first full season as a frontline starter. His 162 strikeouts ranked among the league leaders, and he earned a spot on South Korea’s roster for the Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), where he started the championship game against Japan (pitching 3+ innings and allowing one earned run, though he took the loss).
Overcoming Elbow Surgery (2018)
In 2018, Park faced his biggest career setback: elbow bone chip removal surgery in July after struggling with injuries. He missed the second half of the season but returned in 2019 stronger, posting a 3.94 ERA in limited action and demonstrating improved command and pitch mix.
Peak Years (2019–2023)
From 2019 to 2023, Park Se Woong established himself as one of the KBO‘s most consistent native starters, known for durability and steady performance:
- 2020: 11-7, 3.88 ERA, 183 ⅔ IP (improved second-half surge)
- 2021: 10-9, 4.04 ERA, consistent innings eater
- 2022: 9-9, 3.89 ERA
- 2023: 9-7, 3.45 ERA (career-best ERA, strong quality starts)
He became known for his ability to eat innings even when his ERA wasn’t elite, frequently throwing 170+ innings and providing stability to a rotation that often lacked depth.
Awards & Recognition
- 2017 Joah Pharmaceutical Pro Baseball Award (Skill Development)
- Multiple All-Star selections
- Frequent top-10 finishes in KBO strikeouts and wins
- Six consecutive seasons with 100+ strikeouts and 100+ innings by 2025
Pitching Style and Repertoire
Park Se Woong is a classic power pitcher with excellent secondary offerings and veteran savvy.
Primary Pitches
- Four-seam fastball: Average velocity ~147–148 km/h, tops out at 154 km/h. His best pitch when located up in the zone for swing-and-miss.
- Slider: Hard, late-breaking slider (85–88 mph) that generates a high whiff rate, especially against right-handers.
- Splitter: Significantly developed since 2020; his go-to put-away pitch, particularly effective against right-handed hitters with sharp downward action.
- Curveball: Slower, looping breaker used early in counts for deception.
- Two-seam fastball / Changeup (occasional): Added for variety against lefties, helping reduce platoon splits.
Strengths
- High strikeout rate (career K/9 ~8.0–8.5, peaking at 8.7 in 2025)
- Durability — routinely throws 160–190 innings per season
- Veteran poise — excels in high-leverage situations and has shown strong crisis management (e.g., stranding runners in key spots)
Weaknesses
- Home run prone (especially when fastball command falters or vertical movement dips)
- Second-half fatigue — a recurring theme in multiple seasons, including 2019, 2022, and notably 2025
2025 Season Deep Dive: A Tale of Two Halves
The 2025 season for Park Se Woong was defined by an incredible hot start followed by a prolonged slump — a pattern that frustrated fans but highlighted both his potential and vulnerabilities.
Explosive First Half (March–May)
Park Se Woong started 2025 like a man possessed:
- Won his first 7 starts consecutively
- Posted an ERA under 2.54 through his first 8 games (49.2 IP, 7-1, 60 strikeouts)
- Led the world in wins by early May and ranked among league leaders in strikeouts and quality starts
- Vertical movement on his fastball improved dramatically (~10 cm better than 2024), leading to better results against hitters
He looked like a legitimate Cy Young candidate and gave Lotte hope of contending early in the season.
Mid-Season & Second-Half Collapse (June–October)
From June onward, everything unraveled:
- Command issues — more walks, higher hard contact, and leaving fastballs over the middle
- Home runs allowed spiked (15 total, many in clusters during poor stretches)
- ERA ballooned significantly in the second half
- Finished with 11–13 record over 160 ⅔ innings, leading the league in hits allowed (183) and self-earned runs (88)
Despite the rough finish, he reached double-digit wins for the fourth time in his career, struck out 156 batters (6th straight 100+ K season), and provided valuable innings to a rotation that needed stability.
Final 2025 Stats (29 GS, 160 ⅔ IP)
- Record: 11–13
- ERA: 4.93
- WHIP: 1.48
- Strikeouts: 156 (K/9: 8.7)
- Hits allowed: 183 (league leader)
- Home runs allowed: 15
- Walks: 54 (BB/9: 3.0)
- Quality starts: 12
Lotte finished 7th in the league with a 66-72-6 record, missing the playoffs, and Park‘s second-half struggles were a key factor in the rotation’s inconsistency.
Career Statistics Overview
Through 2025 (11 seasons)
- Wins–Losses: 79–101
- ERA: 4.65
- Strikeouts: 1,204+
- Innings pitched: ~1,489
- Quality starts: 100+
Year-by-Year Snapshot (Key Seasons)
- 2017: 13–8, 3.76 ERA (breakout)
- 2022: 9–9, 3.89 ERA
- 2023: 9–7, 3.45 ERA (career-best ERA)
- 2024: 6–11, 4.78 ERA
- 2025: 11–13, 4.93 ERA
His cumulative durability stands out — few native starters have matched his innings load over the past decade.
Personal Life and Off-Field Insights
Park Se Woong is beloved by Lotte Giants fans for his humility, work ethic, and signature glasses — earning him the enduring nickname “Glasses Ace.”
In recent years, his brother Park Se-jin (a left-handed pitcher) has been part of the KBO ecosystem, adding a family element to his story. Off the field, Park is known for his loyalty to Lotte and his focus on continuous improvement, often working with analytics teams to refine his arsenal.
Future Outlook and Legacy
Entering age 31 in 2026, Park Se Woong remains one of the KBO‘s most reliable native starters. With a focus on regaining early-season command, reducing home runs, and maintaining health, he has a realistic path to 100 career wins and could be a key piece if Lotte returns to the playoffs.
His legacy as a durable, homegrown ace in Busan is already secure — one of the few consistent native starters of his generation in a league often dominated by imports.
FAQs
Q: Is Park Se Woong the same as actor Park Sung-woong or Park Seo-joon? A: No. Park Se Woong is strictly a professional baseball pitcher for the Lotte Giants — no connection to Korean entertainment figures.
Q: Why did his 2025 season fall apart in the second half? A: A combination of fatigue from high early innings, command lapses, reduced vertical movement on his fastball, and higher hard-contact rates led to blowup outings — a pattern seen in previous high-volume seasons.
Q: What is his best pitch? A: His four-seam fastball and slider combination for swing-and-miss, with the splitter becoming increasingly dominant as a chase pitch in recent years.
Q: Has Park Se Woong ever won a major KBO award? A: While he hasn’t claimed a Cy Young or MVP, his 2017 skill development award and consistent top-10 leaderboard appearances highlight his status as a top native starter.
This skyscraper-level guide provides unmatched depth, 2025-specific analysis, and fan-focused insights to help you truly appreciate Park Se Woong‘s contributions to Korean baseball. As he enters the next chapter, fans hope for a return to that dominant early-2025 form. Stay tuned for his 2026 push!
