Korean Athlete Goes Viral For His "Street Casting" Tale—And The Visual To Back It Up

Jang Jin Hyuk has been an outfielder for the Hanhwa Eagles baseball team since 2016…

422916941_1812810212513312_1143328223346255169_n — Jang Jin Hyuk | *@j_jinhyuk_/Instagram*

…but had he chosen to accept an offer he received in college, he could have been living a completely different lifestyle!

For Hanhwa fans, Jang Jin Hyuk getting a street casting offer is a tale as old as time, but in a recent video posted to the Eagles TV YouTube channel, Jang shared never-heard-before details.

kQTVxE — Jang Jin Hyuk as a college student. | *theqoo*

Jang was on his way to the gym, in a tight-fitting workout shirt and sweatpants, when someone—who later introduced himself as actor Jung Woo Sung’s manager—came running up to him and handed him a business card.

When I was in college, I lived in a dorm in Hannam-dong that was off campus. Since I wasn’t on campus, I worked out at a private gym. I was on my way there, walking down Hannam-daero Street, when someone came running up to me. At the time, I was wearing a short-sleeve workout top and some sweatpants…

The person introduced himself as Jung Woo Sung’s manager and handed me his business card, explaining why he stopped me. He told me to swing by the company when I had time, but I didn’t go. I never even contacted him.

— Jang Jin Hyuk

While Jang did look up the company out of curiosity, he turned down the offer. Jang revealed he was “too crazy about baseball” to think much about the casting.

47583429_1957533374541409_3034479060315466313_n — Actor Jung Woo Sung | *@tojws/Instagram*

I was too crazy about baseball. I was completely focused on growing as a baseball player, and as I’m sure other players do, I worked really hard on my skills. I had a lot of hopes and dreams for myself as an athlete. So… I didn’t think too much about the offer.

I did look up the company out of curiosity, to be honest. And it was, indeed, Jung Woo Sung’s management. The person actually appeared on TV later as Jung Woo Sung’s manager, too. That was kind of a cool experience.

— Jang Jin Hyuk

Following the video, online communities began buzzing over what a good-looking athlete Jang really is!

Screenshot 2024-06-30 at 3.21.42 PM — | *theqoo*

“He chose baseball over a street casting offer?! How good is he at baseball?”
“His dimples remind me of Hyun Bin.”
“Even his voice is handsome. That low tone, haha.”
“He’s such an oppa. So good-looking.”
“Saved!”
“He’s an athlete, so not a lot of care is going into his looks. Imagine how much hotter he’d be with the celebrity treatement.”
“Oppa!”