Currently, he is embodying the responsibility that befits his status as a leading Major League Baseball player representing Korea, as he navigates the field.

On the 24th (Korea time), the U.S. media outlet East Bay Times published an interview article titled "Lee Jung-hoo's hot start began with comfort," introducing Lee Jung-hoo's current lifestyle, his adaptation to the team, and evaluations from the coaching staff.

Lee Jung-hoo dominated the KBO League until the 2023 season and embarked on a challenge on the American stage through posting. He signed a massive contract worth $113 million (162 billion won) for six years with San Francisco. This contract is the highest ever for a player from the KBO. San Francisco expressed its expectations by offering a contract that is among the most notable in the franchise's history, and Lee Jung-hoo carries this heavy responsibility onto the field. Additionally, he is determined to uphold the pride of Korean Major League players.

Therefore, the burden of having undergone surgery after injuring his shoulder during last year's defensive processes can feel even greater. He needed to undergo an adaptation period in his first season with the contract last year, but this year, he is in the process of adapting again. The outlet explained, "A clear fact is that after signing a six-year, $113 million contract with the Giants, his entire life has been turned upside down. He has to learn about a new team, new teammates, new coaching staff, a new country and culture, a new language, and new customs. And he has become the face of the franchise without having played a single game."

Bob Melvin, the manager, noted in an interview with the outlet, "If I were to go to Japan or another winter league, I would understand what they have to go through," adding, "Clubs are doing their best to help players adapt, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Especially for players coming from Asia, it’s a completely different experience."

He highly praised Lee Jung-hoo's adaptation process last year. The outlet mentioned, "Lee Jung-hoo's rookie season ended after 37 games, but after loosening his arm guard, he consistently appeared in the dugout, whether at home or away, alongside interpreter Justin Han. Manager Melvin said he considers that time valuable."

Melvin explained, "His first year was not only about learning a new league but also living in a new country and learning a new language. Lee Jung-hoo faced many challenges." However, he noted that this year he has become much more accustomed to America and the team since the beginning of spring training. In an interview with the outlet, Lee Jung-hoo said, "Comfort is the most important thing, whether inside the clubhouse or on the field," adding, "I've become friends with all the players, and we've all grown closer. Everything has become much easier. Knowing what to expect is the biggest difference."

Pat Burrell, the batting coach who has been watching from the side, remarked, "Lee Jung-hoo has learned enough from last year to know exactly what he needs to do. He is an incredible player, so after surgery, he quickly recovered and got right back to himself. Now, his swing is even more relaxed. He generally looks comfortable at the plate. It's enjoyable to watch, and he certainly captures the attention of many people."

He mentioned that this comfort translates into a consolidation in his batting stance and performance. He highlighted, "His hand-eye coordination is strong. He tracks the ball exceptionally well. His judgment is outstanding, and his approach to viewing the strike zone is stable. He doesn’t rush. Most importantly, Lee Jung-hoo believes in himself."

Lee Jung-hoo emerged as the leading hitter for the team based on trust and confidence. On the 24th, in a home game against the Milwaukee Brewers during a four-game series at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, he was selected as the starting center fielder, achieving three hits in four at-bats with one run. He had been silent the previous day with no hits in four at-bats, and his recent hitting form seemed to be fluctuating, but he exploded again.

The outlet stated, "Even if Lee Jung-hoo is worried, he does not show it at all. He has drawn significant attention from both U.S. and Korean media. This is perhaps to be expected," adding, "In addition to the Jung-hoo Crew created by the club, an independent fan group called the 'Hooligans' has also emerged. Whenever Lee Jung-hoo steps to the plate, chants of 'Jung! Hoo! Lee!' ring out. Regarding this popularity, Lee Jung-hoo emphasized responsibility over burden.

"I believe it is my responsibility to show results equal to what I receive from the team. And if I leave a good impression here, I think there will be more opportunities for KBO players to come to America and play," he stressed, once again underscoring the responsibility of being a representative Major League Baseball player from Korea.

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