Kia Tigers pitcher Kim Do-hyun said, "It was a new face that we did not expect during the process of integrating the team's victory in 2024. The team's long-cherished desire was to produce 150 kilometers per hour of right-handed fireball resources from Kia's starting lineup, which had been focused on left-handedness. Kim wants to turn his focus toward him into confidence in 2025. 안전놀이터

Kim Do-hyun and Hwang Dong-ha contributed greatly to the team's victory in the 2024 regular season of Kia. The two players made surprise appearances amid a crisis of starting lineup injuries that continued from the beginning of the season, and filled the rotation of starting pitchers until the end of the season. 

In particular, Kim drew attention as he pitched faster than expected by playing 150 km/h or higher. Kim, who joined the Hanwha Eagles as the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the fourth round in 2019, wore the KIA uniform through trade (opposite benefit pitcher Lee Min-woo and outfielder Lee Jin-young) at the beginning of the 2022 season. 

Kim returned from active military service and joined the first team midway through the 2024 season. Kim, who showed impressive performance in the relief team during the first half due to his remarkably elevated speed, was given the opportunity to start at the beginning of the second half. Kim, who took the mound after the absence of back injury to previous starting pitcher Yoon Young-chul, played a key role in the starting pitcher rotation in the second half with three wins. 

In 35 games (75 innings) in the 2024 season, Kim pitched four games, six losses and three holds with a 4.92 ERA, 59 strikeouts, 31 walks, and WHIP 1.57, making his first comeback season easy. In two relief appearances in the Korean Series, Kim pitched well, allowing one hit, three strikeouts and one walk in a total of three innings. 

Kim Do-hyun, who recently met with the Expots News, said, "I didn't know that so many things would happen after I was discharged. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to play in the first division. Thanks to the trust of coach Lee Bum-ho and coaches, I was able to have a season where I could grow to the next level," adding, "There are many players who are retiring after never stepping on the stage of the Korean Series. I was so happy to play in the Korean Series and wear the championship ring."

Kim Do-hyun was also touched by Kia fans' love at the car parade to celebrate the victory held in Gwangju last year. "I thought it would rain the day before the parade, so not many fans would come. But it was amazing that they filled the city, and I was very thankful. I think I should win again next year to enjoy such a happy experience with fans," Kim said with a smile. 

Kim Do-hyun also thanked coach Lee Jae-young (Begin Sports Academy in Gangdong-gu, Seoul), who gave a lot of advice personally. 

Kim Do-hyun said, "Coach Lee Jae-young gave me a lot of advice because he contacted me often even after being discharged from the military. In particular, there was something that he kept emphasizing when it came to ball control and using curves. That came out well in September last year, especially when he made the final start of the regular season with Samsung (three hits, seven strikeouts and two walks in seven innings). He/she has been watching me for a long time since high school, and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you." 

Kim is facing fierce internal competition to enter the starting rotation again in 2025. If Yoon Young-chul and Lee Eui-ri, the existing left-handers, join the team, Kim will have to compete with Hwang Dong-ha, Kim Ki-hoon, and rookie Kim Tae-hyung. Kim also viewed last year's achievements as a long time gone by. 

Kim Do-hyun said, "I still don't think there is a place for me to keep. I have to compete again to take that place. As a person, I have more greed and worries, but I try to prepare with the same mindset as possible. As a right-handed starting pitcher, I will work hard and challenge myself to meet my expectations and make sure to enter the starting position."