KT's Choi Won-jun sets KBO single-season hits record at 203, then 204
In short
KT Wiz leadoff hitter Choi Won-jun set a new KBO single-season hits record on Oct. 7, doubling in the fifth inning for his 202nd hit to tie the mark, singling in the seventh for 203 and adding an RBI single in the eighth for 204. The previous record of 202 hits was set by Victor Reyes of the Lotte Giants in 2024. Reyes also reached 203 hits the same day, and with four games left to KT's two, the record could change again.
Read the full story 2 min read
Choi Won-jun of the KT Wiz set a KBO single-season hits record on Oct. 7, singling in the seventh inning of a home game against the Samsung Lions at Suwon KT Wiz Park for his 203rd hit of the season, then adding a 204th hit in the eighth, Yonhap and Newsis reported. The previous record of 202 hits was set by Victor Reyes of the Lotte Giants in 2024. Choi finished the game 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run, according to Newsis. [ 2 , 7 , 10 , 12 ]
Choi's 202nd hit, a two-out double to right-centre in the fifth inning, tied the record and also moved him past Seo Geon-chang's mark for most hits in a season by a Korean-born player, Chosun Ilbo reported. He then singled off Samsung reliever Lee Seung-hyun in the seventh with a runner on first for the record, and drove in a run with a single in the eighth with one out and runners on second and third. [ 2 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]
Reyes also had two hits against the KIA Tigers at Sajik Stadium the same day to reach 203, leaving the two level in several reports. Lotte has four games remaining to KT's two, and Choi said he expects Reyes to finish ahead of him. [ 2 , 12 ]
“I am very happy to set the record, but with Reyes around I do not know how I feel,” Choi said, according to Newsis. He said beating Seo Geon-chang's record was meaningful and that having two fewer games than Reyes was a big difference, describing Reyes as a “monster” player he respects. [ 12 ]
KT's win was also marked by Sam Hilliard's grand slam with two outs, his 42nd home run of the season, Newsis reported. It was Hilliard's fourth grand slam of the year, tying a single-season record shared by Park Jae-hong (1999), Kim Sang-hyun (2009) and Kang Min-ho (2015), and it moved him past Austin Dean of the LG Twins (41) into second in home runs, one behind Kim Do-young of the KIA Tigers (43). KT starter So Hyung-jun pitched five scoreless innings for his ninth win, while Samsung starter Won Tae-in took his ninth loss. [ 7 , 10 , 13 , 14 ]
KT signed Choi to a four-year, 4.8 billion-won free-agent contract in late November last year, a deal that drew “overpay” and “panic buying” criticism after he hit .242 in the 2025 season, Newsis reported. The same report said KT had missed out that winter on Kang Baek-ho, Park Chan-ho and Park Hae-min. [ 5 , 12 ]
KT, which clinched first place in the regular season two days earlier for the first time in five years, has two games left before the Korean Series, which Newsis reported begins next month on the 2nd. The record stood at 204 hits in the latest reports, with Seoul Shinmun noting it could keep changing as Choi and Reyes play out the season. [ 8 , 12 , 14 , 15 ]
Why it matters
The mark is the KBO's single-season hits record, set with two games left in a season in which KT has already clinched first place. Because Reyes has more games remaining, the record may change again before the season ends, giving the final round of games added significance for domestic baseball audiences.
Key facts
- Choi Won-jun of the KT Wiz set the KBO single-season hits record with his 203rd hit on Oct. 7, 2026, and later reached 204. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 ]
- The previous record of 202 hits was set by Victor Reyes of the Lotte Giants in 2024. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 10 , 12 ]
- Choi's 202nd hit, a two-out double in the fifth inning, tied the record and moved him past Seo Geon-chang's mark for most hits in a season by a Korean-born player. [ 2 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
- Choi singled off Samsung reliever Lee Seung-hyun in the seventh inning for the record and drove in a run with a single in the eighth. [ 2 , 7 , 10 , 12 ]
- Reyes had two hits against the KIA Tigers at Sajik Stadium the same day to reach 203 hits, with Lotte having four games remaining to KT's two. [ 2 , 12 ]
- KT beat the Samsung Lions 9-3 for an eighth straight win, moving to 88 wins, 5 draws and 49 losses; Samsung stands at 83-3-55. [ 7 , 8 , 10 , 13 , 14 ]
- Sam Hilliard hit a grand slam, his 42nd home run of the season and his fourth grand slam, tying the KBO single-season record. [ 13 , 14 ]
- Choi said he expects Reyes to break the record given the extra games remaining for Lotte. [ 12 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Choi Won-jun set the KBO single-season hits record with his 203rd hit on Oct. 7, 2026, and later reached 204. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 ]
- The previous record of 202 hits was set by Victor Reyes of the Lotte Giants in 2024. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 10 , 12 ]
- KT beat the Samsung Lions 9-3 for its eighth straight win, improving to 88-5-49. [ 7 , 8 , 10 , 13 , 14 ]
- Sam Hilliard hit his 42nd home run of the season, a grand slam. [ 13 , 14 ]
- KT has two games remaining and Lotte four, with Reyes on 203 hits. [ 2 , 12 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Choi keeps the record: Reyes has four games left to KT's two, and Choi said he expects Reyes to pass him. The games-remaining counts come from Yonhap and Newsis and Choi's own comments; the outcome will be settled in the remaining games.
- Which inning Sam Hilliard's grand slam came in. One Newsis report places it in the eighth inning and a later Newsis report places it in the ninth.
- The record total cited in reports moved from 203 to 204 between publications. Documents were published while the game was still in progress, so earlier reports carry the lower figure.
- Choi's 202nd hit moved him past Seo Geon-chang's record for most hits in a single season by a Korean-born player. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Chosun Ilbo publishes a flash report that Choi Won-jun has set the KBO single-season hits record. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports Choi's 203rd hit as the new single-season record. [ 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports Choi's 202nd hit moved him past Seo Geon-chang's Korean-born single-season hits record. [ 6 ]
- Newsis reports KT's 9-3 win over Samsung for an eighth straight win and Choi at 204 hits. [ 7 ]
- Newsis publishes Choi's comments saying he expects Reyes to break the record. [ 12 ]
- Newsis reports Sam Hilliard's grand slam tying the KBO single-season grand slam record. [ 14 ]
- Seoul Shinmun reports that the 204-hit record may keep changing. [ 15 ]