``The most beloved Japanese player in the history of Korean sports'' visits South Korea, and Otani's Hot Topic stirs excitement in Japan

Ahead of the opening series between the U.S. Major League Dodgers and Padres on the 20th and 21st of this month in Seoul, South Korea, Dodgers player Shohei Otani and others visited Incheon, South Korea on the 15th.
River) Arrived at the international airport. The airport was filled with reporters from Japan, the US, and South Korea, as well as a large number of fans, creating a huge fever. Niizuma was also seen behind Otani. Prior to this, the team's OfficialX (
In the early hours of the 15th, the former Twitter account posted a photo of Otani smiling and cuddling with a woman in front of a plane bound for South Korea. Later, the team explained through OfficialX that she was ``his wife.'' Otani was on the 29th of last month.
He announced his marriage to a Japanese woman on his Instagram. The next day, on the 31st, he responded to an interview with the press, but only spoke of the woman as ``a normal person.'' Korean media reacts to the sudden public disclosure of his wife.
Dia reported this hot topic not only in sports newspapers but also in general newspapers and economic newspapers. Otani is also very popular in South Korea, with some calling him ``the most beloved Japanese athlete in the history of Korean sports.''
According to data from the Korean big data site "SOME TREND," the number of Korean internet environments (Instagram, blogs,
The amount of mentions of "Otani" in News, X) increased by 314% from the year before. Japan defeated the United States in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final held last year.
When he won, the Korean news agency, Yonhap News, praised Otani, who was selected as tournament MVP, saying, ``This WBC was a tournament by Otani and for Otani.'' ``Otani's last moment
The ball also ensured victory for the Japanese national team, who set out to become number one in the world. Otani, who rarely shows his emotions on and off the field, threw down his gloves and hat, expressing his joy at victory.
"I was immersed in it," he said. When Otani announced his marriage on the 29th of last month, various Korean media also broke the news, and a news portal site posted at the time, ``No one knew... 'Blitz marriage announcement' Otani.''
(Sportal Korea), “Otani, surprise marriage announcement” (JTBC), “Superstar Otani, surprise announcement” (STN Sports), “Tell me it’s a lie”
There were articles with headlines such as ``Fans' explosive reaction'' (My Daily). Korean readers who read the article expressed congratulations and surprise, and on social media, ``I don't care who Cinderella is.''
Similar to Japan, there were comments expressing interest in the ``partner'', such as ``I will become.'' Meanwhile, the Official
He posted a photo of himself cuddling with a woman in front of an airplane. The woman revealed that she is Otani's wife. Otani also posted on his Instagram that the Otani couple, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, etc.
I published a photo. This Hot Topic was the main focus of Japanese information programs on the morning of the 15th, and various media outlets in South Korea also reported on it.
Otani's wife is former basketball player Mamiko Tanaka. 2 from 2019
She played for the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Japanese Women's Basketball League until 2023. While the sudden reveal of his new wife became a hot topic, Otani and other Dodgers players attended the Padres on the afternoon of the 15th.
They arrived in South Korea ahead of the opening game against South Korea. A large number of fans and reporters gathered at Incheon International Airport, and cheers erupted from everywhere as he appeared from the gate with his wife. In the major leagues, the opening game
He sometimes brings his family along to milestone games such as playoffs. The Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo said, ``His wife followed a few steps behind.More than 300 fans cheered for Otani to enter the country.''
I told them about the situation inside the airport. The opening game between the Dodgers and Padres will be held on the 20th and 21st at the Kocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Major League Baseball's opening game will be held outside of the United States
This is the 9th time, but the first time it will be held in South Korea. It attracted a lot of attention, and when tickets for the 20th match went on sale on the official website in January of this year, they sold out in just 8 minutes.