Kiwoom vs kt
Overview
The Kiwoom Heroes (Seoul) and kt wiz (Suwon) are two representative teams of the KBO League, with their full-fledged matchups beginning after kt wiz joined the first division in 2015. The two teams have formed a unique rivalry due to their different founding periods and operational styles, and they have frequently met in the postseason in the 2020s, drawing significant fan attention. This document comprehensively covers the all-time records, major games, player movements, and head-to-head statistics between the two teams.
Main Content
Historical Background
The Kiwoom Heroes were founded in 2008 after the dissolution of the Hyundai Unicorns, adopting their current team name in 2019. In contrast, kt wiz is a newer team, founded in 2013 and joining the first division in 2015. As neighboring teams based in the Seoul Capital Area, a natural competitive relationship formed. Notably, after kt wiz suffered a heavy 2-14 record against Kiwoom in their first first-division season in 2015, they gradually strengthened their roster and developed into an equal rival.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
As of the end of the 2024 season, the Kiwoom Heroes hold a slight edge in the all-time regular season head-to-head record with 96 wins, 2 draws, and 88 losses. However, narrowing the scope to the last five years (2020-2024), kt wiz leads with 48 wins, 1 draw, and 41 losses, indicating a reversal in power dynamics in the 2020s. In particular, kt wiz showed superiority with a 9-7 record against Kiwoom during their 2021 Korean Series championship season and dominated with an 11-5 record in 2023.
Major Games
- 2021 Playoffs: kt wiz defeated Kiwoom 3-1 to advance to the Korean Series, subsequently winning the integrated championship. In this series, kt's ace Ko Young-pyo recorded two wins and was named MVP.
- 2022 Semi-Playoffs: Kiwoom successfully avenged their loss by defeating kt 3-2, with Ahn Woo-jin recording 15 strikeouts over two games.
- 2024 Regular Season Final Matchup: In the September 26 game in Suwon, kt won 5-4, securing fifth place and clinching a postseason berth.
Player Movements and Connections
Trades and free agent transfers between the two teams have been active. Notably, in 2019, kt signed outfielder Bae Jeong-dae, who was released by Kiwoom, and developed him into a starter. In 2022, Kiwoom attempted to sign infielder Kim Ha-seong, who became a free agent from kt, but failed. Additionally, during the 2023 season, kt pitcher Joo Kwon was traded to Kiwoom, drawing fans' attention.
Fan Culture and Rivalry
Due to the geographical proximity of Suwon and Seoul (approximately 35 km), away cheering is active, and weekend three-game series in particular draw large crowds from both fanbases, adding to the excitement. Kiwoom fans, centered around the 'Heroes Cheerleading Squad,' use unique cheer songs, while kt fans counter with the large screen and cheerleading at 'Wiz Park.' Since 2023, an increasing number of fans have begun calling the matchups between the two teams the 'Capital Area Derby.'
Recent Trends
As of 2024-2025, Kiwoom is undergoing a rebuild centered on young players, while kt is struggling to maintain its strength due to the aging of veteran players. In the 2024 season, Kiwoom finished in eighth place, but the growth of rookie pitchers stood out during the 2025 spring camp. Meanwhile, kt advanced to the postseason in 2024 as the fifth-place team but lost to Doosan in the first round. In the first matchup of the 2025 season (April 12, Gocheok), Kiwoom won 7-3, aiming for a turnaround in momentum. Additionally, with the KBO strengthening regulations such as the introduction of a pitch clock starting in 2025, both teams are expected to showcase faster-paced games.
Related Topics
- [[KBO League]]
- [[Kiwoom Heroes]]
- [[kt wiz]]
- [[Capital Area Derby]]
- [[2021 Korean Series]]
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