June 5, 2024

Well, Lee Gwanhee being traded hasn’t hit yet. Perhaps it hasn’t hit him yet, either. His Instagram profile of him wearing an LG jersey hasn’t changed. Thank God he deleted the post of him wearing the green DB Promy jersey. It just looked so weird next to his profile picture.

I reactivated my LG Sakers fan account on Instagram a few months earlier than expected. I had to post my thank you/goodbye stories, posts, and reels. It was my way to process and…mourn. lol.

Fans in Indonesia were still posting and sharing their experiences with Gwanhee at the recent fan meet. At least there was still some joy being spewed.

Local fans from  Changwon messaged asking how I was doing and said they would miss seeing me in Changwon. Fans assumed I would follow Gwanhee to DB. I assured them I am still a Sakers fan; whether they believe me or not, I am not sure. I’m a team sports fan. Once I become a fan of a team, I stay faithful, even if my favorite athletes leave, get traded, or retire, and even if the team loses every year. As a life-long sports fan, I have always been like. Faithful.

My experience with the Changwon LG Sakers is also a little bit different than most international fans. I watched games in person, and I developed a connection with both the fans and the team. The LG Sakers not only include the players but the band of local fans as well. Sebaragi. The shared experience fostered a sense of belonging and Changwon LG Sakers pride for me.

Oh. Today ended with another blow. The news has become official. Fan favorite Justin Gutang will not be returning to LG. Arguably, the sweetest player in the team will no longer be wearing the maroon and gold. But his gracious and humble response to the team and fans will forever endear him to my heart when he ended it with:

Forever LG.

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