"I was only determined to change the boos into cheers," Kim told reporters at Incheon International Airport. "It took me some time to adjust to the new league. I was facing pitchers for the first time, and I experienced difficulties."

Kim said he relied on fellow Korean players in the majors to get through his up-and-down first season, particularly Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers and Lee Dae-ho of the Seattle Mariners.