"Worn for Good Luck": Why Is Lee Jung-hoo's 15 Million Won Necklace Gaining Attention?

Van Cleef & Arpels Luxury Necklace
Four-Leaf Clover Motif Design
Popular Among MLB Players Like Miguel Rojas

The South Korean national baseball team has made a dramatic advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), and Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants was spotted wearing a luxury Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, drawing attention.

On March 9, the Korean team secured a 7-2 victory over Australia in the final match of Group C in the WBC group stage at Tokyo Dome in Japan, successfully advancing to the quarterfinals.

On the 9th at Tokyo Dome in Japan, during the final match of Group C in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) between South Korea and Australia, South Korea's Lee Jung-hoo is roaring after securing a spot in the quarterfinals by defeating Australia. Photo by Yonhap News

Although South Korea faced the risk of elimination after consecutive losses to Japan and Taiwan, the team managed to meet the difficult conditions of "winning by five runs or more with no more than two runs allowed," earning a spot in the quarterfinal round for the first time in 17 years.

During the game, Lee Jung-hoo contributed with a timely double in the top of the third inning, giving the team a 3-0 lead. Notably, in the bottom of the ninth with one out and a runner on first, he completed the "Miracle at Tokyo Dome" by making a sliding catch on a hit by Rixon Wingrove to right-center field that could have been a game-changer.

Lee Jung-hoo: "Wearing It Hoping for Good Luck"

Along with the news of South Korea reaching the WBC quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years, the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace worn by Lee Jung-hoo has also become a talking point. The necklace he wore is believed to be Van Cleef & Arpels' "Vintage Alhambra Necklace 10 Motifs." It features ten four-leaf clover-shaped motifs, a symbol of the brand, and comes in a black onyx color. The official retail price in Korea is approximately 15.5 million won.

Lee Jung-hoo stated on his social media, "I wear it for every game as a symbol of a lucky four-leaf clover," and added, "I personally purchased it with my own money."

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Necklace 10 Motif Necklace. Van Cleef & Arpels Official Website

MLB Players Also Favor the 'Four-Leaf Clover' Necklace

The Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is known to be popular not only with Lee Jung-hoo but also among Major League Baseball (MLB) players in the United States. Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays have also been spotted wearing Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces during games. As the four-leaf clover design symbolizes good luck, it appears to be especially favored by MLB players.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.