In the 2022-23 season, Kim Yeon-kyung, who returned to the Korean stage after playing in overseas leagues, led the team to win the V-League regular league. However, he failed to win the championship after losing to the Korea Expressway Corporation in the championship game.
Kim Yeon-kyung, who has already won many leagues, was still desperate to win. After becoming a free agent (FA) right after last season, he hinted at a transfer, saying, “I will go to a team that can win.”
However, Kim chose to stay in Heungkuk Life Insurance. This is because the club promised full support to strengthen its power. As part of this, Heungkuk Life recruited middle blocker (center) Kim Soo-ji (36) as an FA. Heungkuk Life, which finished second in last year’s championship game after losing the middle blocker fight, strengthened its strength by recruiting veteran middle blocker Kim Soo-ji, a former national team member. He intends to win with a “veteran duo” composed of Kim Yeon-kyung and Kim Soo-ji.
The two players are alumni who played together at Wongok Middle School and Hanil Computer Girls’ High School (Hanbom High School). As they are close friends and know each other so well, they can expect synergy effects not only in strengthening their power but also in psychological aspects. Kim Yeon-kyung said, “We missed the integrated championship last year, so we needed to strengthen our strength. “As (Kim) Suzy comes, it will help the team,” he said, welcoming Kim Soo-ji’s joining. Kim Soo-ji also expected to work together, saying, “It’s good to have a friend who can rely on the team comfortably.
I feel even more affectionate because I met my best friend at the end of my career. The two players are already in their mid to late 30s. The Taegeuk mark has already been returned, and his professional career has entered its twilight years. Last year, Kim Yeon-kyung was embroiled in rumors of retirement as she shared her retirement concerns. It’s a problem that you can’t easily tell anyone about, but now you have a close friend who you can talk to comfortably. Kim Yeon-kyung said, “It won’t be strange to retire at any time. We have our own concerns. I talk a lot about that (retirement) these days,” he said, adding that he is working with Kim Soo-ji to solve his concerns.
However, for the first time, I want to focus on the new season of playing with my friend. Kim Soo-ji said, “Many people are looking forward to it. I will do well to meet your expectations. There will be twists, but we will do what we can.” Kim Yeon-kyung also said, “I want to wear a star (one more) heavily. I will play hard to win the integrated championship,” he said, strengthening his determination for the new season.