Japanese Media: "Retired Kim Yeon-koung Likely to Make a Living from CFs Like Kim Yuna"

'Volleyball Empress' Kim Yeon-koung.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A Japanese media outlet recently reported that Kim Yeon-koung (33), who retired from the national team last month, "will be able to make a living solely from CF appearance fees, just like Kim Yuna."

The Japanese media 'Daily Shincho' reported on the 15th that "there hasn't been a day since the Tokyo Olympics when Kim Yeon-koung hasn't appeared in the media," claiming that the reason Kim Yeon-koung is receiving media attention is thanks to her 'victory in the Korea-Japan match at the Tokyo Olympics.'

It added, "Perhaps aware of this, Kim Yeon-koung also cited the Korea-Japan match victory as her most refreshing game." Earlier, at an official press conference on the 7th, Kim Yeon-koung stated, "The Korea-Japan match was indeed the most thrilling. Coming back from 12-14 in the final set to win was indescribably great."

Also, Daily Shincho mentioned Kim Yuna, who won the gold medal by defeating Asada Mao in the women's singles figure skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, as well as when South Korea advanced to the semifinals for the first time in Asia during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, saying, "In Korea, athletes who defeat Japan or rank high become heroes."

On the other hand, it explained, "In Japan, people get angry when they lose to Korea and happy when they win, but it is rare for someone to become a hero just because they defeated Korea."

It further added, "When living in Korea, the names of Japanese athletes who lost to Korean athletes are often mentioned," and "Koreans probably need these athletes to feel a sense of superiority."

Meanwhile, Kim Yeon-koung debuted on the senior national team by participating in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Grand Champions Cup in 2005 while she was a third-year student at Suwon Hanil Jeonsan Girls' High School. Since then, up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she has participated in three Olympics, four Asian Games, three World Championships, and numerous international competitions, leading the revival of South Korean women's volleyball.

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