The professional volleyball 2022-2023 V-League Women’s Division ended with Korea Expressway Corporation’s championship victory. Now, the interest of fans is the future of ‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung (35). Kim Yeon-kyung, who made her professional debut at Heungkuk Life Insurance in the 2005-2006 season, played four seasons before advancing to Japan and later playing in Turkish and Chinese leagues. Kim Yeon-kyung, who returned to Korea in the 2020-2021 season, returned to the V-League through China again last season and spent the 6th season with Heungkuk Life Insurance this season. Kim Yeon-kyung became the first free agent in Korea while his elementary, middle and high school classmate Kim Su-ji of IBK Industrial Bank earned the status of the fourth free agent (FA).
In February, during the season, Kim Yeon-kyung once leaned toward retirement, saying, “It would be a lie if I said I had no intention of retiring.” At a press conference after Game 5 of the championship match on the 6th, she said, “I thought about (retirement) to some extent.”
An official in the volleyball world said, “It seems that Kim Yeon-kyung was mentally exhausted as there was no goal to motivate him as a player.” The immediate motivation is his first free agent contract. Kim Yeon-kyung is receiving 700 million won (450 million won in annual salary, 250 million won in options), which is the upper limit for women’s compensation this season. She recently said that she could receive up to 775 million won next season as the women’s salary cap was increased. However, when it comes to free agency, it is evaluated that it is far from the jackpot contract that often comes to mind. Although Kim Yeon-kyung missed the championship this season, she had already reached the top three times in four seasons before going abroad. She also announced her intention to challenge the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes Commission. She has shown her interest in leaders, administrators, and broadcasters as usual. 먹튀검증
Kim Yeon-kyung said at a press conference after the 5th game of the championship match on the 6th, “I can’t help but think that many fans want me to play.” As much as many people want (to play as players), it is difficult to decide alone,” she hinted at the possibility of extending her career as an athlete. Regarding free agency, “We are talking with Heungkuk Life Insurance, a club belonging to Won. (For other clubs) the possibility is open.”
Fans were more enthusiastic than ever as 100% spectator admission was possible for the first time this season after the novel coronavirus infection. It is possible that this part also changed Kim Yeon-kyung’s state of mind. Of the 19 sold-out regular season matches in the women’s division, 17 came from Heungkuk Life Insurance matches. Except for the first match in the championship match, the remaining four matches were sold out. As much as the homeroom, cloud spectators flocked to it without visiting.
In this FA market, where big fish are pouring out, it seems that the board will be made according to Kim Yeon-kyung’s decision. In addition to Kim Yeon-kyung, most of the main members of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, such as Park Jung-ah of Korea Expressway Corporation, Kim Hee-jin of IBK Industrial Bank Kim Su-ji, KGC Ginseng Corporation Yeom Hye-seon, and Pepper Savings Bank Oh Ji-young, get FA qualifications. Four of them, excluding Kim Soo-ji, are the third FA qualification. A total of 20 players, including Park Jung-ah, Bae Yoo-na, Jeong Dae-young, Moon Jeong-won, and Jeon Sae-yan, are expected to appear in the free agency market alone. The women’s FA list will be announced on the 9th.