Free agent Kim Yeon-kyung extends active duty… “Heungkuk Life Insurance is negotiating with other teams”
“I decided to extend my active duty.”
Kim Yeon-kyung (35, Heungkuk Life Insurance) expressed her feelings about being selected as the individual 5th regular league MVP and expressed her willingness to extend her active service. Kim Yeon-kyung was selected as the MVP of the women’s regular league at the ‘Dodram 2022-2023 V-League Awards Ceremony’ held at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Hannam-dong on the 10th. Kim Yeon-kyung was the single MVP candidate for the women’s division, and of course, the result was unanimous with 31 votes. The first unanimous MVP in the women’s division was Lee Jae-young of Heungkuk Life Insurance in the 2018-2019 season, and Kim Yeon-kyung is the second ever.
Kim Yeon-kyung wrote her history as the 5th regular league MVP in her personal career. This is the highest number of records for both men and women. The protagonist of the previous record was also Kim Yeon-kyung. She, Kim Yeon-kyung, previously won the regular league MVP four times in the 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2020-2021 seasons.
Kim Yeon-kyung, who predicted her retirement, saying that maybe this year could be her last, contributed greatly to Heungkuk Life Insurance’s first place in the regular league and runner-up in the championship match in her season. Heungkuk Life Insurance had internal conflicts, such as the sudden replacement of manager Kwon Soon-chan with manager Marcello Abondanza during the season, but Kim Yeon-kyung contributed to bringing the team together and leading it to the top.
Kim Yeon-kyung scored 669 points in 34 games this season and had an attack success rate of 45.76%, ranking first in her offensive overall. Thanks to her, she was even named the Women’s Best 7 Outside Heater.
Kim Yeon-kyung, who was like an icon for her Heungkuk Life Insurance, got her first FA qualification after this season. Along with her concerns about extending her active service, her free agent contract is also expected to be a variable for Kim Yeon-kyung’s off-season.
The following is a Q&A with Kim Yeon-kyung.
- How do you feel?
I personally heard it was the 5th. He said he was happy to be the 5th MVP, and said it was unanimous. I am so honored. Looking back on this season, there were many difficult moments. I think I received a good award because the team staff helped me a lot. thanks to my teammates
-What did you say you wanted to joke about at the awards ceremony? It also seemed that his will to extend his active duty was a little firm.
Because you’re interested. To joke around, there were several of these. Since it was an official position, there were a lot of seniors, so we met a lot of eyes and felt their eyes while giving our acceptance speeches, so I started to be careful with what I said. I wanted to say that the road construction was good. The active extension is thinking a little more to become a player. He is also negotiating with Heungkuk Life Insurance, and is in a state of discussion with other clubs.
- You mentioned a team with less difficulty adapting.
Tim can’t comment. He gave a lot of meaning to every single word I said. Since I missed the unified championship this season, my desire to win has grown a little. Entering this season, I never said out loud that I would like to win. Now, I want to achieve a combined championship, so I am trying to select a team that can do that.
- The good and the bad of this season.
The best memory is the match against IBK Industrial Bank, which confirmed 1st place in the regular league. I remember the players finishing well in the last difficult moments that were confirmed while winning 3 points there. The saddest moment was the championship match. We had an advantage, but it is regrettable that we could not finish it. The 3rd set of the 5th game of the championship decision is also the same, and there are many regrets.
-How do you feel about the 5th MVP record?
I didn’t know, but I found out during the interview. When I was playing in my early days, they gave me awards for records. I remember receiving many awards, such as the Serve Award and the Spike Award. Now, only the best 7 and MVP are compressed. Gives you a chance to win an award. Because a lot of players play for my position. So it seems more meaningful. Not many people would think of our team as the favorites for the championship. I didn’t expect it myself either. Since I received the MVP while winning, I think it is more meaningful than other MVP memories. 먹튀검증
- Even until February, you said you were thinking about retiring, and today you seem to be more inclined to extend your active duty. Describe the process of changing your mind.
I thought a lot about retirement. I didn’t say that I was going to (retire) this season, but I was embarrassed to say that it wasn’t that I didn’t have an idea, and that it was dealt with a lot. I have been thinking about the timing of retirement, not just this year. A lot of people have told me that it is not yet. If there is a major injury, there is more to consider retirement, but everyone feels that I am still fine and my physical condition and performance are good. I decided to extend my active duty.
-You said you would go to a team that could win a combined championship, but did you become desperate because you couldn’t win this time?
Expectations were not high for our team this season. It was a low-ranking team in 6th place, and as I came, I had high expectations about which team could go up, but I didn’t know if it would be possible.
-A lot of good players came out as free agents. Will the trend of strengthening the strength of all clubs also have an impact?
It is also important what kind of volleyball the team wants and what kind of volleyball they want. Recruitment is also important. There is a salary cap, so we have to recruit players within it, so there are a lot of restrictions. I don’t know how the clubs will operate, but of course they are considering it. If I can win even if I lower the conditions a little, I can. I’m fine, but there’s a bad look at getting a lower salary. I think it would be okay if I went to a team that could win even with a lower salary.
-How many clubs are you interested in?
Not as many as I thought (laughs). As of now, not all clubs have been contacted.
-Do you have any intention to go abroad?
Director Abondanza also asked me if I had any plans to try it again because it was still okay. Now that I’m older, I want to be in Korea. Because living abroad is so hard. He said he wanted to be in Korea. I’m satisfied now, and I don’t have much time left to spend with my fans. I like being together in Korea. I want to finish it in Korea.