“It was embarrassing, confusing, and hard.”
Setter Lee Won-jung is eligible for free agency for the first time after the 2023-24 season ends. He signed with his original team, Heungkuk Life, for an annual salary of 110 million won ($115,000) and an option for 20 million won ($20,000).
Shortly afterward, Lee switched teams. Heungkuk Life agreed to trade Lee and its first-round draft pick in the 2025-26 draft to Pepper Savings Bank in exchange for setter Igo Eun and a second-round draft pick in the 2025-26 draft.
Lee was part of Korea Expressway Corporation’s first-ever title in 2017-18, GS Caltex’s treble in 2020-21, and 안전 토토사이트 Heungkuk Life’s championship runs in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
A promising setter, but unable to establish himself. This is Lee’s fourth professional move. After graduating from Seonmyeong Girls’ High School, Lee was the second overall pick in the 2017 rookie draft and played for GS Caltex and Heungkuk Sinsim. All via trade.
In a recent interview with MK Sports at the Gwangju Pepper Stadium, Lee said, “I’m embarrassed and a little confused about this move. It’s true that I was struggling a lot, but coach Jang Ji-yeon called me a lot, and I felt like I had to go and do well because he had faith in me. It took me a while to calm down, but I’m going to start over with a fresh mind,” he said.
“I didn’t go where I wanted to go as a free agent, but I honestly felt upset because the team changed due to a trade. This time, I changed teams just when I thought I was done adjusting to Heungkuk Life, but I have to adjust again. I will try to play the best I can. When I get on the court, I will try to show all the plays that I can show,” he said.
The team transition is smooth. There are players and coaches from the previous team.
“The team atmosphere is brighter than I thought, and I know a lot of people, so everyone takes care of me,” Lee said. It’s not as difficult to adapt as I thought. Now I’m going to start again with a fresh mind,” he laughed.
Lee Won-jung, who wants to be a big help to the team with her stable toss, said, “I heard that Asian quarters and middle blockers have good outside hitting attacks. The setter must be able to adjust well,” she said, adding, “I want to showcase various plays and the set plays that coach Choi Sang-yeon wants.”
Lee Won-jung will wear the No. 23 jersey she wore for Heungkuk Life and will play as a field commander for Pepper Savings Bank.