Kim So-young & Chae Yu-jeong: Emotional Taegeuk Farewell

Kim So-young (33) and Chae Yu-jeong (30), who made a name for themselves as Korean badminton doubles powerhouses, bid farewell to the Taegeuk mark they had loved for 15 years.

The two players were first selected for the national team in 2011 and played on the international stage before leaving the national team on the same day. A retirement ceremony was held prior to the final match of the Korea Masters Badminton Championships held at Wonkwang University Culture and Gymnasium in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do on the 9th.

The national team’s coaching staff and players, including Kim Dong-moon, president of the Korea Badminton Association, a living legend of Korean shuttlecock, and national team coach Park Joo-bong, were in attendance. Ahn Se-young (Samsung Life Insurance), the world’s No. 1 women’s singles player who ate with Kim So-young and Chae Yu-jeong, also attended with a bouquet of flowers and had time to say goodbye to her sisters.

It is said that this event was made possible after Chairman Kim Dong-moon accepted Director Park Joo-bong’s idea. Coach Park Joo-bong said, “I wanted to congratulate the two players who have dedicated themselves to the national team for a long time. I am very sad to hear that So-young and Yoo-jeong are retiring. I want to tell them that they have worked hard. The two players have led the national team for nearly 15 years, and I will support them with their new challenges in the future.” Chairman Kim Dong-moon said, “I hope the two players will have a great second life after retiring from the national team. They will be remembered for a long time.”

Ahn Se-young, who came back from Seoul after finishing the autograph session the previous day, said, “I also felt very sad that the sisters I had seen since I was young retired. However, I feel fortunate that I was able to attend the retirement ceremony in person to congratulate them and support them in their new beginnings. I will continue to sincerely support them in their future happiness.”

Kim So-young had her best moment by winning a bronze medal in women’s doubles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Gong Hee-yong (29, Jeonbuk Bank), who is called her ‘soul partner’. She achieved remarkable results, including winning the 2019 Korea Open, winning the team event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, and winning the 2022 Bangkok Uber Cup (World Women’s Mixed Team Event). They are also famous as the ‘shuttlecock couple’, as they married Jang Seong-ho, a former badminton player.

Chae Yu-jeong announced her retirement from the national team after competing with Lee Jong-min in the World Tour Super 750 French Open mixed doubles last month. Seo Yu-jeong, a left-hander from Seongil Girls’ High School, has been attracting attention as a promising player since her junior days. In 2017, he collaborated with Choi Sol-gyu to win the Sudirman Cup mixed doubles championship, and since 2018, he collaborated with Seo Seung-jae to achieve achievements such as a gold medal in the team event and a bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the 2023 World Championships and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. In particular, the fact that Chae Yu-jeong and Seo Seung-jae reached the top at the 2023 World Championships was the first feat in Korean badminton mixed doubles in 20 years. In the finals, they defeated China’s Zheng Shiwei and Huang Yachong, who were world No. 1 at the time, 2-0.

Chae Yoo-jeong was left disappointed when Seo Seung-jae suddenly chose to retire from the national team as he was unable to find a suitable partner on the national team while focusing only on men’s doubles. Chae Yu-jeong is the daughter of Kim Bok-seon, who played for the Korean national badminton team in 1980, and comes from a Shuttlecock family.

At the retirement ceremony that day, Kim So-young and Chae Yu-jeong shed tears as they expressed their feelings. The juniors of the national team and the competition referees watching this scene also had tears in their eyes.

Kim So-young said, “It seems like it was just yesterday that I first joined the national team, but the word retirement was before me. There were many difficult times, but I went on the court with a sense of duty as a representative player and was able to cry, laugh, and learn a lot. I am grateful to my coaches and loving family. I wouldn’t have been able to survive without them.” Kim So-young also added, “I’m leaving the national team, but I think I’ll continue my career as a player. I want to share my experience with my juniors toward new goals. Please remember Kim So-young, the player.”

Chae Yoo-jeong also cried, saying, “I feel a little burdened because Kim So-young talks so well in front of me. I’m glad that I was able to finish well without any injuries. I want to pat myself on the back and say, ‘I did a good job.'” and “I want to thank my mom for helping me do a good job without going astray. I also want to say congratulations to So-young, who came in the same year and retired the same year.”

Seo Seung-jae, who is ranked No. 1 in the men’s doubles world rankings along with Kim Won-ho, expressed his gratitude through a video message, saying, “I sincerely congratulate my eternal partner Yoo Jeong-i on her retirement ceremony. I really respect the time she devoted and worked hard to make Korean badminton shine more than anyone else over the past 15 years. I was able to learn and grow a lot while working with her for 7 years.”

Chae Yoo-jeong’s mother, Kim Bok-seon, sent encouragement, saying, “Thank you for ending your difficult, difficult, and lonely career as an athlete safely. I am so proud of you. Let’s cheer up for my daughter as she begins another journey.”

Although Kim So-young and Chae Yu-jeong have let go of the heavy responsibility of representing the national team, their journey as badminton players is not over yet. These two players, who still have world-class skills, will be able to play on the court for a long time if there are no injuries.

The two people, who first wore the Taegeuk symbol with excitement as teenagers, now head towards the new court amid tears and applause. The second chapter of their lives, which began with the support of family, colleagues, seniors and juniors, will definitely not be lonely.

Kim Jong-seok, Deputy Director of Channel A (Former Deputy Director of Dong-A Ilbo)

[기사제보 tennis@tennis.co.kr]