Shin Seul Interview: 3-Time All-Star on Korean Basketball

In the Women’s Professional Basketball (WKBL) Incheon Shinhan Bank guard Shin Seul (25, 1m70cm) is taking a leap forward from being a sixth man to becoming a solid starting player this season. “I enjoy solving given tasks,” he said, and pledged to achieve spring basketball for the team.

Shin Seul, in his 8th year as a professional, is averaging 12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals (tied for first place) in 10 regular league games in the 2025-26 season. Most records are career highs.

Although he is good at attacking, he has been criticized for being relatively weak at defense. This was the reason why he fell behind in the competition after joining Shinhan Bank as a free agent (FA) last season. However, this season, he is being trusted by new coach Choi Yoon-ah. As of the 21st, he is the team’s top scorer. He received the first round Merit Development Award (MIP) and was selected as an All-Star for three consecutive years.

In a recent phone interview with this magazine, Shin Seul said, “My playing time has increased, and my duties in offense and defense are more diverse. That’s why I think I stand out a lot.”
He said, “I didn’t know that I was the team’s top scorer. As the team had a number of injuries, the remaining players took on more roles and this was a natural record,” and added, “There are still many shortcomings. The team’s performance is also unsatisfactory.”

Shinhan Bank is in the lowest place in the league (2 wins, 8 losses). As of the end of the 2022-23 season, they have been unable to reach the semifinals of the playoffs.

Shin Seul is the hope of Shinhan Bank, which is at the bottom. It is especially noticeable that the defense is being upgraded and strengthened.

Shin Seul said, “I don’t think I have a weakness in defense. Even when I transferred to Shinhan Bank, the coaches believed in my defense. Coach Choi Yun-ah also wants an aggressive defense. I was lacking as a rookie, but I got a lot of criticism and I think I’ve gotten better than before. My goal for the season is to be number one in steals.”

Shinhan Bank lost 60-61 in a home game against Cheongju KB on the 26th of last month. With 0.7 seconds left, Kang Yi-seul was allowed to score a buzzer-beater. However, a day later, WKBL admitted that the decision was a mistake. Before Kang Yi-seul scored, it was Shinhan Bank who led the comeback.

Recalling that time, he said, “It is true that it was mentally difficult,” but emphasized, “Both the coach and the players know that the remaining games are important in the end. I will calm down and face the remaining games more calmly. I can bounce back well. The goal is definitely PO.”

Meanwhile, in the 2023-24 season, he dyed his hair blonde and walked around the court, attracting the attention of fans. It was because he wanted to receive the energy of his idol, Lee Mi-seon, coach of Samsung Life Insurance. Although she gave up dyeing her hair due to difficulties in managing it, she recently revealed that she is considering changing her image again. Shin Seul said, “I’m thinking about dyeing my hair to change the mood. The color won’t be as bright as before.”

Reporter Kim Woo-jung [email protected]