A group of 29 women, all born in the Year of the Fire Horse, gathered in Gwangmyeong on November 4, not to play a championship match, but to celebrate two decades of friendship forged on the tennis court. Their group, ‘Moyehoe,’ marked its 20th anniversary with a President’s Cup event, a celebration of longevity that unfolded as a vibrant testament to the power of shared passion.
As a celebratory burst of confetti filled the air, a banner unfurled, bearing a simple yet profound promise: “20 years with tennis, 20 years more as witches.” The image of the friends, all born in 1966, captured the essence of their journey—a bond that began with a racquet and has endured through life’s changing seasons, The Tennis reported.
A Shared Birth Year, a Shared Passion
The story of Moyehoe begins in 2006, when a few women of the same age, living in the Gwangmyeong Haan 6 district, started taking lessons from the husband of Kim Ok-hee. What began as a casual exercise routine quickly blossomed. The common denominator of tennis, combined with the shared experience of being born in the same year, created a foundation for an enduring friendship.
The following year, in 2007, Moyehoe was officially formed. Kim Ok-hee took on the roles of president and general manager, establishing the group’s structure and solidifying its identity. What started as a casual meeting on the court gradually evolved into a deep integration of each other’s lives, extending far beyond the baseline.
From Competitive Courts to Companionship
A decade ago, at their 10th-anniversary celebration, most members of Moyehoe were still active competitors, regularly participating in national tournaments. In 2017, they were well-known figures in the world of female amateur tennis, faces so familiar within the community that their names alone would elicit a knowing response: “Oh, I know them.”
On the court, they were rivals, each striving to prove her skill. Yet, within the group, they were simply friends, connected by their shared birth year and love for the game. A decade has since passed, and their individual paths have diverged. While some members still compete, others have stepped back due to health reasons or have found new hobbies, causing tennis to recede from the center of their lives to a corner. Despite these personal changes, the rhythm of their monthly gatherings has remained a constant, showing the strength of their bond.
A Year of Milestones and Memories
The year 2026 was particularly significant for Moyehoe, marking not only their 20th anniversary but also the members’ 60th birthdays. This dual celebration was punctuated by a series of memorable trips. In January, the group embarked on a 3-night, 4-day trip to Kagoshima, Japan. In April, they traveled to Buan for a 1-night, 2-day excursion, visiting the serene Neosa Temple and the scenic Cheaseokgang Cliff.
The year’s grand finale was the November 4 President’s Cup and 20th-anniversary celebration. The event showed the group's remarkable cohesion; not a single member of the 29 was absent. As Song In-ja, the current president, reflected, the greatest happiness over the past 20 years has been the well-being of every member. “Not a single heartbreaking incident has happened with any of our members,” she stated. “That in itself makes us a very happy group.”
An Event for Everyone
The festivities began at 10:30 a.m. with a congratulatory party, followed by a blue-and-white team tennis match. After lunch, the atmosphere shifted to one of playful celebration. Members participated in traditional Korean games like ojaemi bak ttorigi (a beanbag toss), jegichagi (a shuttlecock kicking game), and a challenge to catch tennis balls in a basket. These activities were intentionally designed to be inclusive, ensuring that even members who no longer actively play could fully participate.
“We prepared various event games so that members who cannot play tennis can also join in,” explained Lee Yung-ja, the group’s general manager. The court, once a place of fierce competition, was transformed into a space reminiscent of an elementary school field day, filled with laughter whether a move succeeded or failed. Together, the women, now in their 60s, ran, laughed, and created new memories. And in the moment they all joined forces to pop a confetti-filled bag, their collective promise for the future was revealed: “20 years with tennis, 20 years more as witches.”
The Promise of Another Twenty Years
Looking ahead, the members acknowledge that the number of days they might hold a racquet could decrease. Yet, the commitment to their friendship remains unwavering. The plan is simple and enduring: once a month, they will continue to meet on the court, check in on each other’s lives, travel together, and share laughter.
The women who were brought together by tennis two decades ago have now pledged another twenty years of companionship. Their story, as told in the pages of The Tennis, is a powerful reminder that some connections are stronger than time itself, proving that the most valuable games are not always the ones scored, but the ones lived together.
Related reading
