Kim Yu-jung and Lee Yu-rim secured a spot in the women’s doubles final at the 2026 BWF World Tour Korea Open, defeating China’s Chen Fan Shutian and Luo Xumin 2-0 at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu, South Korea, as reported by domestic sports media.
The South Korean pair, ranked 31st globally and representing Samsung Life Insurance, recorded a 21-17, 21-11 victory in the Super 500 semifinal on October 7. The result marks their first appearance in a Super 500 title match since they began partnering at the start of the year.
Semifinal Victory Against Rising Chinese Competitors
Chen and Luo entered the match ranked 66th in the world but carried considerable momentum after winning the Arctic Open Super 500 title the previous month and upsetting second-seeded Japanese duo Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi in the quarterfinals. Luo previously reached a world ranking of No. 5 alongside former partner Li Yijing, securing a gold medal at the Asian Championships and a bronze at the World Championships in August.
Kim and Lee had previously overcome Li Yijing and Wang Yiduo in a three-game quarterfinal battle lasting one hour and 21 minutes. In the semifinal against Chen and Luo, the Korean duo overcame an early 6-2 deficit in the opening game by stringing together five consecutive points to lead 10-7 at the interval. After the break, they maintained control despite a late push from the Chinese pair, closing out the first game 21-17.
The second game followed a similar competitive pattern in the early stages before Kim and Lee pulled away from a 6-6 tie. Winning four straight points to establish a 10-6 advantage, they entered the interval ahead 11-7 and sealed the match by capturing six consecutive points from 15-11 to win the second game 21-11.
A Rapid Rise on the International Circuit
Forming their partnership in January, Kim and Lee reached the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters Super 500 and claimed their first title at the Vietnam Open Super 100 in September. They subsequently competed in the Denmark Open and France Open Super 750 events, reaching the Round of 16 in both tournaments.
Their advancement to the Korea Open final represents a career milestone at the Super 500 level, giving them an opportunity to compete for a home-soil championship title in front of local fans.
Championship Match Preview in Yeosu
Kim and Lee will face the winner of the semifinal between the United States pairing of Lauren Lam and Allison Lee, ranked 15th, and Japan’s Rui Hirokami and Sayaka Hobara, ranked 17th. The final is scheduled for October 8 at Jinnam Gymnasium.
Earlier coverage: Kim Yu-jung and Lee Yu-rim reach Korea Open semifinals after China win
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