KB Lim Sung-jin, who is about to join the "worst season since he came professionally," endured knee pain and blamed himself for spring volleyball performance in the "first year of contract." [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lim Sung-jin (27, KB Insurance Stars), a national team outside heater who is about to join the Armed Forces Sports Unit (Sangmu), promised to change his appearance two years later.

Lim Sung-jin recently attended a KB Insurance Stars fan meeting held at KB Insurance's Insanium in Suwon and said in an interview with Star News, "It was the worst and most regrettable season as a professional."

The 2025-2026 season, which ended on the 10th, was a season of great significance for both the KB Insurance volleyball team and Lim Sung-jin. After graduating from Uirim Elementary School, Jecheon Middle School, Jecheon Industrial High School, and Sungkyunkwan University, Lim Sung-jin started his professional career by joining KEPCO as the second priority in the first round of the 2020-2021 V League. He grew into a national outside heater and signed an FA contract with KB Insurance ahead of this season and moved his nest for the first time.

As the team's main gun in the first year of the contract, he played in 127 sets in 36 games (18th in the league), scored 316 points (18th in the league), scored a 44% attack success rate, averaged 0.181 serves (15th) and received efficiency 30.22 (14th), contributing to KB Insurance's advance to spring volleyball for the second consecutive year.

It wasn't a satisfactory season on its own. Lim Sung-jin said, "I was disappointed in both individual skills and team results. In particular, I should have shown the fans how I got better with my annual leave, but it was lower than last season," he blamed himself.

Lim Sung-jin also had injuries and physical fitness issues, as did other players who were called up for the national team just before this season. Lim Sung-jin said, "I've been to the national team." Most of the players felt that they were not prepared enough at the beginning of the season. So I think everyone started the season a little bit off," he said.

"The unprepared part stood out at the start of the season. But somehow I had to adapt and change during the season. I think I went to the end of the season in a bad condition. He did not give an excuse, saying, "I try to prepare well in the military so that I will never have this experience again."

What bothered him so much. He cited the fact that he had a lot of thoughts because of the burden of doing well in his first year as an FA due to poor knee conditions. Lim Sung-jin said, "It was my first time moving a team, so it definitely felt different and there was pressure. Due to his poor physical condition, he often hesitated to play. "I have a lot of thoughts, such as worrying about mistakes," he explained.

Setter Hwang Taek-ui (30), who has been working together steadily for the national team, was helpful. Hwang Taek-ui quickly took the play after consulting with Lim Sung-jin. Lim Sung-jin said, "(Hwang) Taek's brother asked me to quickly take the play. As I played fast, I didn't have time to think about other things, so I think it worked out well."

The game that went well was a home game against Korean Air in the third round. At that time, Lim Sung-jin scored 19 points with a 66.67% attack success rate, leading to a 3-1 victory in set points.

Lim Sung-jin said, "I think I liked Korean Air the best in the third round. "At that time, I was able to play without fear or worry about my mistakes while playing," he said. "However, my condition continued to fluctuate due to my poor physical condition. I felt sorry that I couldn't continue to take the feeling of that time," he said honestly.

Even now, when the season is over and he is about to join the army, he is still training every day. If you rest even a little, your muscles will lose, and your knees will hurt. Lim Sung-jin hoped that joining the Sangmu would be an opportunity to lead the turnaround. He will join the military on April 27 and aims to return to the 2027-2028 season.

The Sangmu sports facility is well known as a learning place where athletes in all sports can share know-how with each other. Kim Do-hoon (28), an elementary, middle and high school senior, also grew up in Sangmu and became a main player.

Lim Sung-jin said, "As the day of enlistment approaches, I think I feel more and more realistic. "I'm preparing because I think it's an army that all Korean men have to go to," he said. "(Kim) Do-hoon and all the players who have been to Sangmu have told me good stories. The goal is not to neglect your body care just because you have a lot of personal time, and to grow up and come out calmly," he stressed.

Finally, KB Insurance fans promised a healthy return. Lim Sung-jin said, "It was my first season at KB Insurance, and I felt great and grateful because I felt like I was breathing with the fans. I want to do my best in the military's duty and come back in better condition without any problems to greet you," he said with strength.

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*This content was translated by AI.