[Retirement Interview] "Is Woori Bank right for me?" Park Hye-mi, who played with a question mark, turned her "last fight" into certainty

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Hye-mi (31) of the Asan Woori Bank of the Women's Korean Basketball League is leaving the court she has grown to love. She was not a star who left behind flashy records, but she was a player who always gave her best in every moment given to her. Park Hye-mi also confessed that she is ending her playing career with good memories rather than difficult times.

In a phone call with StarNews on the 1st, Park Hye-mi said, "There were people who expressed regret over my retirement, and there were also older players who asked me to try one more time," but added, "I felt many things myself. After thinking deeply on my own, I decided to retire."

Woori Bank conveyed the news that "Park Hye-mi is putting a period to her playing career" through the club's SNS the previous day (May 31). Along with Park Hye-mi, Yoo Seung-hee and Pyeon Seon-woo, who played on the same team, also announced their retirement.

Park Hye-mi, who graduated from Sookmyung Girls' High School, entered the professional stage as the third overall pick in the 2014 rookie draft. She was not a player who received flashy spotlight, but she always quietly fulfilled the role given to her. When she stepped onto the court, she did not hold back her body, supporting the team with defense and hard work. She also showed resilience like a tumbler, overcoming major and minor injuries. Even in situations where playing time was not guaranteed, she did not waver and did her part.

Furthermore, Park Hye-mi proved her value by increasing her playing time, albeit late. She spent six seasons with her first professional team, Incheon Shinhan Bank, but played in more than 10 regular-season games in only two seasons. In the 2016-2017 season, she appeared in a personal high of 17 games, but her average playing time was only 6 minutes and 41 seconds.

She endured like that. But it would not have been easy if she had done it alone. Park Hye-mi said, "During my playing days, I did not set long-term goals. Whether it was a training day or a game day, I set goals for each day," and added, "If I had been told to endure alone, I would not have been able to. There were many really good people around me. I received a lot of strength from them, so I was able to endure even when it was hard."

Park Hye-mi, who later moved to Yongin Samsung Life, gradually established herself as a sixth man. In the 2020-2021 season, she contributed to Samsung Life's championship victory, gaining valuable experience.

However, the most special time for Park Hye-mi was the last two seasons spent with Woori Bank. Park Hye-mi wore the Woori Bank uniform as a free agent (FA) in 2024. At Woori Bank, she took on a larger role than before. Song Seong-woo, then Woori Bank head coach (now general manager), who highly evaluated Park Hye-mi's versatility as a player capable of both inside and outside play, actively utilized her.

Park Hye-mi appeared in 22 regular-season games in the 2024-2025 season, averaging 14 minutes and 21 seconds. She also contributed to Woori Bank's regular-season championship and advancement to the championship finals. At the time, Woori Bank was expected to have a difficult season due to the departure of key players, but they defied expectations and rose to the top of the regular season. Park Hye-mi also left her mark by faithfully fulfilling the role given to her on the playoff stage.

Park Hye-mi reflected, "Coach Song Seong-woo gave me many opportunities. I think good results came because I worked hard doing what the coach asked." She continued, "Not only I, but the entire team trained very hard. As we prepared that much, the results followed, so it had to be good." She added, "In the first season after moving to Woori Bank, we achieved results that no one expected. That's why it was a more fun season, and it was a unique experience I had never tried before."

She then said, "The games that took us through the 2024-2025 season playoffs to the championship finals are the most memorable. I think the connection with Woori Bank will also be remembered for a long time."

In fact, when Park Hye-mi first joined Woori Bank, there were more question marks than certainty. Park Hye-mi said, "When I transferred, I thought, 'Is Woori Bank right for me?' But Coach Song Seong-woo called me, and I followed him with the mindset that 'this is really the last time,' trusting the coach."

She continued, "I think that choice turned out to be the right one. I want to say thank you to Coach Song Seong-woo," and smiled, "I was scolded every day, but I like the coach."

After deciding to retire, emotions different from expectations came. Park Hye-mi said, "Because there were many difficult times, I thought I would only think of hardships when quitting. But surprisingly, I only remember good things. I think I gained many good people around me, so those memories came to mind a lot," and added, "I gained a lot while enduring."

Park Hye-mi also looked back at herself coldly. She said, "I think I was an 'ambiguous player' who was not a starter. But luckily, I got to win the regular season championship and the championship finals. I never imagined playing so much time in the playoffs or championship finals," and smiled.

She did not forget her gratitude to the fans. Park Hye-mi said, "I am not a player who will be remembered for records, nor am I a flashy player. Still, the fans who cheered for me and liked me knew that I would give my best when I entered the game," and added, "Every word from the fans became a great strength. Even in difficult times, I thought, 'I need to do better.' I am so grateful just for the fact that they cheered for me."

She then said, "I think it is not up to me to decide how I will be remembered, but rather the fans who watched me will decide," and added, "I tried to do everything I could at every moment and gave my best. I hope the fans remember me that way."

Now Park Hye-mi is preparing for a new path. She has not yet made specific plans. Park Hye-mi said, "For now, I plan to take some rest," and added, "I think I will find something I can do if I look around slowly."

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*This content was translated by AI.