*This content was translated by AI.
KB Insurance's youngest player, 19-year-old Lee Hak-jin, dreams of a future as a starting libero.
Lee Hak-jin graduated from Hadong Elementary, Hadong Middle, and Suncheon Jeil High School before being selected as the first pick of the second round in the 2025-2026 V-League Rookie Draft by KB Insurance. According to the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO), he stands 171cm tall and weighs 70kg. While not particularly tall for a volleyball player, this very trait has become an advantage for him as a libero.
Meeting Lee Hak-jin at Suwon KB Talentium on the 1st, he recalled, "I started playing volleyball in the fourth grade of elementary school. During physical education class, the coach recommended volleyball to me. My mother initially opposed it, saying, 'How can you play when you're so small?' I told her that there is a position called libero where you can play even if you're short, so I focused only on defense from elementary school. Thanks to that, I developed a solid foundation, which I believe has led me to where I am today."
The solid foundation built by sticking solely to the libero path shone even on the professional stage. In the V-League, many high school graduates struggle to play in their first professional season due to insufficient defense and fundamentals. However, Lee Hak-jin gradually made his presence known from the third round, delivering a solid performance in his debut season with 13 matches, 42 sets, a reception efficiency of 33.33%, and an average of 1.238 digs per set.
Lee Hak-jin stated, "As a rookie, I made sure not to feel intimidated once I stepped onto the court. Also, since my seniors match my fighting spirit, I tried to play even crazier." He added, "My family praised me immensely, and acquaintances said they watched many videos. I felt I lacked in reception and two-set tosses. I am working to improve those areas, and the team is mainly training in blocking, two-set tosses, and defensive systems."
The match that drew the most attention to the 19th-year-old rookie was the Round 5 game against KEPCO in the 2025-2026 season. Amidst a fierce spring volleyball competition, Lee Hak-jin coordinated with Kim Do-hoon (28, OK Savings Bank) to lead KB Insurance to a 3-1 victory. During this match, Lee specialized in digs, achieving a reception efficiency of 28.57% and an average of 2.25 digs, earning him the debut Pangpang Player (Match MVP) award.
Recalling that moment, Lee Hak-jin smiled, "That game is the one I remember most. It was even more meaningful because I came out even on my day off to train with my seniors. I was extremely nervous before the match started, but once it began, the nerves disappeared. I got nervous again during the broadcast interview, but I think I gradually calmed down."
He continued, "Last season had more regrets than anything. That's why I feel this was a season where I could grow even more. I want to gain more experience in the Futures League and cup tournaments during this off-season, so that during the season, I can appear more mature and confident."
Thanks to Lee Hak-jin's rapid growth, KB Insurance was able to support the FA transfer of starting libero Kim Do-hoon (28, Busan OK Savings Bank). Lee Hak-jin expressed his resolve, saying, "When I first heard that (Kim) Do-hoon was leaving, I thought, 'Is he really going?' and felt burdened. But that also made me think I need to work harder on my role to firmly secure the starting position."
He further added, "Do-hoon also told me, 'Work hard, you can do it.' A new senior, (Jang) Ji-won, has joined, and since our defensive styles are similar, I want to learn a lot from him about positioning. Also, these days, I am learning a lot by watching Japanese player Ogawa Tomohiro (30, Suntory Sunbirds). He is excellent at reception, looks very light on his feet, and is agile during defense. I want to be like him."
Although he is already entering his second professional season, he is still a fresh 20-year-old who graduated from high school just four months ago. He still entrusts money management to his parents. During high school, he and his parents donated 3 million won in scholarships to their alma mater in their hometown of Hadong County.
Lee Hak-jin smiled, saying, "I have been donating a little bit to organizations like Green Umbrel since elementary school. My parents still manage my salary, and I continue to donate." He then shared his feelings, "Honestly, I wanted to go to university, but I wanted to grow faster after joining the professional league. I do have a little regret about not experiencing campus life."
However, thanks to his reliable seniors, he was able to let go of any lingering regrets about not having a college life. Lee Hak-jin said, "My seniors encourage me, saying, 'You're young, so play volleyball in a way that's fun and do what you want. You have tomorrow, and you can do well, so work hard.' They have all been so supportive. Now that I am a professional, my goal is to become not only a starting libero but also a member of the national team."
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
