‘SOOP’s eldest sister who shed her loneliness’ Ko Ye-rim: “(Han) Da-hye’s arrival makes me feel at ease”... Now, a desperate hunt for ‘one win’: “Every player shares the same mindset” [V-League on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Ko Ye-rim (32), the ‘veteran’ of SOOP Supers, a newly formed team that overcame the crisis of disbandment and completed its reorganization, reaffirmed her firm resolve for the upcoming new season. The loneliness of the veteran she had confided in two months ago had by now transformed into a tight-knit organizational strength with her teammates.

Ko Ye-rim showed a noticeably relaxed expression during a pre-interview at the ‘2026-2027 Season Professional Volleyball Media Day’ held on the 7th at Hotel Riviera Cheongdam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

She had previously stated during the team’s open training in August that “as the most senior player, I sometimes feel like I am alone.” She explained, “Since it is my first time being the most senior player, I felt awkward and worried about what to do. At that time, (Han) Da-hye was not there either, so I felt like I had to carry that burden alone, which is why I said that.” She added, “Now that Da-hye has arrived and we are adjusting to each other, we have become increasingly cohesive, so I no longer feel that way and my mind is much more at ease,” emphasizing the strengthened unity.

Although SOOP started anew after a late start filled with twists and turns, the current team atmosphere exceeds expectations. Ko Ye-rim said, “The team atmosphere seems very bright and passionate these days. We are trying many new approaches to volleyball, so we are having fun.”

In particular, the philosophy of newly appointed head coach Kim Se-jin, who emphasizes ‘fun volleyball’ over results, is having a positive impact on the player roster. Ko Ye-rim stated, “I think the coach creates that kind of atmosphere a lot. He allows us to try many things and opens up paths so we can go in various directions.” She added, “We think it is fun to play volleyball while thinking and communicating a lot with each other, and we approach our games that way.”

This season, players with a strong desire to prove themselves, such as Jeon Sa-yeon and Go Ui-jung, have newly joined SOOP for the outside hitter position, making the competition for starting spots even fiercer. Ko Ye-rim said, “When there are many players in my position, whether they are older or younger, whether they play well or not, I train thinking of them all as competitors.”

She continued, “The strengths I have are different from the strengths those players have, so even though they are competitors, I try to watch and learn from them. In that regard, a synergy effect is created, and because there are many competitors, I approach my training with the mindset that I need to work harder,” showing a mature attitude befitting a veteran.

Although she stated that due to the long break caused by the turmoil the team experienced, she “cannot say her physical condition is 100%,” she expressed confidence by adding, “Still, I think I have recovered relatively quickly.”

She did not forget to encourage her junior teammates. Ko Ye-rim said, “I often tell them to maintain tension even during practice. I am emphasizing this aspect a lot,” fulfilling her sense of responsibility as a veteran.

The immediate first goal is the one win in the upcoming Cup Tournament. Ko Ye-rim firmly stated, “We have not yet won in the Cup Tournament, so the players are constantly thinking about that part. Every player has the mindset that we absolutely must get at least one win in this tournament.”

After going through a difficult off-season and pleasantly setting aside even the burden of being captain, attention is turning to whether Ko Ye-rim’s ‘fun volleyball’ will lead SOOP to its historic first victory.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original