[On-site interview] "We're only clicking at 20 to 30 percent right now" Kim Dan-bi and Kang Yi-seul are already formidable... "When we hit 100 percent, it will truly be terrifying"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The new "one-two punch" of the Asan Woori Bank, Kim Dan-bi and Kang Yi-seul, is already demonstrating formidable power. However, the two players themselves agreed that their chemistry is still far from being fully developed.

Woori Bank, led by head coach Jeonju-won, defeated Cheongju KB 65-63 in the semifinals of the 2026 KB Kookmin Bank Park Shin-ja Cup held at the Cheongju Indoor Gymnasium on the 10th to advance to the final.

Woori Bank is now just one win away from its first title in the tournament.

Kim Dan-bi and Kang Yi-seul were at the heart of the victory. Kang Yi-seul, who joined Woori Bank this summer after leaving KB, contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, while existing ace Kim Dan-bi also provided support with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. The two players combined for 35 points to lead the team to victory.

Kim Dan-bi is one of the players who has felt the biggest change since Kang Yi-seul's arrival. This is because Kim Dan-bi, who had previously been subjected to intense defensive pressure from opponents, now has a reliable partner to share the offensive burden.

After the game, Kim Dan-bi said, "Now one or two defenders are assigned to Yi-seul as well. I can take a breather when things get tough," adding, "I had been feeling a lot of pressure for a while, so having a player who can share that burden is truly significant."

It is not just the physical burden that has decreased. With the addition of a reliable scorer in Kang Yi-seul, space on the court has also opened up.

Kim Dan-bi explained, "Because one or two defenders stick to Yi-seul, it creates more open space. There are now many more places where I can cut inside and pass the ball."

She continued, "When one defender is on Yi-seul and I drive, if two defenders come at me, we have a numerical advantage on the other side," emphasizing, "The remaining three players can create chances by using us two."

As opposing defenses focus on Kim Dan-bi and Kang Yi-seul, offensive opportunities naturally arise for the other players as well.

However, the two players are not yet satisfied with their current chemistry.

Regarding the synergy between her and Kang Yi-seul, Kim Dan-bi said, "There are still areas that need improvement. I think we are at about 60 to 70 percent right now," expressing anticipation that it will become truly terrifying once they exceed 100 percent.

Kang Yi-seul's assessment was even more modest.

Kang Yi-seul said, "Whether it is aggressive movement or the timing of my sister's passes, there are still parts that do not match up. It is a process of adapting to each other," adding, "Practice at Woori Bank has only just begun. So I think our current synergy is around 20 to 30 percent."

Although they have already shown formidable form in the Park Shin-ja Cup, this means that there is still a long way to go before reaching what the two players consider a "fully developed one-two punch."

The process of sharing each other's strengths is also interesting. Kim Dan-bi teaches Kang Yi-seul about passing and defense, while Kang Yi-seul, a shooter who represents the league, is teaching Kim Dan-bi how to shoot.

Kim Dan-bi hit three 3-pointers in the game against KB on this day. Regarding her outside shooting, Kim Dan-bi laughed and said, "Yi-seul's arrival has awakened me a bit."

Kang Yi-seul also shared an interesting behind-the-scenes story.

Kang Yi-seul said, "My sister Dan-bi told me she was teaching me a lot about passing and defense, so I didn't want to lose out and told her I would teach her how to shoot," laughing as she added, "And then my sister's shooting improved a great deal."

They are still at the stage of adjusting their movements and pass timing. In Kang Yi-seul's words, they have only just reached "20 to 30 percent." Nevertheless, the two players are already showing formidable power as the center of Woori Bank's offense.

If the "synergy exceeding 100 percent" mentioned by Kim Dan-bi becomes reality, a much more terrifying Woori Bank could be born.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original