Women's basketball forward Kim Jong Un's nickname is "senior." The nickname was given because of his name, but it is also true that he has exceptional presence and charisma.
Kim, who played for the "Kingdom" of Asan Woori Bank until last year, has returned to his old team as a free agent ahead of the 2022-23 season. The effect of "Senior" is certain so far. As of Thursday, Hana One Q ranked fourth with six wins and 10 losses in 16 games. Although it still has a long way to reach a 50 percent win rate, its six wins in the first half are the same as the final wins of last season. For the three seasons before Kim Jong Un's arrival, Hana One Q had a winning rate of 0.367 ranked fifth, 0.167 lowest and 0.200 lowest. This season, both the performance and mood are very different.
"I can feel that the team has strengthened a little bit. I think the result came out just now because each of the players played their part," said guard Jihyun Shin, 28, who met with Kim Jong Un at the Cheongna Club House in Incheon recently.
"Actually, if I win just one or two games in the beginning of the season, I thought it would be easy for me to finish the season," Kim said. "I could have won the opening game against Yongin Samsung Life Insurance, but the mood was subdued as the game turned around with about 40 seconds left. Still, I believed that if I started to win, it would be resolved."
"After losing four games in a row after the season's opening, there were times when I looked bad again. Then, I pointed out my juniors. After that, they did a great job," he said. "My juniors follow me very well. If I give them advice so that they can grow, they take care of me, so I'm twice as proud as I play."
Kim joined Shinsegae Cool Cat as the No. 1 draft pick in 2005 and won the Rookie of the Year award in that year. Becoming the founding member of Hana One Q, which was formed after the dissolution of Shinsegae, Kim was the original ace who supported the team's dark ages. He has become the top scorer four times alone. After moving to Woori Bank, he also received the MVP award at the championship game.
His Jihyun Shin is that he has held on to Kim Jong Un as the "lone ace." Like his predecessor, he is the winner of the Rookie of the Year award. He is also a national guard with top-notch attack capabilities. However, after transferring to the team's shooter Kang Yi-seul 29, Cheongju KB, he had to lead the team that came in the bottom alone.
This season is different. Center Yang In-young has grown significantly. Veteran players such as Kim Jong-un and Kim Si-on have been added to this to take the center stage in the team. In particular, whenever the team faltered, Kim Jong-un's advice and criticism became a milestone for his juniors. The air on the Hana One Q court, which was full of frustration, is now filled with expectations and smiles.
Bitter criticisms can never change anyone's mind. Not only those who performed in lower grade but also national Jihyun Shins can be no exception. "A few days ago, I told Jihyun to listen to your bitterness," Kim said with a smile. "I'm sure Jihyun has some hard times because of me."
A proverb is one's own affection. "Players know whether they are just nagging because they hate their juniors or if they are nagging because they need it for their team," Jihyun Shin said. "Now that I know her true feelings, I repeat what my juniors gave me and promise to do well again."
"Ji-hyun's posture in basketball has been really good since he was a rookie. That's why I loved him so much," Kim said. "I didn't know when I was young. After going through a lot of hardships, I realized that people who give me honest words are memorable and help me grow up." "Ji-hyun must have had a hard time, too, because of the weight he has to bear. However, the ace is responsible for both the joy of victory and the pain of defeat. I want to help Ji-hyun grow stronger."
"In the past, I used to focus on the opponent's defense in every game. I felt that I was forced to play basketball. It was hard because I lost every time," Jihyun Shin said. "Now I realize for sure that basketball is a team sport. When I can't play well, other players can let me go. Instead of doing well alone, I think about how to make the team better."
Kim also set a valuable record this season after returning to his old team. At the match against BNK in Busan on Nov. 25 last year, he scored 7,874 points overall, beating his coach Byun Yeon-ha 7863 to rank second overall in score. As of Thursday, he scored a total of 7966 points, 174 points to break the record set by Jeong Seon-min, former coach of the women's national basketball team 8140 points.
"It's just my record because I played for a long time. I don't have any other greed in that regard," Kim said. "So far, my name has been labeled as 'injured'. I have overcome many ups and downs throughout my career, and I am still on the court. I feel like I want to compliment myself on that."
The two players, who are no longer lonely, dream of becoming better in the year of Gapjin and Hana One Q. Both Jihyun Shin and Kim Jong Un cautioned against "yet" but did not hide their hope. "I'm happy to be a member of Hana One Q. I want to play a playoff in Hana One Q and step on the court in the championship game. That's my dream all the time," Jihyun Shin replied. 스포츠토토
"Of course, it would be great if I could go to the team right away this season. However, I hope Hana One Q can become a team that other players want to come to. This season, Hana One Q is becoming a team where players can play happily, knowing that they will win in a good mood. I want to lay the groundwork for becoming a team that players want to play in at least once," Kim said.