The Korean-American beauty foreign player who left Korea in tears has fulfilled her dream of re-entering the V-League. Thanks to the advice of 'volleyball queen' Kim Yeon-koung, Rebecca Rasem will wear the uniform of Heungkuk Life, the defending champion from last season.
The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) announced that on the 9th, in Istanbul, Turkey, Rebecca Rasem (27) was drafted by Heungkuk Life as the 7th overall pick in the 2025 KOVO women's foreign player draft.
Rasem, an American national with a Korean grandmother, debuted in the V-League during the 2021-2022 season with IBK Industrial Bank. She garnered much attention from fans for her strong ties to Korea and her stunning appearance, and quickly integrated into the team after arriving, showcasing a diligent training attitude and sociability. Her notable strength was her powerful attacks based on her height of 191 cm.
Contrary to expectations, Rasem did not fulfill her role as a foreign player and was released by IBK Industrial Bank in November 2021. She played four more games before the replacement player, Dali Santana, joined the team and demonstrated the dignity of a professional athlete by giving her all until the end. After finishing the V-League finale, Rasem wiped her tears and promised to come back.
After failing to re-sign in the V-League, Rasem continued her career in Greece and Puerto Rico. She received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award this season in the Puerto Rican Women's Volleyball League (LVSF) for her improved skills.
Participating in the V-League women's foreign player draft, Rasem was more sincere than anyone about her desire to return to the V-League. She repeatedly expressed how much she missed Korea, stating, 'Even after leaving the V-League, I followed it closely. I watched many games featuring Silva and Kim Yeon-koung. After watching the games, I often thought about Korea and found it hard.'
She added, 'Coming to Korea and meeting fans who welcomed me and treated me with love made me feel emotions I couldn't experience in any other country. It was a personally difficult time, but I could overcome it with the love of the fans. Knowing how much Korean fans love volleyball and how special the culture of supporting players is, I really wanted to come back. The experiences with the culture and food were also wonderful.'
Coincidentally, Rasem conducted a tryout in front of Kim Yeon-koung, the 'volleyball queen,' who had announced her retirement and transformed into an advisor for Heungkuk Life. It is rumored that Kim Yeon-koung's favorable evaluation of Rasem also contributed to her being drafted. Seeing Kim Yeon-koung heightened her desire to return to the V-League, and thanks to Kim's advice, she was able to achieve her dream. After confirming her signing with Heungkuk Life, Rasem also sat down to chat with Kim Yeon-koung.
Meanwhile, IBK Industrial Bank, which secured the first pick, re-signed with Victoria Danchak. GS Caltex, selecting sixth overall, also extended their partnership with Gisele Silva. Pepper Savings Bank, with the second pick, selected Joe Weatherington (U.S.), while Hyundai E&C, with the third pick, chose Kari Geisberger (U.S.). Korea Expressway Corporation, with the fourth pick, selected Leticia Momah (Cameroon), who played for Hyundai E&C last season.
The fifth pick, Jeongkwanjang, selected Elisa Janette (Italy), and the seventh pick, Heungkuk Life, chose Rebecca Rasem (U.S.).
The annual salary for a foreign female player in her first year is $250,000 (approximately 300 million won), and from the second year, it increases to $300,000 (approximately 400 million won).
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