I left the team I grew fond of through a trade. It is my first transfer. It may be awkward, but Kim Hee-jin needed a change.
Kim Hee-jin will wear the uniform of Hyundai E&C Hillstate Volleyball Team starting from the 2025-2026 season. After spending a long time at Industrial Bank of Korea, she is now preparing for new goals and a comeback.
On the 9th, Kim Hee-jin met with reporters and said, “After the team transfer, I talked with the coach. If I looked too relaxed due to difficulties, the coach said, 'It would be nice if you could say a word.' So the coach said, 'If you have that attitude, I can talk about it as much as you want.' He really meant it.
Kim Hee-jin received the number 15 jersey. She wore number 7 during her time at Industrial Bank of Korea. She said, “I just took one of the available numbers. I liked it and wanted to try it.” She is still adapting to the new team after the transfer. Currently, she is also working on getting back into shape after an injury. It is said that she did ball training for the first time that day.
Her body is getting into good shape. Kim Hee-jin explained, “When my body was good, I was smoothly reaching my target for muscle mass and body fat.”
She spent a long time at Industrial Bank of Korea. She made her V-League debut in the 2011-2012 season, playing for 14 seasons. During this time, she also played for the national team, gaining immense popularity as a star in Korean women's volleyball. However, she also faced many struggles with injuries and found herself at a crossroads.
Kim Hee-jin said, “The process of moving teams is long, but the transfer is a moment. I continued to talk with coach Kim Ho-cheol about how we should proceed. I was in a waiting situation. Then Hyundai E&C gave me the opportunity.”
He continued, “I also received a coaching offer from Industrial Bank of Korea. It felt like I was in the process of retiring. I was very disappointed. I wanted to showcase my skills on the court for at least a year, so I chose to trade. I ended up joining such a good team. Everyone smiled and said it was great.”
Hyundai E&C Volleyball Team announced on May 26 that it had signed star player Kim Hee-jin from Industrial Bank of Korea's franchise. Existing middle blocker Lee Da-hyun left for Heungkuk Life Insurance as a free agent. Kim Hee-jin will fill this position.
Hyundai E&C Volleyball Team signed a contract with Kim Hee-jin through negotiations with Industrial Bank of Korea, exchanging rookie player draft rights (2nd round for the 2026-2027 season) and cash. Kim Hee-jin added, “I wanted this. I wanted to come. They respected my wishes at Industrial Bank of Korea.”
Despite knee pain holding her back, Kim Hee-jin said she has improved a lot. She explained, “The pain has gotten much better. Right now, I am focusing on getting my body back in shape.”
Kim Hee-jin is a former national team member who competed in the Olympics three times: in London in 2012, Rio in 2016, and Tokyo in 2020. She is a multi-position player capable of playing both middle blocker and opposite spiker. Coach Kang Sung-hyung noted, “While Kim Hee-jin is not in her prime shape, she has the determination and will. She has been a great player. If she gets her body in shape, I think she will defend well in the middle.”
Kim Hee-jin vowed, “The sight of me on the court seems to be the happiest. That’s my true self. I will work hard to stay on the court for a long time.”
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