There was a basketball player who debuted on an underdog team and won the Rookie of the Year award that season. After that, he struggled to become the league’s top scorer, but the team’s performance did not improve. After moving to the team as a free agent (FA), he lifted his dream trophy twice. Still unable to forget his home team, this player decides to return to his debut team.
This is not the story of NBA star LeBron James (39). This is the story of Kim Jong-un (36), who left Woori Bank, where he worked for 6 seasons, and signed a free agent contract with Hana 1Q, his former team. James announced on a live TV broadcast that he was leaving his debut team Cleveland for Miami, but Kim Jong-un had to join Woori Bank as if he was kicked out of KEB Hana Bank (now Hana One Q) in 2017.
Kim Jong-un, whom we recently met at a cafe in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, said, “Hanawon Q is the place where I devoted all my youth. He worked really hard for the team. The sense of mission, ‘I will definitely put this team to the top’, was really great. Wasn’t my nickname at that time ‘the girl’s head’?” he said.
Kim Jong-un, who underwent knee surgery in 2016, only recorded an average playing time per game (18 minutes 27 seconds) and an average score (5.13 points) in the 2016-2017 season. After the season ended, Hana 1Q, who declared free agency, did not actively negotiate. In the previous two FAs, it was Hana One Q that always offered the best treatment to Kim Jong-un.
At that time, Woori Bank manager Wi Sung-woo said, “I will help restore honor,” and Kim Jong-un became a Woori Bank player. Kim Jong-un announced his comeback by winning the MVP in the 2017-2018 season championship match, and even experienced his second championship win in the 2022-2023 season.
Kim Jong-un said, “Actually, I was going to retire after last season. So, during the third round of the championship match, he invited his husband, who had not been allowed to come to the stadium, for the first time. After transferring to Woori Bank, in the beginning, my husband lost every time he came to the stadium, so I never let him come,” he said. Thanks to that, I was able to take a commemorative photo with her husband,” he said.
Kim Jong-un, who married former rugby player Jeong Dae-ik (39) in 2016, scored 18 points, including five 3-pointers, in the third game of the championship game. It was the most goals scored by both teams in this match and also tied the record for the most points scored in a single championship game. Kim also grabbed 11 rebounds that day.
Woori Bank, who won the championship with the victory that day, also tried to sign an extension contract with Kim Jong-un, who obtained the qualification for the fifth individual free agent. Also, recruiting offers came from Shinhan Bank as well as Hana 1Q. “It was the decision I had the most trouble with in my life,” said Kim Jong-un. Also, if I remain, it will inevitably affect the salaries of junior players. So, in the end, I decided to leave the team.”
He said, “Shinhan Bank also offered really good conditions, but I thought it would be most valuable to finish my career as a player by helping my juniors grow on my own team.” “Rebuilding is not something that only young players can do. I will do my best so that the young players are not overwhelmed by the spirit of the (opposition team) older sisters.”
Kim Jong-un continued,메이저사이트 “There were times when I hated Hana 1Q in the early days of Woori Bank transfer. However, as I watched the team fall apart as the players left, I felt really bad as some unknown emotions surged in my heart. I think that’s why I thought I wanted to help my family’s team.” Hana 1 Q finished last season (6th place) with 6 wins and 24 losses.
Kim Jong-un said, “I think this contract is a bonus in my basketball life. Now, on the court, it is not the same as before,” he said. So, I want to help make Hana 1 Q a team that players want to come to.”