Volleyball Superstar Kim Yeon Koung Enjoys Normal Life After Rio Olympics, Prepares to Head Back to Turkey

by YuGee / Sep 02, 2016 06:07 AM EDT

TOKYO, JAPAN - MAY 22: Yeon-Koung Kim #10 of South Korea talks to the media in the mixed zone during the Women's World Olympic Qualification game between Dominican Republic and South Korea at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on May 22, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan. (

South Korean volleyball superstar Kim Yeon Koung is back to her homeland after competing in the recently concluded Rio Olympics to spend some time meeting young volleyball players who also dream of becoming successful like her.

Before she heads back to Turkey, where she plays for Fenerbahce, the highest paid volleyball player in the world observed the practice session of the volleyball team of her alma mater Suwon Computer Science Girls High School. She also gave short but meaningful words to aspiring volleyball players by saying, "Anything is possible."

After the practice session, Kim entertained JoongAng Ilbo for an interview concerning the Olympics, volleyball, and her personal life.

When asked about the Olympics, Kim said, "I have mixed feelings about the Olympics. I felt relieved and regretful at the same time. But after a while, I felt more of the former than latter. But every time I watch the games, disappointment comes back. I watched the final match and the bronze medal match on television. The final match between China and Serbia was unexpected and this got me thinking about the London Games. I realized how tough it is to advance to the final four at the Olympics. We should have taken a medal from London."

She then added, "What pleased me about the Olympics was that we received so much attention before as well as after the games. Something we did not have before." South Korea is now at the 10th place in the International Volleyball Federation after the Rio Olympics.

It also seems like the South Korean volleyball team is now getting the attention of the Korea Volleyball Association (KVA) officials. Kim Yeon Koung said, "Seo Byung Moon, the newly appointed President of the KVA, promised us that things will be different. We discussed what needs to be improved. He was quite dumbfounded by our requests because what we asked for were basics of the basics."

"I want to coach," Kim said after being asked what she plans to do after retirement. She added, "Coaching a team is a privilege and I would like to teach my know-how and share the experience I accumulated over the years while playing in domestic and overseas leagues."

Kim is a huge fan of Jo In Sung, and just recently, they were pictured together. She quipped, "I had lunch with him on August 26. He knew I was his fan."