Let’s be real for a second. If you followed the south korea women's national volleyball team during the Tokyo Olympics, you probably felt like anything was possible. That fourth-place finish? Pure magic. Kim Yeon-koung was carrying the weight of a nation on her shoulders, and for a moment, it felt like Korea had cracked the code of global volleyball.
But then, the "Empress" retired.
Since Kim Yeon-koung stepped away from the international stage, the team has been in what sports fans politely call a "transition phase," though if we’re being honest, it’s felt more like a freefall. We aren't just talking about losing a player; we're talking about losing the gravitational center of the entire program. In 2024 and 2025, the reality check hit hard. The team struggled to find its footing in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), and the recent news of relegation from the VNL core group has left fans wondering: is there a way back?
The Fernando Morales Era and the VNL Reality Check
When Fernando Morales took over as head coach in early 2024, there was this hope that a fresh, international perspective—specifically that fast, Puerto Rican style of play—would bridge the gap. Morales is a guy who knows the grind. He came in with a "mid-term plan" to get the team ready for the 2026 World Championship and eventually the 2028 Olympics.
But sports are brutal.
The 2025 VNL season was a tough watch. The south korea women's national volleyball team finished at the bottom of the 18-nation standings with a 1-11 record. Their lone victory—a gritty 3-2 win over Canada—showed flashes of what they could be, but the consistency just wasn't there. They were losing in straight sets to powerhouses like Italy and Japan, and the gap in power and defensive coordination was glaring.
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In September 2025, the Korea Volleyball Association (KVA) dropped the hammer. They decided not to extend Morales's contract. It was a "2+1" deal, and they chose not to trigger that extra year. The KVA basically said, "Look, we like the communication and the vibe, but the results? Relegation is a dealbreaker."
Now, as of early 2026, the search for a new leader is on. The association is looking for someone who can handle the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and the Asian Championships. They need a miracle worker, or at least someone who can teach a young roster how to win without a generational superstar.
Life After the Empress: The New Faces
Who’s actually on the court right now? It’s a lot of names that V-League fans know, but international fans are still getting used to.
Kim Da-in has been the primary setter, trying to navigate the impossible task of replacing the veteran leadership in the huddle. Then you've got Kang So-hwi and Jung Ji-yoon on the outside. These are talented players, don't get me wrong. Kang So-hwi is arguably the best domestic hitter in the V-League, but translating that success to a world where blockers are 6'4" and jump like gazelles is a different beast entirely.
The 2025-2026 National Roster Standouts:
- Setters: Kim Da-in, Park Sa-rang.
- Outside Hitters: Kang So-hwi, Jung Ji-yoon, Lee Ju-ah.
- Middle Blockers: Lee Da-hyun, Jung Ho-young (the height here is actually decent, which is a silver lining).
- Liberos: Han Da-hye, Han Soo-jin.
The problem isn't necessarily a lack of talent. It's a lack of "kill power." In the modern game, you need someone who can put the ball away when the score is 23-23 and the pressure is suffocating. For twenty years, that was Kim Yeon-koung. Now? It’s scoring by committee, and the committee is often tied up in a meeting.
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The V-League Paradox
Here is the weird part: while the national team is struggling, women's volleyball in Korea is actually more popular than ever.
You’d think people would stop showing up if the national team keeps losing, right? Nope. Attendance for the 2025-2026 V-League season is actually up. When the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders held Kim Yeon-koung’s official retirement ceremony in late 2025, over 5,000 fans packed the stadium. Even without her on the court, matches between teams like IBK Altos and Hyundai Hillstate are drawing huge crowds.
Why? Because the domestic league is balanced. It’s competitive. It’s fun. But that creates a bit of a "bubble" effect. The players are stars at home, earning high salaries and playing in front of sell-out crowds, but they aren't being pushed by the same level of physicality they face when they play Brazil or Turkey.
The Road to 2026 and Beyond
So, what is the south korea women's national volleyball team actually aiming for now?
Since they are out of the 2026 VNL, the focus shifts entirely to the Asian circuit. The goal is to regain dominance in the AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation). If they can't beat Thailand or keep up with Japan and China, the path to the 2028 Olympics is basically closed.
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The KVA has started an "age-based" development system. They finally launched a U16 team in 2025 to create a pipeline. It’s a "long-term play," which is code for "it’s going to be painful for a while." They’re trying to build a system where the senior team isn't just a collection of V-League stars, but a cohesive unit trained for the international speed of play.
What needs to happen next:
- Find a "Tactical" Coach: Since Korea doesn't have the height of the Europeans, they need a system built on insane floor defense and hybrid attacks. Think Japan's model, but tweaked for the Korean roster.
- International Exposure: Players need to be encouraged to play abroad. Currently, the V-League pays so well that few players want to head to Europe or the US. But playing in the Italian or Turkish leagues is the only way to get used to world-class power.
- Patience from the KVA: Firing coaches every two years is a recipe for disaster. Whoever takes the job in 2026 needs a full cycle to implement a philosophy.
The south korea women's national volleyball team is at a crossroads. The nostalgia of the 2012 and 2021 Olympic runs is fading, and the cold reality of the world rankings (currently sitting around 34th) is the new baseline. It’s not about finding the "next Kim Yeon-koung"—that person doesn't exist. It's about finding a new way to play the game that doesn't rely on a miracle.
If you're looking to follow the journey, keep an eye on the 2026 Asian Games. That will be the litmus test. If they can medal there, the rebuild is officially on track. If not, it might be a very long decade for Korean volleyball fans.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow the V-League: Watch the development of younger middle blockers like Kim Se-bin; they are the future of the national net defense.
- Watch the Asian Championships: This is where the team will earn the ranking points needed to stay relevant for Olympic qualification.
- Support the Youth Pipeline: Keep an eye on the U16 and U18 results; the players who will lead the 2032 team are starting their international journeys right now.