We prepared this year. Why are you retiring?Her husband's words, legend, remained on the court with reason instead of emotion
Jul 21, 2025
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After the 2024-2025 season, Hwang Yeon-ju (39, Korea Expressway Corporation) faced the word 'retirement' as a reality.
Hwang Yeon-ju signed a two-year contract with Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate in April 2023 to remain in the FA for a total of 224 million won. After the 2024-2025 season, the FA contract period ended, and he had to sign a new salary contract.
The years were pitiful. In 2005, the first year of the V League, Hwang Yeon-ju joined Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders in the first round of the rookie draft (2nd overall) and received the first rookie award in the women's team, and also holds the record of the first triple crown (sub, blocking, rear attack of more than 3 points).
He became an FA in 2010 and moved to Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate, where he left his footsteps in the history of women's volleyball in the V-League, ranking first in serve scoring (461 points) and third in scoring (5847 points) until last season. However, chances at Hyundai Engineering & Construction began to decrease, with only nine games played in the 2024-2025 season, and eventually fell out of the new season's power plan.
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Her husband's words set the direction for Hwang Yeon-ju, who was contemplating retirement. Hwang Yeon-ju's husband is Park Kyung-sang (35), who played as an offensive guard in the KBL. As he retired before Hwang Yeon-ju, he knew his wife's concerns better than anyone else.
Hwang Yeon-ju said "When I first came out of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, I thought 'I can't play volleyball anymore, I should quit " But didn't your husband prepare to play volleyball this year. I don't know why I want to retire when I have options. Regardless of being good or bad at volleyball, I built up my body to play volleyball this year, and I said, 'There is a team I need, but don't think about whether to go or not.'" he said.
Hwang Yeon-ju continued "When I thought about it, it was right. I was preparing to play volleyball for the new season, and there was also a team that needed me. "I thought, 'If you can, you can do it.'" "My husband might also be having a hard time for a while, but he's okay again. I said, 'There's a team that calls you, and if you need it, it's right to do it,' and I also have a strong will to extend it.
At the same time, her husband's realistic words made Hwang Yeon-ju look back on reality. Hwang Yeon-ju said, "'My husband has been in Hyundai Engineering & Construction for a long time, so the color may be strong, but it's not a franchise, is it. Why do you think Hyundai Engineering & Construction should retire when you weren't selected as a rookie. I don't think a player like you will retire by intention, not by intention. I think they told me that because basketball often changes teams. That made me more willing to extend my active duty."
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Hwang Yeon-ju is a place to play volleyball anyway. Both the team that sends me and the team that receives it will be burdensome,' he said. `I just think I should do well.'
The Korea Expressway Corporation is probably the last team for Hwang Yeon-ju. Hwang Yeon-ju "Now it's important how to finish. First of all, I'm going to do my best for a year." Rather than doing something new, I want to help the team based on what I've done so far. He's not an age where he's improving like a young player. Rather than doing something dramatic, I try to be a player who pushes the team out of sight. I wonder if (Kang) Sohwi, the captain, will do it" smiled.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
