I got hurt while training, but why did Lee So-young choose to terminate the contract on her own

Nov 08, 2025

I got hurt while training, but why did Lee So-young choose to terminate the contract on her own
V League GS Caltex and IBK Industrial Bank of Korea match held at Jangchung Gymnasium on the 19th. IBK Lee So-young is cheering after scoring. Jangchung = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.19/



I didn't get hurt on purpose. I don't have to cancel the contract...

IBK Industrial Bank of Korea is in shock. This is because Lee So-young, who ambitiously recruited last year, injured her shoulder again. What stands out is Lee So-young's decision. No professional player has ever made such a decision.

The Industrial Bank of Korea announced Lee So-young's season out and the termination of the contract. Lee So-young recently injured her shoulder during team training and was found to need surgery. It's a season out.




The Industrial Bank of Korea recruited FA Lee So-young for a huge amount of 2.1 billion won for three years ahead of last season. He debuted in 2012 and was in the spotlight as the league's best striker without explanation, but his shoulders were held back. Got a right shoulder injury after the 2022-2023 season.

Despite knowing that there are aftereffects of shoulder injury, Industrial Bank of Korea decided to make a big investment last year. But the first season was a nightmare itself. He rarely made himself in shape to play, and even if he played, he couldn't hit the ball as cool as he used to. He only played in 34 games as a substitute. It was a de facto 'eat and run' move.

He made a determination to make a comeback this season and prepared for it. But a bigger ordeal came. It was surgery, season out.




I got hurt while training, but why did Lee So-young choose to terminate the contract on her own
V League GS Caltex and IBK Industrial Bank of Korea match held at Jangchung Gymnasium on the 19th. IBK Lee So-young is trying to attack to avoid blocking. Jangchung = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.19/
In fact, it is not a reason to terminate the contract. A professional player agrees on several contract terminations when signing a contract. Usually, it happens when you can't keep what you have to keep as a professional player. Lee So-young is not like that either. I suffered an unexpected injury while training. In fact, if the player himself stayed still, the contract could proceed as it was. Still, it was a situation that I couldn't say anything about.

However, Lee So-young was troubled by the fact that she received a lot of money from last season and couldn't help the team at all, and as that continued this season, she asked for the termination of the contract herself. It was an unprecedented 'declaration of conscience'.

The club also accepted Lee So-young's request after careful consideration. Instead, it was decided to support the cost of treatment and rehabilitation.




Lee So-young gave up her personal big gains because she was worried that the club, which trusted her and gave her a big contract, would be in trouble because of her. While injuries alone are difficult, making this decision itself can be evaluated as a great thing.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.