Kim Yeon-koung Biography: Awards, Club, Net Worth, Age, Wikipedia, Nationality, Height, Parents, Siblings, Instagram

Kim Yeon-koung is a highly accomplished South Korean professional volleyball player and a former member of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission.

As an outside hitter, she served as the captain of the South Korean national team. Kim began her volleyball career at a young age and made an immediate impact, joining the national team in 2005.

She quickly garnered recognition as the third-highest scorer at the World Grand Champions Cup. After an illustrious career, Kim announced her retirement from the national team in August 2021.

Throughout her career, she earned over 40 individual awards and 35 domestic medals, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s top volleyball players.

Profile

• Full Name: Kim Yeon-koung
• Stage Name: Kim Yeon-koung
• Born: 26 February 1988
• Age: 36 years old
• Birthplace: Ansan-si, South Korea
• Nationality: South Korean
• Occupation: South Korean professional volleyball player
• Height: 1.92 m
• Parent: Kim Gil and Lee Keum-Ok
• Siblings: Kim Hye-kyung
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $1 million and $2 million

Early Life And Education

Kim Yeon-koung was born on February 26, 1988, in Ansan, South Korea, to parents Kim Gil and Lee Keum-Ok. She has one older sister, Kim Hye-Kyung, who also played volleyball and was a significant influence in sparking Kim‘s initial interest in the sport.

Kim began playing volleyball in the fourth grade and attended Hanil Women’s High School, where she refined her skills and emerged as a standout player. A proud Korean, Kim identifies with the cultural heritage of South Korea and practices Christianity.

Career

Kim Yeon-koung‘s volleyball career began at an early age, and her remarkable talent quickly earned her a place on the South Korean national team at just 17 years old. She made her international debut at the 2005 World Grand Champions Cup, despite not having played a single club match yet.

This early exposure on the global stage set the tone for a career filled with accomplishments and accolades. Her journey with Heungkuk Life (now Incheon Heungkuk Life Insurance Pink Spiders) in the Korean V-League proved to be transformative, where she played a crucial role in leading her team to victory in the league’s inaugural season.

Her exceptional performance earned her several MVP titles, including Best New Face, Regular Season MVP, and Final Championship MVP, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the sport.

Kim‘s success in South Korea paved the way for international opportunities, with her first overseas move to Japan’s JT Marvelous for the 2009-10 season. She continued to dominate in Japan, helping her team secure top standings and earning the title of Best Scorer in both 2009 and 2010 at the Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup.

Her international experience broadened her skills and contributed to her growth as one of Asia’s top volleyball players. In 2011, Kim signed a lucrative contract with Fenerbahçe in Turkey, where she achieved even greater success.

Over six seasons, she won numerous titles, including Turkish league championships and the CEV Champions League. Her outstanding performances earned her four MVP awards, cementing her reputation as one of the best outside hitters globally.

Kim‘s international career reached new heights at the 2012 London Olympics, where she set an Olympic record by scoring 207 points throughout the tournament. Despite South Korea finishing fourth, her performance was widely hailed as one of the best in Olympic volleyball history.

The pinnacle of her national team career came at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, where she led her team to a gold medal, winning every match in straight sets. She also contributed to a silver medal at the Asian Cup in the same year.

After a successful career abroad, Kim returned to South Korea and competed in her third Olympics at Tokyo 2020. There, her leadership and scoring prowess helped the team reach the quarterfinals. She became the first player to score over 30 points in an Olympic match four times.

Kim announced her retirement from international play in August 2021 after an illustrious 17-year career. She left a lasting legacy as one of South Korea’s greatest volleyball players, inspiring future athletes.

Post-retirement, she continued her club career with Shanghai Bright Ubest in China and remained active on social media, engaging with her large fan base.

Awards and Nominations

Kim Yeon-koung has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her illustrious volleyball career.

Domestic Awards

Korean V-League

• MVP (Most Valuable Player): 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24
• Best Outside Hitter: Multiple seasons including 2022-23 and 2023-24
• Best Server: 2008-09
• MVP of the Round: Several instances across different seasons

International Awards

Olympics

• Most Valuable Player and Best Scorer at the 2012 London Olympics
• Set an Olympic record for most points scored in a single tournament (207 points)

Asian Championships

• Best Scorer: Multiple editions
• Best Server: Multiple editions

Club Achievements

CEV Champions League

• Most Valuable Player: 2011–12 season
• Best Scorer: 2011–12 season

Turkish League

• Most Valuable Player: Several seasons including 2014–15 and 2015–16

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @kimyk10
• Facebook handle:
• Twitter handle:

Personal Life

Kim Yeon-koung is currently single and has kept details about her relationships and marital status private. She has primarily focused on her volleyball career and personal growth, maintaining a low-key personal life despite her fame and success.

Net Worth

Kim Yeon-koung‘s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $2 million as of 2025, reflecting her position as one of the highest-paid female volleyball players globally.

This wealth stems from her successful career in both domestic and international leagues, as well as lucrative endorsement deals with brands such as Mizuno, Nivea, and Barilla Pasta.

In addition to her playing contracts, Kim signed a one-year contract extension with the Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders in April 2023, valued at approximately 775 million won (around $590,000), which included a base salary and performance incentives.