1. Overview
Kim Su-ji (김수지Gim Su-jiKorean, born June 20, 1987) is a prominent South Korean volleyball player, primarily recognized for her role as a middle blocker. Hailing from Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Kim embarked on her professional career in 2005. She has been a vital member of the South Korean national team for over a decade, representing her country in major international competitions, including the Olympic Games where the team achieved a fifth-place finish in 2016 and a notable fourth-place finish at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Throughout her extensive club career, she has played for several leading V-League teams such as Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders, and IBK Altos. She has contributed significantly to her clubs' successes, including a regular season title with Heungkuk Life. Her long-standing friendship and on-court synergy with superstar Kim Yeon-koung are also notable aspects of her career. Kim Su-ji is currently playing for the Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders for her second stint with the club.
2. Early Life and Background
Kim Su-ji's early life and family background played a significant role in shaping her career as a professional volleyball player, establishing a deep connection to the sport from a young age.
2.1. Birth, Childhood, and Education
Kim Su-ji was born on June 20, 1987, in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, and later grew up in Ansan City in the same province. Her engagement with volleyball began early in her life, as she started playing the sport in the fourth grade of elementary school. Her educational journey included attendance at Ansan Seochodong Elementary School, Wonkok Middle School, and Hanil Jeonsan Women's High School (also known as Suwon Jeonsan Women's High School). After completing high school, she continued her studies at Kangnam University.
2.2. Family and Connection to Volleyball
Volleyball was a central part of Kim Su-ji's family life, with her parents significantly influencing her early exposure and passion for the sport. Both of her parents were volleyball coaches at the middle school level, creating an environment where the sport was a constant presence and a natural path for her. Furthermore, her younger sister, Kim Jae-young, also pursued a career as a professional volleyball player, underscoring the family's deep-rooted connection to the sport and their collective involvement in its development in Korea.
2.3. Friendship with Kim Yeon-koung
Kim Su-ji shares a remarkable and long-standing friendship with Kim Yeon-koung, widely regarded as one of the greatest volleyball players of all time. Their bond dates back to their childhood, as they were classmates and teammates from elementary school through middle school and high school. This shared journey, playing together on the same teams throughout their formative years, forged a deep connection. Their strong friendship and mutual understanding have been a notable aspect of their careers, allowing for exceptional synergy and collaboration both on and off the court.
3. Professional Career
Kim Su-ji's professional volleyball career has spanned several prominent clubs in the South Korean V-League and a significant tenure with the national team, marked by consistent performance as a middle blocker.
3.1. Club Career
Kim Su-ji has had a distinguished club career in the South Korean V-League, playing for three major teams and demonstrating her consistent abilities as a middle blocker.
3.1.1. Suwon Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate (2005-2014)
Kim Su-ji began her professional career in the 2005-2006 V-League season, having been selected as the third overall pick in the first round of the rookie draft by Hyundai Engineering & Construction Greenfox (the precursor to Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate). She made her debut in the 2005-2006 season and quickly showed potential as a future starter. While the Rookie of the Year award that season went to her childhood friend Kim Yeon-koung, Kim Su-ji's capabilities were clearly recognized. Two years later, with the arrival of another highly-regarded middle blocker, Yang Hyo-jin, who was drafted fourth overall in the 2007-2008 season, Kim Su-ji's role evolved. Although she occasionally became a "second-string" player in terms of starting lineup, she remained a crucial component of the team's strategy, often supporting Yang Hyo-jin and providing depth and stability to the middle blocker position. She continued to play for Hyundai Engineering & Construction for nine seasons until 2014.
3.1.2. Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders (First Stint: 2014-2017)
Following the conclusion of the 2013-14 season, Kim Su-ji became a free agent and made the decision to transfer to the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders. This move was significant for Heungkuk Life, which had been struggling after the departure of superstar Kim Yeon-koung. To rebuild the team, Heungkuk Life appointed new coach Park Mi-hee and actively sought to acquire Kim Su-ji. In her debut season with the team (2014-15), she immediately established herself as a key starter and a vital player. In the 2015-16 season, Heungkuk Life finished third in the regular season standings, but they were unable to overcome the strong challenge posed by her former club, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which featured formidable players like Hwang Yeon-ju and Yang Hyo-jin. However, the 2016-17 season proved highly successful for Kim Su-ji and Heungkuk Life, as they clinched the regular season championship. Despite this achievement, they ultimately fell short in the championship finals, finishing as runners-up to IBK Altos.
3.1.3. Hwaseong IBK Altos (2017-2023)
In May 2017, Kim Su-ji entered free agency for the third time in her career. After negotiations for a new contract with Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders did not reach an agreement, she opted to transfer to IBK Altos. This move was particularly noteworthy as IBK Altos had just won the V-League championship in the preceding 2016-2017 season. Kim Su-ji spent a significant period of her career with IBK Altos, playing for six seasons from 2017 until the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season, where she continued to be a consistent and important middle blocker for the team.
3.1.4. Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders (Second Stint: 2023-present)
Following the 2022-2023 season, Kim Su-ji once again became a free agent, marking her fifth time in this status. She subsequently signed a new 3-year contract to return to the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders. The total value of this contract was reported to be 930.00 M KRW, which included an annual salary of 270.00 M KRW and an additional 40.00 M KRW in options, bringing her total annual compensation to 310.00 M KRW. This transfer signified her return to her former club after a six-season absence, where she continues to contribute as an active member of the team.
3.2. National Team Career
Kim Su-ji has had a distinguished career representing the South Korea women's national volleyball team, participating in numerous major international tournaments and two Olympic Games.
3.2.1. Major International Tournaments and Olympic Participation
Kim Su-ji's involvement with the South Korean national team began in 2006. She participated in the 2012 World Grand Prix. Although she was considered a strong contender for the 2012 London Olympics roster, she unfortunately missed out on selection due to a knee injury, which was a significant setback for her career at that time. She later competed in the 17th Asian Women's Volleyball Championship in 2013 and the World SR. Women's Volleyball Championship Preliminary Round in 2014. In 2015, she was part of the squad for the 18th Asian Sr. Women's Volleyball Championship and the FIVB Women's World Cup Volleyball, where South Korea finished in sixth place.
During the 2016 Women's World Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Japan, Kim Su-ji played a pivotal role, consistently scoring crucial points that significantly contributed to the team's successful qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, the South Korean team achieved a fifth-place finish. She also participated in the 2017 World Grand Champions Cup. One of her most significant national team achievements came as a vital member of the South Korean team that secured a commendable fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Following her participation in the 2020 Olympics, Kim Su-ji decided to step down from the national team, concluding a long and impactful international career.
3.2.2. Captaincy
Kim Su-ji has taken on leadership responsibilities for the South Korean national team on several occasions. She served as the team captain during the 2017 Grand Champions Cup, taking over the role from Lee Go-eun and later being succeeded by Kim Yeon-koung. Additionally, she assumed the captaincy for the first week of the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League, succeeding Hwang Min-kyung, before the captaincy was passed to Kim Yeon-koung for the second week of the tournament.
3.3. Individual Statistics
The following table summarizes Kim Su-ji's individual statistics from the Korean V-League regular season during her early career (up to 2015-16 season).
| Season | Club | Matches | Sets | Attack Attempts | Attack Points | Attack Success Rate | Block Points | Blocks/Set | Serve Attempts | Aces | Aces/Set | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005/06 | Hyundai E&C | 18 | 41 | 159 | 38 | 23.9% | 9 | 0.22 | 60 | 9 | 0.22 | 63 |
| 2006/07 | Hyundai E&C | 24 | 97 | 379 | 102 | 26.91% | 27 | 0.28 | 249 | 11 | 0.11 | 141 |
| 2007/08 | Hyundai E&C | 28 | 108 | 428 | 114 | 26.64% | 38 | 0.35 | 326 | 14 | 0.13 | 167 |
| 2008/09 | Hyundai E&C | 28 | 109 | 359 | 105 | 29.25% | 51 | 0.47 | 263 | 9 | 0.08 | 165 |
| 2009/10 | Hyundai E&C | 28 | 102 | 432 | 141 | 32.64% | 40 | 0.39 | 435 | 19 | 0.19 | 200 |
| 2010/11 | Hyundai E&C | 24 | 89 | 328 | 138 | 42.07% | 26 | 0.29 | 243 | 12 | 0.13 | 176 |
| 2011/12 | Hyundai E&C | 30 | 119 | 386 | 172 | 44.56% | 48 | 0.4 | 343 | 7 | 0.06 | 227 |
| 2012/13 | Hyundai E&C | 30 | 110 | 271 | 116 | 42.8% | 37 | 0.34 | 383 | 9 | 0.08 | 162 |
| 2013/14 | Hyundai E&C | 30 | 113 | 251 | 109 | 43.43% | 42 | 0.37 | 360 | 13 | 0.12 | 164 |
| 2014/15 | Heungkuk Life | 30 | 115 | 288 | 115 | 39.93% | 59 | 0.51 | 393 | 10 | 0.09 | 184 |
| 2015/16 | Heungkuk Life | 30 | 120 | 558 | 213 | 38.17% | 56 | 0.47 | 416 | 18 | 0.15 | 287 |
4. Awards and Achievements
Kim Su-ji has garnered numerous awards and achievements throughout her distinguished career, both with the national team and her club teams.
4.1. Team Awards
- South Korea National Team
- Asian Games
- Bronze Medal (1): 2018 Jakarta-Palembang
- Asian Championship
- Silver Medal (1): 2015 Tianjin
- Bronze Medal (3): 2013 Nakhon Ratchasima, 2017 Metro Manila, 2019 Seoul
- Asian Games
- Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders
- V-League Regular Season
- Champion (1): 2016-17
- V-League Regular Season
4.2. Individual Awards
- V-League
- V-League Best 7: 2017 (while with Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders)
5. Broadcast Appearances
Beyond her professional volleyball career, Kim Su-ji has made several notable appearances on South Korean television programs.
- April 27, 2013: Infinite Challenge (Episode 327) - Guest
- June 7, 2020: Master in the House (Episode 123) - Guest
- September 1, 2021: You Quiz on the Block (Episode 121) - Guest
- September 2021: Radio Star - Guest
6. Evaluation and Impact
Kim Su-ji's career is marked by remarkable consistency, resilience, and longevity in South Korean volleyball. As a middle blocker, she consistently performed at a high level for both her club teams and the national team for nearly two decades. Her ability to adapt to new team environments, as evidenced by her multiple free agent transfers, speaks to her valuable skill set and reliable presence on the court. Missing the 2012 London Olympics due to injury was a personal setback, but her subsequent return and crucial role in the team's qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics demonstrated her determination. Her contribution to the national team's impressive fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics solidified her legacy as a key player in a golden generation of South Korean volleyball. Furthermore, her long-standing friendship and on-court synergy with superstar Kim Yeon-koung often provided a dynamic and formidable pairing for the national team. Her various captaincy roles, albeit brief, underscore her leadership qualities within the team. Post-national team, she continues to be an active and influential figure in the V-League, commanding significant contracts, highlighting her continued value and impact within the sport.