Lee Da-yeong

2.1. Family

Lee Da-yeong's family has a distinguished athletic lineage. Her father, Lee Ju-hyeong (이주형^Korean), was a former national athlete in track and field, specializing in the hammer throw, and competed in the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. Her mother, Kim Gyeong-hui (김경희^Korean), was a setter for the South Korea women's national volleyball team and participated in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Lee Da-yeong's twin sister, Lee Jae-yeong (이재영^Korean), born five minutes before her, is also a professional volleyball player and a former member of the South Korean national team. In addition to her twin, Lee Da-yeong has an older sister, Lee Yeon-sun (이연선^Korean), who is a fencing athlete, and a younger brother, Lee Jae-hyun (이재현^Korean), who is also a volleyball player currently attending Namseong High School.

2.2. Education

Lee Da-yeong's educational journey involved several institutions before she pursued a professional volleyball career. She attended Jeonju Jungsan Elementary School before proceeding to Jeonju Geunyeong Middle School. During her middle school years, she transferred to Jinju Gyeonghae Girls' Middle School. For her high school education, she enrolled at Jinju Sunmyung Girls' High School, from which she graduated in 2015 after entering in 2012. Throughout her time in middle and high school, she and her twin sister, Lee Jae-yeong, were recognized for their significant potential as young athletes, often playing as key starters for their respective school teams.

3.1. Domestic Club Career

Lee Da-yeong's domestic club career commenced with her highly anticipated entry into the V-League. In the 2014-2015 V-League Rookie Draft, she was selected as the second overall pick by Suwon Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate, immediately following her twin sister, Lee Jae-yeong, who was the first overall pick. Initially, she played as a backup setter for Hyundai Hillstate, behind established national team setter Yeom Hye-seon.

Following the 2016-2017 season, when Yeom Hye-seon transferred to another team as a free agent, Lee Da-yeong solidified her position as Hyundai Hillstate's starting setter. Her performance during the 2017-2018 season was particularly notable, earning her the "Round 1 MVP" award. After the conclusion of the 2019-2020 season, Lee Da-yeong herself gained free agent status. She then signed a three-year contract with Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders, joining her twin sister on the same team. This contract was valued at a total of 1.20 B KRW, including a contract fee of 400.00 M KRW, an annual salary of 300.00 M KRW, and an additional 100.00 M KRW in options per year.

3.2. National Team Career

Lee Da-yeong's national team career began early in her playing life, joining the junior national team in 2012 and progressing to the senior national team in 2013. She frequently played alongside her twin sister, Lee Jae-yeong, in various international tournaments.

Her notable appearances and achievements with the South Korean national team include:

• The 2012 Asian Junior Championship, where the team finished in 5th place.
• The 2013 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, where South Korea secured a Bronze medal.
• The 2014 FIVB World Grand Prix.
• The 2014 AVC Cup, earning a Silver medal.
• The 2014 Asian Junior Championship, where the team won a Bronze medal.
• The 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where she and her sister clinched a historic Gold medal in the women's team event.
• The 2015 FIVB World Cup.
• The 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
• The 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, contributing to a Bronze medal for South Korea.
• The 2018 FIVB World Championship.
• The 2019 FIVB World Cup.
• The 2020 Tokyo World Cup preliminaries.

4.1. School Bullying Allegations

In February 2021, Lee Da-yeong, along with her twin sister Lee Jae-yeong, became the subject of widespread public and media attention due to school bullying allegations. Former middle school classmates posted anonymous accusations online, detailing various acts of violence and harassment attributed to the twin sisters during their school years. The allegations included claims of physical assault, threatening teammates with weapons, acts of confinement, and instances of severe verbal and psychological abuse, including swearing at the parents of their teammates.

The revelations sparked immediate public outcry and calls for accountability within the sports community. Both Lee Da-yeong and Lee Jae-yeong publicly stated that many of the accusations against them were false and announced intentions to take legal action against the anonymous individuals who made the online posts. Despite their denials, the backlash was swift and severe, leading to significant repercussions for their careers.

4.2. Personal Life Issues

Beyond the bullying allegations, Lee Da-yeong's personal life also became a subject of public scrutiny, particularly regarding her marriage and subsequent divorce. She married her then-husband in April 2018, following a three-month dating period. However, the couple separated shortly after, with her husband alleging verbal and physical abuse suffered at the hands of Lee Da-yeong during their marriage. These allegations further compounded the negative public perception surrounding her. The couple eventually settled on a legal divorce in 2021.

4.3. Disciplinary Actions and Restrictions

The school bullying allegations and the subsequent public pressure led to severe disciplinary measures against Lee Da-yeong and her sister. In February 2021, both were indefinitely suspended by their club team, Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders. Concurrently, the Korean Volleyball Association (KVA) also issued a heavy disciplinary punishment, banning them indefinitely from participating in the national team. Furthermore, the KVA implemented a permanent expulsion, preventing them from being listed as volleyball coaches even after their retirement from playing. These restrictions effectively ended their professional careers in South Korea and prompted their move to overseas leagues.

6.1. Individual Awards

• 2014 Asian Junior Championship: "Best Setter"
• 2014-2015 Korean V-League: "All-Star Game Ceremony"
• 2015-2016 Korean V-League: "Best Dresser"
• 2015-2016 Korean V-League: "All-Star Game Ceremony"
• 2017-2018 Korean V-League: "Round 1 MVP"
• 2017-2018 Korean V-League: "All-Star Game MVP"
• 2017-2018 Korean V-League: "Best 7 - Setter"
• 2018-2019 Korean V-League: "Best 7 - Setter"
• 2019-2020 Korean V-League: "Round 3 MVP"
• 2019-2020 Korean V-League: "Best 7 - Setter"
• 2021-2022 Greek Championship: "Round 3 MVP"

6.2. Team Achievements

Lee Da-yeong has also contributed to several team successes at both the club and national levels.

Her club team achievements include:

• 2015-2016 Korean V-League: Champion, with Suwon Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate

  

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Her national team achievements include:

• 2013 The 17th Asian Women's Volleyball Championship: Bronze Medal

  

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• 2014 The 17th Asian Junior Women's Volleyball Championship: Bronze Medal

  

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• 2014 The 4th Asian Women's Cup Volleyball Championship: Silver Medal

  

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• 2014 The 17th Incheon Asian Games: Gold Medal

  

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• 2018 The 18th Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games: Bronze Medal

  

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7.1. Public and Media Reception

Initially celebrated as a rising star and a key player for the national team, Lee Da-yeong enjoyed widespread popularity for her skills and dynamic presence on the court. However, this admiration shifted dramatically following the school bullying allegations in 2021. Media coverage became overwhelmingly critical, focusing on the alleged abuses and the subsequent disciplinary actions. Public opinion largely condemned the reported behaviors, leading to a significant decline in her popularity and an almost complete cessation of her domestic professional activities. The controversy highlighted a prevailing societal expectation in South Korea for public figures, especially athletes, to maintain a high moral standard, both on and off the field.

7.2. Broader Impact on Korean Sports and Society

The school bullying controversy involving Lee Da-yeong and Lee Jae-yeong had a far-reaching impact that extended beyond their individual careers, contributing to increased awareness and discussion about school violence within South Korean sports. This incident, among others, brought to light the issue of abuse within athletic training environments, prompting a re-evaluation of how young athletes are treated and the culture of sports teams. It spurred calls for greater protection for victims of bullying, more stringent oversight of coaches and senior athletes, and improved systems for reporting and addressing such incidents. The public outcry potentially influenced policy changes within sports organizations aimed at fostering safer and more respectful environments for athletes, emphasizing accountability for past actions, and promoting athlete welfare. The case served as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked power dynamics and the importance of ethical conduct in all levels of sports.