1. Early life and entry into professional Go
Lee Minjin was born on July 11, 1984, in Seoul, South Korea, and is originally from Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Early in her career, she received tutelage from Kim Won, a professional 7-dan Go player. Demonstrating significant talent during her amateur years, Lee achieved notable results. In 1997, she was the runner-up in the Lotte Cup Amateur Women's Supreme Tournament. The same year, she secured third place in the International Amateur Pair Go Championship, where she partnered with Lee Hak-yong. In 1998, she continued her strong amateur performance by placing third in the Amateur Women's Guksu tournament. Building on her amateur success, Lee Minjin officially entered the professional Go ranks in 1999.
2. Professional career
Lee Minjin's professional career began in 1999, marking the start of her journey through the rigorous ranks of professional Go. She steadily progressed through the dan system, achieving her highest rank of 8-dan in 2017. Throughout her career, she has been a member of the Korea Baduk Association, the governing body for Go in South Korea.
2.1. Career progression and rankings
Lee Minjin embarked on her professional career as a 1-dan player in 1999. Her talent quickly led to further advancements, and she was promoted to 2-dan in 2000. By 2004, she had reached the rank of 4-dan, and in 2006, she became a 5-dan professional. A significant milestone occurred in 2010 when, following her gold medal victory at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, she was promoted to 6-dan. Her upward trajectory continued with her promotion to 7-dan in March 2012, and she attained her current highest rank of 8-dan in 2017. Lee Minjin remains an active and respected member of the Korea Baduk Association.
2.2. Major achievements and tournament participation
Lee Minjin has participated in numerous domestic and international Go tournaments, securing a distinguished record of victories and high placements.
2.2.1. International tournaments
Lee Minjin has an impressive track record in international Go competitions, contributing significantly to South Korea's success on the global stage.
- She first represented South Korea in the Jeongganjang Cup World Women's Go Championship in its 3rd edition (2004) and 4th edition (2005).
- In the 2001 Sansui Qiancheng Cup International Women's Professional Go Championship, she finished as runner-up, overcoming notable opponents such as Yang Hui, Hua Xueming, and Yu Meiling, before ultimately falling to Xu Ying in the final match.
- A pivotal moment in her career came during the 2007 Jeongganjang Cup. Lee Minjin achieved a remarkable five-game winning streak, defeating Kato Keiko, Li Chunhua, Konishi Kazuko, Ye Gui, and Yashiro Kumiko, which propelled the South Korean team to their first-ever championship title in the event.
- She continued her dominant performance in the 2008 Jeongganjang Cup, securing three consecutive wins against Tang Yi, Kato Keiko, and Rui Naiwei, playing a crucial role in South Korea's second consecutive championship victory.
- At the inaugural World Mind Sports Games in 2008, held in Beijing, Lee earned a silver medal in the women's individual Go event. Her path to the final included victories over Rui Naiwei and Wanba Kana before a decisive match against Song Ronghui.
- In 2010, at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, Lee was an integral part of the South Korean women's team that clinched the gold medal in the Go team event.
- The same year, she reached the finals of the Pair Go World Cup, where she finished as runner-up alongside her partner, Mok Jin-seok.
- Her other appearances in the Jeongganjang Cup include the 2005 event, where she recorded one win against Cao Cheng and one loss against Umezawa Yukari, and the 2006 event, with one win against Wang Xiangyun and one loss against Chinen Kaori. In 2009, she recorded one loss against Li He.
- She also competed in the 2014 Huanglongshi Shuangdeng Cup World Women's Go Team Championship, where she had a record of one loss against Song Ronghui.
2.2.2. Domestic tournaments
Lee Minjin has also achieved significant success in various domestic Go tournaments within South Korea.
- She reached the main tournament rounds of the 7th Professional Women's Guksu in 2000 and the 3rd Women's Myeongin tournament in 2001. In 2004, she also advanced to the challenger decider of the Women's Myeongin tournament.
- In the 13th Professional Women's Guksu in 2008, she finished as runner-up, losing 1-2 to her compatriot Park Jieun.
- She secured 9th place in the 10th SK Gas Cup Rookie Pro 10 Best tournament in 2006.
- Lee Minjin has consistently showcased her strength in the GG Auction Cup Women vs. Seniors Winning Streak Battle, a unique tournament pitting women professionals against senior male professionals.
- In 2008, she achieved a four-game winning streak by defeating Cha Min-soo, Park Young-chan, Kwon Kap-yong, and Han Cheol-gyun, before her streak was ended by Kim Jong-su.
- In 2012, she extended this prowess with a five-game winning streak, overcoming Kwon Kap-yong, Kang Hun, Kim Jong-su, Han Cheol-gyun, and Cha Min-soo, before losing to Seo Neung-wook.
- Her most impactful performance in this event came in 2020, where she secured another four consecutive wins. Notably, she defeated top male professionals including Ahn Cho-young, Lee Seong-jae, Yoo Chang-hyuk, and the legendary Lee Chang-ho, playing a pivotal role in the women's team securing victory.
- Her participation in 2007 included one loss against the esteemed Cho Hun-hyun, and in 2009, she recorded one win against Kim Dong-yeop and one loss against Ahn Gwan-wook.
- She won the Korea Baduk Association Cup Pair Go tournament in 2009, again partnering with Mok Jin-seok.
- Lee Minjin has been a regular participant in the Korean Women's Baduk League. Her team affiliations and records include:
- 2015: Gyeongju Nisigum (5 wins, 4 losses)
- 2016: Yeosu Geobukseon (6 wins, 7 losses)
- 2017: Gyeongju Nisigum (5 wins, 7 losses)
- 2018: Gyeongju Nisigum (6 wins, 10 losses)
- 2019: Seoul EDGC (6 wins, 7 losses)
- 2020: Samcheok Haesang Cable Car (5 wins, 7 losses)
- 2021: Seogwipo Chilshimni (9 wins, 5 losses)
- She also competed in the "Flower Over Go Queen's Tournament" in 2016 and the Women's Top Go Player Decider League in 2021.
3. Personal life
Outside of her professional Go career, Lee Minjin engages in various personal interests. She enjoys playing the Piano and practicing Dance, showcasing a diverse range of hobbies beyond the Go board. Among the legendary figures in the world of Go, she holds deep respect for her compatriot Lee Chang-ho and the renowned Japanese player Fujisawa Shuko.
4. Legacy and reception
Lee Minjin is widely acknowledged as one of South Korea's most accomplished female Go players, celebrated for her consistent high-level performance and her instrumental contributions to national team triumphs. Her leadership in securing two consecutive Jeongganjang Cup titles for South Korea and her gold medal win at the Asian Games underscore her significant impact on the international stage. Domestically, her repeated strong performances in tournaments like the GG Auction Cup, particularly her victories against top male professionals, have firmly established her as a formidable and respected figure within the Go community. Her dedication to the sport, strategic prowess, and impressive achievements have served as an inspiration for many aspiring Go players in South Korea and beyond.