Ji So-yun has become the first-ever Korean to join the FA Women’s Premier league in England, as she penned a two-year contract with the Chelsea Ladies Football Club (Chelsea L.F.C.) on February 5.

Being part of the Chelsea ladies’ team, the 22-year-old footballer will be pitted as an attacking midfielder against the eight other top English ladies’ football clubs in the upcoming FA Women’s Super League (WSL), set to run from April to October.


There were loud calls of “Ji!” as she ran across the pitch with No. 10 blazoned across her jersey at the Reading Training Centre in England on February 11.

Chelsea L.F.C. new comer Ji and her teammates were engaged in a fierce battle against Reading W.F.C., a competing team.

The game was Ji’s debut match, and at the same time was a test bed for the upcoming WSL, even though it was only a friendly. She showed off her extraordinary technique in controlling the ball, freely switching from defensive mode to offensive mode. Despite her several attempts at scoring, the Chelsea team was beaten four to three.

“With this first match, I’m even more determined, once again, to keep the promise that I made to get at least one goal or assist in each and every game here,” said the Korean footballer after the game. “All the players were amazing. They are fast and strong. I will have to try harder.”

Korea.net recently talked to Ji So-yun to hear more about how she’s been doing in England and about her love for football.

* Interview with Ji So-yun


- How do you feel about joining Chelsea L.F.C.?

I feel so honored to be part of this wonderful team. I’d like to thank the Chelsea club, my manager, Emma Hayes, and the staff who have helped me come this far. I will do my best to help lead the team to success.

- We wonder how your day goes in England.

I focus on training and studying English.

- Have you experienced any big difference after joining the team?

I feel much more responsibility than ever before to live up to the high expectations.


- We heard that your manager, Emma Hayes, once handed you a note saying that she wanted to work with you. Tell us a little bit more about the story.

Thankfully, she had her eyes on me after she saw me play as a member of the Japanese football club INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2011, where I did a pretty good job. Her keen interest in my progress has led to this opportunity. I think it is an once-in-a-lifetime experience. I sincerely thank Hayes for that.

- When did you decide to play football?

My interest in and love for football kicked in when I was just eight years old. When I first told my parents I wanted to become a football player, they stubbornly opposed the idea. However, one of my acquaintances, who noticed that I had an extraordinary talent for the sport, persuaded my parents to think more contemplatively about it and they finally changed their minds. They allowed me to do what I really wanted to do and I started playing football.

- You must have faced many difficulties playing this physically demanding sport. What is your solution when you face a dilemma?

The most difficult thing about being in this field is to see people who are indifferent to, or have an actual prejudice against, women’s football. That’s really discouraging. I think, however, what has kept me going and sticking to it is my endless passion for the sport.

- When did you finally feel that you made the right decision to follow this path?

I think of that every time I go on field wearing the national uniform. I am proud of myself when I play for Korea.

- What would you be doing now if you had taken a different path? 

Well, I’ve thought about that a bit, but I really think I would have ended up being a football player, no matter what.

- We are curious about what you usually do after your training sessions. Also, how do you keep in such good shape?

I usually spend my time studying English or cooking, especially Korean food. I keep myself in great shape with a healthy, balanced diet and weight training every day.

- What do you think is your competitive edge over much bigger players?

I’d say my fast dribble and my quick decision-making.

- Do you miss anything about not following an average woman’s career path? What would you do if you weren’t in this business?

I just want to doll myself up, like all the other ordinary girls do in their 20s.

- You must face difficulties in communicating with other players, due to the language barrier. How do you deal with that? 

Thanks to the help of Emma Wilhelmsson [a Swedish defender], with whom I share a boarding house, I’ve gotten closer to my teammates.

- Do you have any words of encouragement for women footballers who dream of heading overseas?

There are so many potential, talented players out there. I am sure that a good opportunity will come to them some day. For me, I will do all I can here so as to help create a favorable image of women’s football.

- Who’s your role model? 

I hope I will be a role model myself, to inspire other promising football players.

- What kind of player do you want to be? Do you have something that you wish to accomplish, at least once, as a football player?

I wish to make a big contribution to the Korean women’s football team. Also, I dream of winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

- What does “football” mean to you?

Even if I were born again, I’d still play football.

By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr