Sports Focus: Soop Supers Put Down Roots in Gwangju

By Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius)

The newly established Soop Supers are taking shape both on and off the court, confirming Gwangju as their home, unveiling a new club identity and accelerating roster construction ahead of their first V-League season.

Soop officially selected Gwangju Special City as the home of its women’s professional volleyball team and submitted the necessary application to the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) on July 30. The agreement is reportedly structured as an initial two-year partnership with an option for a further three-year extension.

The decision preserves professional women’s volleyball in the region following Soop’s acquisition of the former AI Peppers. It also gives Gwangju a continuing presence in professional winter sports, an area in which the city has experienced long absences since the departures of former professional basketball clubs Nasan Flamans and Shinsegae Coolcat.

Negotiations accelerated as KOVO’s deadline approached. League regulations require clubs to finalize their home city three months before the start of the season, leaving Soop little time ahead of the October 31 opening of the 2026–27 V-League campaign.

Gwangju had worked to retain the team since March, establishing a task force with the local sports council. Municipal financial support was also discussed, with the approximately 300 million won previously provided to Pepper Savings Bank used as a reference point in negotiations.

The Supers had already begun settling into their new surroundings before the agreement was finalized. Players assembled at Yeomju Gymnasium on July 20 to begin full-scale training, while club ownership and officials later inspected the venue and training environment. The club also oversaw work to change the colors of the volleyball court as it began transforming the arena into its new home.

Alongside the home-city announcement, Soop unveiled its official emblem. The design combines the company’s infinity symbol, a volleyball, and the “SOOPers” wordmark, which incorporates elements inspired by a volleyball court and net. According to the club, the emblem represents connection between the company, players, and supporters, while reflecting its ambition to grow through sport.

“Their next challenge will be … establishing the new name as a lasting part of Gwangju’s sporting landsape.”

The work on the court has been just as significant. Former Korean national team star Kim Se-jin was appointed the franchise’s first head coach after Soop received approval to join KOVO in June. Kim previously demonstrated his ability to build a new team when he took charge of the newly established Ansan OK Savings Bank team in 2013, leading the club to its first championship within two years and another title the following season.

Soop has since moved quickly to assemble a competitive roster. Audriana Fitzmorris was signed as the club’s foreign player, while Chinese middle blocker Yizhi Xue joined through the Asian quota system. Jeon Sae-yan and Song Eun-chae were also added as the club strengthened its domestic lineup.

More recently, the Soopers acquired outside hitters Ko Ui-jeong and Seo Ji-hye through separate trades. Ko arrived from IBK Altos, with Jeong Sol-min moving in the opposite direction and Soop also receiving a second-round selection in the 2026–27 rookie draft. An experienced V-League player, Ko brings a strong serve and proven attacking ability from the wing.

Seo, born in 2005, was acquired from Hyundai Hillstate in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2027–28 rookie draft. Her ability to contribute in attack and blocking gives Kim another young option with room to develop. The additions have created greater competition and depth at outside hitter as the club continues to search for further reinforcements ahead of the season.

“We will continue various activities to establish ourselves as a club loved by the community,” General Manager Lee Byung-ho said. “We will communicate closely with the region and work to bring new energy through volleyball.”

For Gwangju, the arrival of the Supers represents more than a change of ownership and name. The city retains its professional women’s volleyball team, while Soop inherits an existing local fan base and an established home arena rather than starting entirely from scratch.

The transition, however, has left the new organization with a compressed preparation period. Building chemistry among a reshaped roster, establishing a new club identity, and completing preparations at Yeomju Gymnasium must all be handled before the opening serve.

With its home secured, emblem unveiled, and roster rapidly taking shape, the Supers have now completed much of the foundation work. Their next challenge will be turning a summer of organizational change into a competitive first season – and establishing the new name as a lasting part of Gwangju’s sporting landscape.

Cover Photo: Soop Supers unveil their official team emblem. (Soop)