How Lee So-hee ended a 31-year drought in South Korean women's doubles badminton
In short: Lee So-hee has redefined consistency in professional badminton, evolving from a teenage prodigy into a world-dominating force. After years of high-stakes partnerships, her ascent to world number one and a historic 2026 World Championship gold medal marked the end of a three-decade wait for South Korean women's doubles glory.
Born in Ulsan in 1994, Lee So-hee was identified as a talent early, quickly transitioning from an energetic child to a competitive athlete. Her professional trajectory began in earnest with her induction into the senior national team at just 17. Throughout her career, Lee has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, maintaining elite performance levels while navigating multiple high-profile partnerships, most notably with Shin Seung-chan and later Baek Ha-na.
The partnership with Baek Ha-na proved transformative, propelling the duo to the summit of the BWF World Rankings in October 2024. Their synergy was tested in high-pressure environments, including the 2026 BWF World Championships. In the final against reigning champions Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, Lee and Baek secured a decisive 21–15, 21–15 victory. This win was particularly significant for South Korean badminton, as it broke a 31-year drought in the women's doubles category, a title not held by the nation since Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock in 1995.
Beyond individual titles, Lee has been a cornerstone of South Korean team success. She contributed to gold medal runs at the 2017 Sudirman Cup, the 2022 and 2026 Uber Cup, and the 2022 Asian Games. Her career is defined by an ability to overcome physical setbacks—including appendicitis surgery and muscle tears—and a relentless competitive drive that has seen her excel across the BWF Superseries, Grand Prix, and the modern BWF World Tour structure.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Lee So-hee
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