"True Revenge Is Only Complete With a Second Win"... With Lee Hyun-jung, Can Korean Basketball Deal a Major Blow to China?

[Financial News] The voice of 'Korean Curry' Lee Hyun-jung (Nagasaki), who set Beijing ablaze, was filled with confidence. Having toppled the PRC's Great Wall on foreign soil, the ROK men's basketball team now aims to write a new chapter in history at home.
This was more than just a single victory. It signaled the true resurgence of ROK basketball.
Led by interim head coach Chun Hee-chul, the ROK national team will play the second game of the first round of Group B in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers against the PRC at 7 p.m. on the 1st at Wonju DB Promy Arena. After their electrifying 80-76 win in Beijing, the ROK is now aiming for back-to-back victories over Asia’s basketball powerhouse.
The standout performer in the first match was undoubtedly Lee Hyun-jung. He didn’t just play well—he dominated the game. Scoring 33 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, he also set a new record for the most three-pointers in the history of the Asian Qualifiers with nine shots made against the PRC.
Despite standing over 200 cm tall, Lee Hyun-jung showcased a quick release, pinpoint accuracy, and aggressive rebounding, proving that skill and determination can overcome the PRC’s height advantage. The PRC’s defense was helpless against his perimeter shooting, marking the arrival of the 'definitive ace' that ROK basketball has long awaited.

This second match carries special significance. The last time the ROK achieved consecutive wins over the PRC dates back 12 years—to the East Asian Basketball Championship final in May 2013 and the Asian Championship qualifiers in August of the same year. Since then, the ROK has repeatedly fallen short against the PRC’s height, resulting in a disappointing head-to-head record of 16 wins and 36 losses.
However, the momentum has shifted. Buoyed by their away victory, the ROK now has the passionate support of their home fans. If they manage to win this home game as well, it could go down as a major disaster for the PRC.
Of course, complacency is not an option. The PRC, led by NBA alumnus Zhou Qi (216 cm) and Kevin Zhang (208 cm), will be eager to avenge their first loss with their overwhelming physicality. Notably, in the latter part of the first game, Lee Hyun-jung was heavily guarded and somewhat isolated, allowing the PRC to close the gap—an issue that coach Chun Hee-chul must address.
When the consistency of Lee Hyun-jung is combined with the unpredictability of his teammates, victory comes even closer. Lee Hyun-jung declared, "I regret the turnovers in the fourth quarter. Only by preparing more perfectly and winning the second game will it be true revenge." The determination within the squad is stronger than ever.


jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter