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From Pro Coach to Youth Mentor: lee Si-joon Champions the Next Generation of Basketball Talent

Jeongseon, South Korea – in a heartwarming display of dedication to the sport’s future, former Shinhan Bank director Lee Si-joon has transitioned from the professional league to nurturing young talent. Lee was recently spotted at the NH Nonghyup Bank 2025 Jeongseon Global Youth Basketball Super Cup, a burgeoning international event that this year welcomed 70 teams and 1,200 athletes across nine age divisions, from U9 to U18, including a women’s elementary school category.

Lee, who coached Shinhan Bank until the previous season, is now lending his expertise to the Bundang Samsung club youth team. His presence at the Super Cup underscores a growing trend in basketball progress, where club programs are increasingly playing a vital role in identifying and cultivating promising players.

Reflecting on his recent career shift, Lee shared, “I worked as a college basketball commentator. I knew kim Jung-hwan.” His tenure with Shinhan Bank was marked by an unexpected challenge when he stepped in as interim head coach following Kunathan’s sudden health issues. Despite a strong effort, the team narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing tied with KB Stars with a 12-18 record.”There were a lot of scenes in the middle of the season. It was hard but I had a good experience,” Lee commented on the demanding period.Kunathan has since recovered and is now coaching youth players in Wonju YKK.

A significant highlight for Shinhan Bank during Lee’s time was Hong Yu-soon‘s selection to the national team. “Hong Yu-soon went to the national team and I congratulated him,” Lee stated. “He is also doing his role as a backup center.”

Turning his attention to the club level, Lee expressed his enthusiasm for the young athletes he’s now coaching. “The player was impressed that the player was better than the elite,” he observed. “The players are good at learning. Bundang Samsung’s system is so good. Parents are also good at supporting.” This sentiment highlights the crucial support system that surrounds young athletes, from coaching philosophies to parental involvement.

The impact of club basketball on the elite pathway is undeniable, with many players transitioning from club environments to professional careers. Lee,who himself benefited greatly from his time with Samsung,feels a sense of fulfillment seeing young players don the same uniform. “There is a nomination system in the pro,” he noted, hinting at the direct pipeline that well-structured club programs can provide.

When asked about his coaching philosophy for youth development, Lee emphasized a balanced approach. “In youth basketball, the basics are not overly emphasized.The key is how fun you can teach hard exercise,” he explained. “The basics are important when you first learn basketball.we will study and teach how children can be faithful to the basics and make basketball captivating.” this focus on making essential training engaging is key to fostering a lifelong passion for the sport.

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Concert Performance review

This domestic solo concert, the first in approximately two years and two months, garnered notable attention from fans both domestically and internationally. The final day’s performance was broadcast online via the global transmission platform ‘Beyond live,’ allowing even more fans to participate.

The concert featured a dynamic setlist, starting with “Historia” and transitioning into “Paranoia” from the new report ‘Dare to CRAVE.’ This sequence aimed to create a dramatic atmosphere by connecting to the group’s established worldview. Following this, the performances of “Swish,” “Believer,” and “Underdog” took place.

The performance was exceptionally colorful, incorporating various concepts, effects, and stage devices. The members showcased their individual songs, solo stages, and unit songs. Beyond the extraordinary lighting and large screen productions, the choreography, which utilized strings, stand microphones, and chairs, enhanced immersion. The stage was also expanded to include a substage, further enriching the overall performance.

For the first time, the group presented a band sound, featuring guitar, drums, and keyboard. This addition provided a richer melody and injected explosive energy into the performance. The audience reacted enthusiastically to songs like “Adrenaline,” “Mr.,” and the Japanese mini-album title track “DILLY DALLY.” The repeated chorus of “Mr.” and the members’ direct interaction with the audience evoked a memorable atmosphere.

The performance of “LOVE or DIE” and “Road to Kingdom,” enhanced by a large frame, added a poignant touch, recalling their championship honor from the previous year. The brilliant performance of the band session reached its peak, followed by a sea of purple from the cheering rods.the title song “Set Net G0?!” culminated in a powerful display of the group’s energy, highlighting the collaborative nature of the stage.

The group created a more dramatic scene by utilizing the “kinness stairs” in the air during the “Horizon” stage. In “LOVE ME Again,” they deepened their connection with fans by reaching out and shaking hands towards the audience, concluding the stage with heartfelt emotion. The members expressed their sincere feelings, blushing and offering each other encouraging hugs.

As the concert concluded, both the group and the fans expressed regret at the end of the performance, leading to an encore of “Mr.” The concert ended perfectly with the song “Wish Upon A STAR.”

Speaking through their agency, Starship Entertainment, the group expressed their happiness over the two days. They stated, “It’s been a long time, and we worked hard with new attempts, such as performing in a handball stadium for the first time, incorporating band sound, and showcasing solo stages. Thank you for your love and for jumping together. let’s make good memories for a long time.”

In related news,according to a teaser video released before the concert,the group is scheduled to appear on the 101st episode of ‘Craigti Park’ on the 28th. Following their activities with the title song “Set Net G0?!,” they will continue their promotions with the follow-up song “Swiss” on SBS FUNE’s ‘The Show’ today (15th).

[Photo] Starship Entertainment