Former National Volleyball Star Lee Jae-young Returns to Japan After Controversy

Lee Jae-young (이재영), a former member of the South Korean women's national volleyball team, is making her return to the Japan Volleyball League (SV League) after a four-year hiatus due to a bullying scandal. The VICTORINA HIMEJI team announced her signing on July 21, 2025, via social media, expressing excitement about bringing her on board. They described Lee as an outside hitter with world-class attacking and defensive skills.

In her statement through the Himeji team, Lee expressed her happiness about fulfilling her childhood dream of playing in Japan. She reflected on her past actions, stating, "I have seriously reflected on the events that occurred. I was worried about whether I could continue playing volleyball, as there is nothing that can replace it for me. I am grateful to the team for giving me this opportunity to play again." She also committed to giving her best in team play and asked fans to support her future endeavors.

The SV League is divided into two divisions for both men and women, with Himeji competing in the women's first division. The team is based in Himeji, near Osaka, and finished sixth out of 14 teams last season with a record of 27 wins and 17 losses, earning 79 points.

A representative from the Himeji team visited South Korea earlier this year, and it is reported that Lee signed a contract with the team under conditions that are relatively lower than those offered to foreign players in the league, given her long absence from competitive play.

Lee Jae-young, along with her twin sister Lee Da-young (이다영), was a prominent figure in South Korean women's volleyball. She debuted in the 2014-2015 season with Heungkuk Life Insurance, winning the Rookie of the Year award, and later secured the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in the 2016-2017 season. She led her team to a championship in the 2018-2019 season, earning her second MVP award.

However, in February 2021, allegations surfaced regarding bullying behavior by both Lee Jae-young and her sister, which led to Heungkuk Life Insurance imposing an indefinite ban on her participation, and the volleyball association stripping her of her national team eligibility. Attempts by Pepper Savings Bank to sign her for the 2022-2023 season were met with backlash and ultimately fell through.

Meanwhile, Lee Da-young is currently playing as the starting setter for the San Diego Wave in the American league (PVF).