Lee So-hee

A card with a badminton player's name and numbers - Lee So-hee

Lee So-hee is a cornerstone of the modern South Korean badminton dynasty, celebrated as one of the most resilient and tactically astute doubles players in the world. Known for her “iron-clad” defense and exceptional playmaking, she has reached the pinnacle of the sport with multiple partners, including her legendary stint with Shin Seung-chan and her current world-dominating run with Baek Ha-na. As of early 2026, she stands as a veteran leader of the Korean squad, recently regaining the World No. 1 ranking after a spectacular title run at the 2025 Season Finale.

Basic Information

  • Name: Lee So-hee (μ΄μ†Œν¬)
  • Date of Birth: 14 June 1994
  • Nationality: South Korea πŸ‡°πŸ‡·
  • Height: 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
  • Handedness: Right-handed
  • Playing Style: Defensive counter-puncher; characterised by world-class court coverage, high tactical IQ, and a powerful “rear-court” smash when transitioning to attack.
  • Current Ranking: World No. 4 (WD with Baek Ha-na, 10 February 2026)
  • Highest Ranking: World No. 1 (WD with Baek Ha-na, 29 October 2024)
  • Status: Active

Career Highlights & Achievements

πŸ† World Championships:

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (1) – 2021 Huelva (with Shin Seung-chan)

πŸ₯‰ Bronze (1) – 2014 Copenhagen (with Shin Seung-chan)

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πŸ† Asian Championships:

πŸ₯‡ Gold (1) – 2024 Ningbo (with Baek Ha-na)

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (1) – 2023 Dubai (with Baek Ha-na)

πŸ₯‰ Bronze (2) – 2016 Wuhan, 2017 Wuhan (with Chang Ye-na)

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πŸ† BWF World Tour / Superseries / Major Finals

πŸ† BWF World Tour Finals

πŸ₯‡ Champion (3) – 2020 (with Shin Seung-chan), 2024, 2025 (with Baek Ha-na)

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (2) – 2018 (with Shin Seung-chan), 2023 (with Baek Ha-na)

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Β πŸ† Super 1000 / SS Premier

πŸ₯‡ Winner (6) – China Open (2016), All England Open (2017, 2024), Denmark Open (2017), Indonesia Open (2023, 2024)

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (7) – Indonesia Open (2017), China Open (2017, 2023), Thailand Open (2020), Denmark Open (2021), All England Open (2023), Malaysia Open (2026)

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πŸ† Super 750 / SS

πŸ₯‡ Winner (4) – Fuzhou China Open (2018), French Open (2019, 2021), Denmark Open (2025)

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (8) – Korea Open (2015, 2017), French Open (2015, 2017), Fuzhou China Open (2019), Denmark Open (2022), Singapore Open (2023), Japan Open (2024)

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πŸ† Super 500 / GP Gold

πŸ₯‡ Winner (3) – Korea Masters (2015, 2017), U.S. Open (2017)

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (8) – Korea Grand Prix Gold (2012), Swiss Open (2013), Chinese Taipei Open (2013), Thailand Open (2015), New Zealand Open (2016), Hong Kong Open (2018), Korea Open (2019), Malaysia Masters (2023)

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πŸ† Team Events:

πŸ† Sudirman Cup (Mixed Team):

πŸ₯‡ Gold (1) – 2017 Gold Coast

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (2) – 2023 Suzhou, 2025 Xiamen

πŸ₯‰ Bronze (2) – 2015 Dongguan, 2021 Vantaa

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πŸ† Uber Cup (Women’s Team):

πŸ₯‡ Gold (1) – 2022 Bangkok

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (1) – 2016 Kunshan

πŸ₯‰ Bronze (2) – 2020 Aarhus, 2024 Chengdu

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πŸ† Asia Team Championships:

πŸ₯‡ Gold (1) – 2026 Qingdao (Women’s team)

πŸ₯ˆ Silver (3) – 2020 Manila (Women’s team), 2017 Ho Chi Minh, 2023 Dubai (Mixed team)

πŸ₯‰ Bronze (2) – 2016 Hyderabad, 2018 Alor Setar (Women’s team)

Playing Style & Strengths

Lee So-hee is a defensive mastermind, utilising a low-centre-of-gravity stance and exceptional “on-the-fly” reading of the game to absorb the world’s heaviest smashes. Her game is defined by her ability to turn desperate defensive situations into immediate counter-attacks through sharp net interceptions and a deceptively heavy smash from the back court.

  • Impenetrable Defense: She is widely regarded as one of the hardest players to "break" in a rally. Her ability to redirect power back to the opponent's vacant corners often forces errors from aggressive attackers.
  • Tactical Versatility: Lee has reached the top with multiple partners (Shin Seung-chan, Chang Ye-na, Baek Ha-na), proving her ability to adapt her role from a primary attacker to a defensive anchor.
  • Front-Court Playmaking: Despite being known for her defense, she is lethal at the net. She uses a high racket head to intercept drives, often ending rallies before the opponent can reset.
  • Mental Fortitude: As a veteran, she is the "cool head" during high-pressure points. Her composure was vital in Korea's 2022 Uber Cup victory, where she anchored the team's spirit.

Rivalries & Key Matches

πŸ”Ή Liu Sheng Shu / Tan Ning (CHN): The modern “Heavyweight” rivalry. In 2025 and early 2026, Lee and Baek faced this explosive Chinese pair in multiple finals, creating a classic clash between Korea’s legendary defence and China’s raw power.

πŸ”Ή Chen Qingchen / Jia Yifan (CHN): An era-defining rivalry. Lee has battled the “World No. 1” Chinese pair for a decade, with their matches often deciding the fate of World Championship and Sudirman Cup titles.

πŸ”Ή Yuki Fukushima / Mayu Matsumoto (JPN): The “Marathon” rivalry. Matches between Lee and the Japanese defensive masters frequently exceed 90 minutes, testing the physical and mental limits of both pairs.

πŸ”Ή Nami Matsuyama / Chiharu Shida (JPN): A contrast in speed. Lee’s tactical placement is often the only thing capable of neutralising the Japanese pair’s relentless flat-game attacks.

Notable Matches

🏸 2025 World Tour Finals Final: A masterful straight-sets victory where Lee and Baek outmanoeuvred the top seeds to reclaim their status as the world’s premier pair.

🏸 2017 All England Final: Partnering with Chang Ye-na, Lee won the most prestigious title in badminton, ending a lengthy drought for Korean women’s doubles in Birmingham.

🏸 2022 Uber Cup Final: A historic team performance where Lee helped lead Korea to an upset victory over China, ending a 12-year wait for the trophy.

🏸 2021 World Championships Final: A gruelling battle against Chen/Jia that showcased Lee’s peak defensive capabilities, earning her a hard-fought Silver medal.

Personal Life & Background

Lee So-hee was born in Ulsan, South Korea. Her journey into badminton began at the age of 10 after a school teacher noticed her natural agility and recommended the sport. She attended the prestigious Ulsan High School of Arts, where she balanced her athletic training with her studies. Lee was a standout junior, winning back-to-back World Junior titles in 2011 and 2012, which fast-tracked her into the senior national team at just 17. Off the court, she is known for her quiet, professional nature and is deeply respected by her peers for her work ethic. She is a fan of traditional Korean art and often mentions her gratitude to her family for supporting her through the early, financially challenging years of her career.

Trivia & Fun Facts

⭐ The “Partner Chameleon”: Lee is one of the few players in history to have reached World No. 1 with two completely different partners (Shin and Baek).

⭐ MVP Status: She was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Korean Badminton League in 2017.

⭐ Junior Dominance: She and Shin Seung-chan are one of the few pairs to have successfully defended a World Junior Championship title (2011 & 2012).

⭐ Racket Preference: A long-time Victor athlete, she currently uses a setup designed for high-speed defensive redirects and power stability.

⭐ Corporate Pillar: She has been a vital part of the Incheon International Airport corporate team, leading them to numerous domestic league titles.

Latest News & Updates

As of February 2026, Lee So-hee is ranked World No. 4 in Women’s Doubles alongside Baek Ha-na. After a dominant end to the 2025 season where they won the World Tour Finals, they started 2026 with a runner-up finish at the Malaysia Open Super 1000. Lee has confirmed that her primary goal for the year is the Asian Games in Nagoya, stating that she feels she is currently playing the most “intelligent” badminton of her career.

FAQs

  • Who is Lee So-hee’s current partner?
    • She is currently playing with Baek Ha-na.
  • How many All England titles has she won?
    • She won the title in 2017 and 2024 with Chang Ye-na and reached the final again in 2023.
  • Has she won an Olympic medal?
    • No, her highest Olympic finish was 4th place at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
  • What is her highest world ranking?
    • She reached World No. 1 on 29th October 2024
  • Which corporate team does she represent?
    • She plays for the Incheon International Airport team in South Korea.
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