Interview with Sonia Ursu Kim

Sonia’s time in the WKBL was significant as there are still very few mixed Korean athletes that have played or are currently playing in Korean professional sports. While no longer in the WKBL, there is still a good chance she may return to the league in the future.

She is now the starting shooting guard for Olimpia CSU Braşov in Romania this 2014-15 season. It is her first pro season in Romania and third overall. She is currently averaging 8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the season (as of 3/6/2015).

The 5’9″ (1.76m) guard/forward is also on the Romanian Women’s National under-20 basketball team and has hopes to be selected to compete for Romania in the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2015 tournament this upcoming June.

While Sonia is in the middle of her 2014-15 pro season we were able to catch up with Sonia to discuss her background and basketball career and are pleased to present this interview.

Please note that HalfKorean.com comments/questions are in BOLD.

Background: The Basics on Sonia

When and where were you born? Where were you raised and where do you currently reside?
I was born on July 24, 1993 in Suceava, Romania. My first five years of life I lived in Korea and then came back to Romania. I’m currently staying in Bucharest, Romania.

How did your parents meet?
My parents met at the seaside in Mangalia, Romania. My mum was there in a vacation and my dad was there as a naval engineer.

Are your parents still together?
No, my parents are separated but they have a good relationship.

Do you have any siblings?
No, I don’t.

Are you as tall as your parents?
They are both around my height. Maybe my dad is 10 cm taller than me.

Did either of them play basketball?
No, but my mum was a runner in her junior period and my dad likes sports in general. He is a professional scuba diver.

We know you are currently living in Romania. Is there any sort of Korean community there?
Yes, I think there is but I don’t know much about it because I’m not involved.

How well do you speak and understand Korean?
When I was little I used to talk just in Korean but when I came back to Romania, there was no one to speak to in Korean so I started to forget it. However, I always kept in touch with my dad. At the moment, I understand it more than I can actually speak it.

What is your favorite Korean food?
I have been eating Korean food since I was a baby. My favorites are samgyeopsal (삼겹살) and dukboki (떡볶이).

Have you tried and/or like soju?
Yes I tried it but I don’t like it.

Did you grow up around other half/mixed Koreans or people of mixed heritage?
No, I haven’t grown up with other half Koreans but I did enjoy the friendship of people of other mixed heritage.

Did you ever experience any identity issues while growing up?
Yes I did when I was little. But, I consider it a thing in the past which that made me stronger. In middle school, some kids were messing around with me calling me ‘Chinese girl’ or ‘Made in China’ or they would just stare at me all the time. It was irritating. On the other hand, when I grew up, I realized that they were just curious and fascinated by me because at that time there weren’t mix kids.

Do you have any memories from your early years in Korea?
Of course, I remember almost everything. My Korean family, my teacher from kindergarten, the beautiful island, my cousins, the Korean food, 노래방.. 🙂

Before beginning your basketball career in Korea, how often had you been to Korea?
I went to Korea twice in 2011 and 2012.

What do people who meet/see you think your ethnicity is?
Most people get me confused with other Asian ethnicities. On the upside, they always have positive reactions saying that I’m special and unique.

Career: Professional Basketball Player

How long have you been playing basketball?
I’ve been playing basketball since I was 11.

Were you into any other sports while growing up?
Yes, I actually did swimming in the 3rd grade.

What do you consider your best strengths/assets on the basketball court? What do you work on most to improve your overall game?
My best strengths on the court are taking layups, penetrating and rebounding. I like
playing defense and making steals and I think I have to improve my 3-point shooting.

Do you have any basketball superstitions or special pre-game preparation?
Oh yes, I am a music person. I always listen to music (R&B and hip hop/rap) before games and pray during the national anthem.

How did the opportunity to play in the WKBL come about? Was it somewhere you pursued to play professionally or did the WKBL reach out to you about playing in the league?
At the time I knew somebody who knew and introduced me to Woori Bank’s head coach Chun Joo-weon (전주원). They asked for my CV (Curriculum vitae) and invited me over for a test. They tested me and after two days I was successful, so they asked me if I wanted to join the team. No agents, no draft.

Were you playing in the WKBL as a “foreign” or “domestic” player?
I was playing there as an ethnic player.

During you time in the WKBL, did you meet any other half/mixed Koreans also playing in the WKBL?
Yes. I met a half Korean-half American player from another team but we didn’t have the chance to talk too much because of our busy schedules.

Overall, what was your experience like playing professionally in the WKBL?
In my opinion, it is a very tough league especially if you are not used to it. They have strict rules and a culture that you must follow and respect… But I had a lot of things to gain and to learn and I am grateful for having that opportunity.

When you first joined the WKBL, how was the reception from your teammates, coaches, opposing players, fans, etc? Was being “half Korean” ever brought up?
Everybody was very very nice with me, even now I keep in touch with my coaches and some of my teammates and fans. I consider them part of my family. It was still very hard for me because Korean culture is so different and strict. If you can’t adapt to it, you can’t live there. But I’m grateful that over the years, my mum showed and explained to me the other side of my culture and at the end of my journey there, it all turned out to be very good.

Were your parents and family supportive of your decision to play in the WKBL?
Yes, they were very supportive. I was actually meaning to go to college in US but chose to turn down the offer to go play in Korea. I wanted to reconnect with the Asian side of me, my Korean heritage.

What was it like to play in the WKBL in comparison with other pro leagues that you have played?
Like I said it’s a tough league. You need to be extremely fit physically as well as mentally. If you want to play in WKBL, you need to be sure to dedicate yourself 100%.

We understand that you are no longer playing in the WKBL. Was there any specific reason why you left the league and would you ever consider returning to the WKBL?
I had some personal issues in Romania so I had to come back and yes, I think in the nearest future I will return to play in the WKBL.

If you return to WKBL, would you have to be a free agent or would you have to go back to the same team?
I would have to go to the same team or I could wait three more years so I can be free agent.

We read online that there were some universities in the USA that were interested in you. Which schools recruited you?
I was very sure that I would go to University of Pittsburgh. I took all the exams, I talked to the head coach, she also came to see me in Romania but at the last minute I decided to go play in Korea.They were disappointed BY my decision but I chose to play in Korea because I had lived apart from my Korean family for many years and having this opportunity to play there it just made me reconsider my options.

You are currently part of the Romanian National Team. Had you ever considered trying to play for the Korean National Team?
I can’t join the Korean National Team because I already officially played for the Romanian National Team. I think there may be a way to do it, but you’d have to pay some fines or face some penalties.

Will you be playing for the Romanian National Team in the FIBA 2015 EuroBasket tournament this upcoming June?
I hope so! They will do the selection in March I think and hopefully I will be picked.

If you do get selected and since Romania is a co-host nation for tournament, do you feel any extra pressure to try to win and qualify for the 2016 Olympics?
There is pressure but we need to stay focused and do what we have to do and demonstrate that we can play very good against top countries.

How long have you been on the Romanian National Team?
It’s my second year with the Senior National Team and I’m maybe the second youngest player. I’m not a starter but I consider myself a valuable player who works hard to achieve his goals. I would definitely be an asset for the team.

Ultimately, what are some of your personal basketball career goals? Championships? Play in Olympics? Personal stats or accomplishments such as a league MVP?
Well, my main goal since I started playing basketball was to make it to WNBA. But now, I really want to make it to the big leagues, to play in EuroCup, to improve myself as a player (especially in defense/3-point shooting), to play as much as I can without injuries and to have people recognize me as a great player.

Would you consider playing in the WNBA if the opportunity came about?
Yes I would definitely take that opportunity.

What are your post-playing career plans? Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
After my basketball career I think I will start my own business, although not necessarily related to basketball… And probably in five years I will be still playing basketball.

Would you consider coaching/management, etc. post-playing career?
No, I don’t think so.

Random

What’s your current relationship status? Have you ever had any ethnic dating preferences?
I have been in a relationship for four years now. I don’t have any ethnic dating preferences.

What do you do to relax?
I like dancing, listening to music, reading and most of all I love photography and street-style.

I know that you are also active on social media and have your own blog. What inspires your blog writing/posts?
I like to share things that captivate me, inspire me or what I think is fashionable. To post quotes, pictures with me when I travel or when something really exciting happens in my life. Sometimes I just want to keep my followers and the people who support me and encourage me and helped me become who I am today, updated with my current state of mind. Show them my perspective of life and inspire them.

Anybody in particular you respect/look up to?
I look up to Tina Thompson, I met her in my first year at WKBL. She helped me a lot, motivating me and giving me good advice. She is a great player, a great mother and a great person.

And most of all, I look up to my mother. She is a powerful independent woman, who raised me and dedicated herself to my education. She always tried to show me the bright side of everything. I love her for being my friend, my sister, my mum.

How did you find out about HalfKorean.com and what did you think about HalfKorean.com when you first saw it?
I found it on Instagram and I was very surprised and happy to see that there is a half Korean community.

Any words that you would like to pass on to the mixed Korean community?
I think it’s something great to be recognized in two countries. You should feel unique, special because not a lot of people are blessed to be like us. Always be thankful and grateful to your parents.Be proud of who you are.

We want to thank Sonia for spending time with us for this interview and wish her much continued success. We’ll be crossing our fingers that she makes final selection for the Romanian National Team to play in the FIBA 2015 EuroBasket.

Make sure to follow Sonia on Tumblr, Facebook and Instagram.

Interview by: David Lee Sanders

Posted: 3/6/2015

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