Everyone FIFA spoke to before interviewing Korea Republic international Shin Nayeong said the same thing: “She has such a bright personality.”
Now in her second season in the United States, Shin has carved out a unique path in Korean women’s football. While many Korean players move overseas after establishing themselves with the national team, Shin did things the other way around and only earned her first senior international call-up after proving herself abroad, having joined Lexington SC of the USL Super League in 2024 and then Brooklyn FC.
Primarily a centre-back, Shin is also capable of playing as a full-back or defensive midfielder. Such versatility has made her an important option for Korea Republic coach Shin Sangwoo, who is overseeing a generational transition within the national team. In March, she helped the side secure qualification for the through the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
Before gaining further international experience at the tournament in Brazil in April, Shin reflected on life in the national team, the differences between football in the United States and Korea Republic, her life as a New Yorker and the responsibility that comes with representing her country.
Shin Nayeong: One thing I noticed immediately against Brazil was how similar they were to the American players I face every week. One mistake can quickly turn into a goal at that level. That experience reinforced the idea that, as a defender, you cannot afford to switch off for a second. One error can change everything. To compete with teams of that calibre, I realised our defensive organisation and our individual defending still need to keep improving.
In the United States, the emphasis is less on individual marking, as the back four push up very aggressively and compactly. Because of that, long balls often become an effective attacking weapon. Teams play direct and then chase the second ball. In Korea, I was often instructed to maintain a fixed distance from the player I was marking. Here, coaches tell you to leave space and then react when the ball comes over the top. The idea is to give your team time to get organised before engaging. The approaches are very different.
He oversees both the men’s and women’s teams at our club. He’s a very famous figure in our game. He comes to training sometimes, and when he heard about my call-up to the national team, he called me over personally. He congratulated me and told me he hoped everything would go well.
One thing I’ve realised is just how seriously Americans take sport. New York is such a densely populated city and people are incredibly passionate. If there is a major sporting event on a given day, the whole city seems to come alive. The traffic becomes unbelievable because so many people head to the stadiums. Because of our home matches, I spend a lot of time in Brooklyn. Whenever I feel frustrated after a game or simply want to get out and clear my head, I go to the DUMBO area and look at the Brooklyn Bridge. I always think it looks most beautiful in the evening.
To be honest, I always felt far removed from the national team. Usually, the players who move abroad are already internationals with established reputations. I wanted to be one of the first players to go overseas without that background and challenge myself. I hoped it might inspire other players too. I was convinced that even if I eventually returned to Korea, the experience abroad would help me grow as a player.
The club director was actually the first person to tell me. Even then, it didn’t feel real until the official squad list came out. When I finally saw my name there, I felt as though a whole new path had opened up in front of me.
I had already been speaking with Ji Soyun before I left for America. She kept telling me to take on the challenge and that I was capable of succeeding. When I was younger, she was one of the players who inspired my dreams. She has experienced both the highest and the lowest moments of a football career. That’s why she can see things that I cannot always see myself and why her advice means so much to me.
During that tournament, we really tried to build something together rather than think individually. Ji Soyun wanted to look after everyone, including the players who were not getting minutes on the pitch. She took the initiative and helped create a positive attitude throughout the group. That motivated me as well. I think that collective spirit helped us produce better performances throughout the competition.
When I moved from Korea to the United States, so many people supported me. They continue to support me now. Living alone in America and adapting to a new team was not easy. There were many difficult stages along the way. But thanks to all that support, I’ve been able to keep going and continue developing. I’m truly grateful. I’ll keep working hard so that I can repay everyone who has supported me.
Sources: FIFA Official
