A MODERN
BIOGRAPHY ARCHIVE
THE COLLECTION / SportsARCHIVE № 115
1991 —   FOOTBALLER

JISO-YUN

Feb 21, 1991South Korea

What happened at what age?
Where were they at your age?

The year she turned 15, she made her senior international debut for South Korea at the Peace Queen Cup. She is the youngest player ever called up to the national team. In July 2009, she scored two goals in the Summer Universiade final against Japan and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. In August, her winner in the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship semifinal against China in Wuhan secured a place at the following year’s U-20 World Cup in Germany.

The breakthrough yearThe year she turned 19, she scored eight goals at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany, led South Korea to third place and received the Silver Ball and the Silver Shoe. It was the first time South Korean football had finished third at a FIFA tournament. That November, she won bronze at the Guangzhou Asian Games, and in December she joined INAC Kobe in Japan and was named the Korea Football Association’s women’s Player of the Year.

By 2013, she had helped INAC Kobe Leonessa win three straight Nadeshiko League and Empress’s Cup titles. In 2014, she joined Chelsea Women in England and became the first Korean woman to play in the Women’s Super League (WSL).

In June 2015, she was named in the squad for the Women’s World Cup in Canada, and in August she scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Notts County at Wembley Stadium, giving Chelsea their first FA Cup. She became the first Korean to score at Wembley.

In 2018, she played in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup match against Australia for her 100th cap and joined the Century Club. She is the fourth Korean woman to do so, after Kwon Hah-nul, Kim Jung-mi and Cho So-hyun. In 2019, she started the Women’s World Cup group-stage match against Norway in France.

In 2021, she became co-president of the Korea Professional Footballers’ Association with Lee Keun-ho. In December 2020 she had become the first foreign player to make 100 appearances in the WSL. In May, she was part of Chelsea’s second straight WSL title and started the Champions League final, but Chelsea lost 4-0 to Barcelona and finished as runners-up. In 2022, she scored a penalty in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final against China, raising South Korea’s women’s record to 64 goals, but the team lost 3-2. In May, she returned from England and joined Suwon FC Women of the domestic WK League.

In 2023, she scored a free-kick equalizer in the WK League championship final but finished as runners-up, and at the awards she was named best midfielder for a second straight year. In 2024, she moved to Seattle Reign FC in the United States, and in November, as president of the players’ association, she pointed to poor conditions at domestic women’s tournaments.

In July 2025, she scored the winning penalty against Taiwan in the EAFF E-1 Championship and lifted an international trophy in her 20th year with the national team. In September, she was loaned to Birmingham City in England. In January 2026, she rejoined Suwon FC Women, and in March she scored the opening goal as Suwon FC Women beat the previous champions, Wuhan Jiangda, 4-0 in the AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinal. In the May semifinal, she missed a penalty in a comeback loss to North Korea’s Naegohyang, and in August a dispute arose over a referee’s remark during a match. In September, she scored her 76th senior international goal against Bangladesh in the Asian Games group stage, and South Korea drew 1-1 with North Korea.

Ji So-yun (born Feb 21, 1991) made her senior international debut for South Korea at the Peace Queen Cup in 2006, the year she turned 15, and became known in 2010, the year she turned 19, when South Korea finished third at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and she won the Silver Ball. She joined Chelsea Women in England in 2014, the year she turned 23.

Ages are by calendar year (the year minus the birth year), birthdays aside.

Full timeline · 30 records2006 — 2026   ＋
AGE / YEAR

  1. 15 · 2006
  2. 18 · 2009
  3. 18 · 2009
    Tournament

    Winner in the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship semifinal

    In the semifinal against China in Wuhan, China, ran in with the ball alone in the 38th minute of the second half and scored the winner with a right-footed shot for a 1-0 win. The result secured a place at the following year’s U-20 World Cup in Germany, which went to the top three.

    Source 04 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · AFC U-19 semifinal winner · opens in a new tabSource 05 · Segye Ilbo (Korean) · The same match · opens in a new tab
  4. 19 · 2010
  5. 19 · 2010
  6. 19 · 2010
  7. 22 · 2013
  8. 23 · 2014
  9. 24 · 2015
  10. 24 · 2015
    Title

    FA Cup final winner, Chelsea’s first title

    Scored the winner in the 37th minute of the first half in the FA Cup final against Notts County at Wembley Stadium in London, giving Chelsea their first FA Cup. She became the first Korean to score at Wembley.

    Source 18 · Seoul Economic Daily (Korean) · Wembley winner · opens in a new tabSource 19 · Money Today (Korean) · Chelsea’s first FA Cup title · opens in a new tabSource 20 · Sports Kyunghyang (Korean) · FA Cup final goal in the 37th minute · opens in a new tabSource 21 · Kukmin Ilbo (Korean) · On the cover of The Sunday Times · opens in a new tab
  11. 27 · 2018
  12. 28 · 2019
  13. 30 · 2021
  14. 30 · 2021
  15. 30 · 2021
  16. 31 · 2022
  17. 31 · 2022
  18. 32 · 2023
  19. 32 · 2023
  20. 33 · 2024
  21. 33 · 2024
    Players’ association

    Speaks out on conditions as players’ association president

    In a Yonhap interview as president of the players’ association, she pointed to domestic women’s tournaments where players change clothes in restrooms or tents for lack of locker rooms, and said it would cause an uproar abroad.

    Source 32 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Interview with the players’ association president · opens in a new tabSource 33 · Chosun Ilbo (Korean) · The same remarks · opens in a new tab
  22. 34 · 2025
  23. 34 · 2025
  24. 35 · 2026
  25. 35 · 2026
  26. 35 · 2026
  27. 35 · 2026
    Dispute

    Dispute over a referee’s remark

    Was given a warning for protesting a decision during a WK League home match against Seoul City Hall, and claimed that the referee’s radio remark during the exchange linked her protest to menstruation. The Korea Football Association’s referee department said the remark was not aimed at her but acknowledged unnecessary words and conduct.

    Source 37 · Asia Economy (Korean) · Controversy over a referee’s remark · opens in a new tabSource 38 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Players’ association files a protest · opens in a new tabSource 39 · Women News (Korean) · Details of the referee remark controversy · opens in a new tab
  28. 35 · 2026
  29. 35 · 2026
    Match

    Draws with North Korea in the Asian Games group stage

    Drew 1-1 with North Korea in the final group match in Shizuoka, Japan. South Korea’s head-to-head record in women’s football became 1 win, 5 draws and 16 losses, and its winless run since 2005 grew to 15 matches.

    Source 41 · Newsis (Korean) · Draw with North Korea at the Nagoya Asian Games · opens in a new tabSource 42 · Kukmin Ilbo (Korean) · Ties the Asian Games appearance record · opens in a new tab It was her sixth Asian Games, which, with Lee Bo-na, is the most by a Korean woman.

END OF SELECTED RECORDSSelected records, 2006–2026 · not a complete list of work. “Key moment” is an editorial label, not a measure of success.

02 / QUICK ANSWERS

Q & AFrequently asked

How old was Ji So-yun when she debuted?
In 2006, the year she turned 15, she made her senior international debut at the Peace Queen Cup. She is the youngest player ever called up to the national team.
How old was Ji So-yun when she became famous?
In 2010, the year she turned 19, she scored eight goals at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany, led South Korea to third place and received the Silver Ball and the Silver Shoe. It was the first time South Korean football had finished third at a FIFA tournament.
How many goals has Ji So-yun scored for South Korea?
Her penalty in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup final set South Korea’s women’s record, and as of Sep 17, 2026 she had 76 goals in 178 senior internationals.
What did Ji So-yun win at Chelsea?
She played there from 2014 to 2022, scored the winner in Chelsea’s first FA Cup final win in 2015, and was part of the team that won a second straight WSL title in 2021.
How old is Ji So-yun?
Born in 1991, she turns 35 in 2026 (35 as of Sep 22, 2026).
04 / ABOUT THE ARCHIVE

A LIFE,
IN CHAPTERS.

What did they do, and at what age?
AgeTrail lines up the key moments of a life by age.
Debut and breakthrough are marked separately, and every record has a source.

COLLECTION115Ji So-yun / JI SO-YUN

Sports · South Korea
Feb 21, 1991 —

Sources and method44 SOURCES   ＋

Ages are counted from the birth year 1991: the year of the event minus 1991, birthdays aside. “Key moment” labels and the connecting story are AgeTrail's editorial reading.

  1. MBC (Korean) · Century Club interview ↗April 8, 2018. Made her senior international debut at the Peace Queen Cup in October 2006, at 15; joined the Century Club (fourth ever) with the match against Australia in Amman, Jordan that day, 100 caps and 45 goals
  2. Newsis (Korean) · Joins Suwon FC Women (2022) ↗May 24, 2022. Youngest national team call-up ever, in 2006 at 15; returned from England and joined a WK League club for the first time
  3. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Universiade MVP returns home ↗Reported July 13, 2009. Her plans as told on the 13th after returning home; two goals in the 4-1 win over Japan in the Summer Universiade final in Belgrade and the MVP award; then 18 and a first-year student at Hanyang Women’s University
  4. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · AFC U-19 semifinal winner ↗Semifinal against China at Hankou Stadium in Wuhan: her goal in the 38th minute of the second half made it 1-0 and secured a place at the following year’s U-20 World Cup in Germany, given to the top three
  5. Segye Ilbo (Korean) · The same match ↗Aug. 10, 2009. 1-0 win over China on her goal in the 38th minute of the second half, qualifying for the U-20 World Cup in Germany
  6. MBC (Korean) · U-20 World Cup third-place match ↗Reported Aug. 2, 2010. Scored the winner, her eighth goal of the tournament, in the fourth minute of the second half against Colombia in the third-place match; third place. Says it was South Korea’s best result at a FIFA tournament
  7. Kangwon Ilbo (Korean) · Silver Ball and Silver Shoe ↗Aug. 3, 2010. Silver Shoe for eight goals and Silver Ball as the tournament’s second-best player. Mentions her senior debut at 15 and her record as the youngest scorer
  8. Newsis (Korean) · The “Ji-Messi” nickname ↗Nov. 30, 2010. Says third place at a FIFA tournament was a first in South Korean football history; explains the nickname “Ji-Messi,” after Lionel Messi
  9. Money Today (Korean) · Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medal ↗Nov. 22, 2010. Bronze with a 2-0 win over China in the third-place match
  10. Kangwon Ilbo (Korean) · Talks with INAC Kobe ↗Nov. 30, 2010. Reports that Ji, then 19 and at Hanyang Women’s University, had been in talks with INAC Kobe since just before the Guangzhou Asian Games opened
  11. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · INAC Kobe signing ceremony ↗Dec. 14, 2010, at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. At 19, she joined INAC Kobe with Kwon Eun-som
  12. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · KFA Player of the Year (2010) ↗Dec. 23, 2010. At 19, chosen over Yeo Min-ji (103.6 points) with 106.4 points for her eight goals and third place at the U-20 World Cup
  13. OhmyNews (Korean) · Ji So-yun’s next goal ↗Aug. 5, 2025. Lists her eight Korea Football Association Women’s Player of the Year awards (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024) and her 2006 record as the youngest national team player, men or women
  14. Wikipedia (Korean) · Ji So-yun ↗Basis for the birthday (Feb. 21) and for INAC Kobe Leonessa’s three straight Nadeshiko League and Empress’s Cup titles in 2011–2013, which could not be confirmed in news reports
  15. Wikipedia (English) · Ji So-yun ↗Basis for the timing of overseas moves that could not be confirmed in news reports: Seattle Reign FC (January 2024) and the loan to Birmingham City W.F.C. (September 2025)
  16. Money Today (Korean) · Move to Chelsea Ladies ↗Jan. 28, 2014. At 23; Chelsea’s announcement: made her national team debut at 15, 55 caps and 26 goals, the “Messi of women’s football”
  17. Women News (Korean) · Rejoins Suwon FC Women (2026) ↗Jan. 6, 2026. At 34; her 2022–23 spell at Suwon FC; joined Chelsea in 2014 as the first Korean woman in the WSL; after Chelsea, played for Seattle Reign FC and Birmingham City W.F.C. before returning to Suwon
  18. Seoul Economic Daily (Korean) · Wembley winner ↗Aug. 2, 2015. First Korean to score at Wembley Stadium; British media called her the “Korean Messi”
  19. Money Today (Korean) · Chelsea’s first FA Cup title ↗Aug. 2, 2015. Her winning goal gave Chelsea Ladies their first FA Cup
  20. Sports Kyunghyang (Korean) · FA Cup final goal in the 37th minute ↗Aug. 3, 2015. Winner in the 37th minute of the first half against Notts County at Wembley Stadium on Aug. 1 (local time)
  21. Kukmin Ilbo (Korean) · On the cover of The Sunday Times ↗Aug. 3, 2015. The Sunday Times’ account of Chelsea making history, and its description of her as a “little magician”
  22. Yonhap News TV (Korean) · 2015 World Cup provisional squad ↗April 30, 2015. Included in the 26-player provisional squad for the Women’s World Cup in Canada in June
  23. MBC (Korean) · Ahead of the Century Club milestone ↗April 4, 2018. 99 senior caps; her 100th was due in the match against Australia on the 8th
  24. Maeil Shinmun (Korean) · 2019 Women’s World Cup against Norway ↗June 18, 2019. 2-1 loss to Norway in the group stage of the Women’s World Cup in France; Ji started
  25. Women News (Korean) · Chelsea win a second straight WSL title ↗May 10, 2021. On May 9 (local time) Chelsea clinched the title with 18 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss; Ji started and played 58 minutes
  26. Newsis (Korean) · Runner-up in the UWCL final ↗May 17, 2021. On May 16 (local time) in Gothenburg, Sweden, Ji started for Chelsea in a 4-0 loss to Barcelona
  27. Star News (Korean) · Co-president of the players’ association ↗March 16, 2021. Named co-president with Lee Keun-ho; in December 2020 became the first foreign player to make 100 WSL appearances
  28. News1 (Korean) · Penalty in the 2022 Asian Cup final ↗Feb. 6, 2022. Scored a penalty in the 45th minute at D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India, for her 64th goal, before a 3-2 comeback loss to China
  29. Ilgan Sports (Korean) · 2022 Asian Cup runner-up ↗Feb. 6, 2022. Her penalty broke the Korean record of 64 senior international goals
  30. News1 (Korean) · Free-kick equalizer in the WK League final ↗Nov. 19, 2023. Her free kick equalized in the first leg of the championship final against Incheon Hyundai Steel at Suwon Sports Complex
  31. Kangwon Ilbo (Korean) · WK League awards (2023) ↗Dec. 14, 2023. Ji named best midfielder for a second straight year; Hyundai Steel won an 11th straight title
  32. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Interview with the players’ association president ↗Reported Nov. 13, 2024, interview held on the 11th in Seocho-gu, Seoul. With Seattle Reign; pointed to poor conditions such as the lack of changing rooms at domestic tournaments
  33. Chosun Ilbo (Korean) · The same remarks ↗Reported Nov. 13, 2024. Says she spoke to Yonhap on the 11th; Ji, 33, at Seattle Reign; her criticism of “changing in tents”; INAC Kobe in 2011 and eight years at Chelsea from 2014
  34. OhmyNews (Korean) · EAFF E-1 Championship winner ↗July 18, 2025. On July 16 at Suwon World Cup Stadium, a penalty in the 25th minute of the second half against Taiwan secured a 2-0 win and the title; her second international title after the 2009 Universiade; 20 years since her national team debut
  35. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · AWCL quarterfinal against Wuhan Jiangda ↗May 18, 2026. In March in Wuhan, China, beat Wuhan Jiangda 4-0 in the quarterfinal, with Ji’s opening goal and Kim Hye-ri’s late goal, on the home ground of the 2024–25 inaugural champions
  36. Newsis (Korean) · Missed penalty in the AWCL semifinal ↗May 20, 2026. At Suwon Sports Complex, missed an equalizing penalty in the 34th minute of the second half of the semifinal against North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s Football Club, a 2-1 comeback loss. The article also says the quarterfinal against Wuhan Jiangda (4-0) was on March 30
  37. Asia Economy (Korean) · Controversy over a referee’s remark ↗Aug. 29, 2026. On Aug. 28 at Suwon Sports Complex against Seoul City Hall, the match was stopped for four minutes as she protested a remark by the referee
  38. Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Players’ association files a protest ↗Aug. 31, 2026. Co-president Lee Keun-ho called for severe disciplinary action against the referee
  39. Women News (Korean) · Details of the referee remark controversy ↗Aug. 30, 2026. The Korea Football Association’s referee department denied that the remark was aimed at Ji but acknowledged unnecessary words and conduct
  40. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · 76th goal against Bangladesh ↗Sept. 17, 2026. At Nagai Stadium in Osaka, in a 6-0 group F win, Ji’s goal in the 32nd minute of the second half was her 76th in her 178th senior international. The Sept. 14 opener against Myanmar was 5-0
  41. Newsis (Korean) · Draw with North Korea at the Nagoya Asian Games ↗Sept. 21, 2026. 1-1 with North Korea in the final group match at Shizuoka Ecopa, making the head-to-head record in women’s football 1 win, 5 draws and 16 losses
  42. Kukmin Ilbo (Korean) · Ties the Asian Games appearance record ↗Sept. 16, 2026. Says Ji and Lee Bo-na share the women’s record of a sixth Asian Games
  43. Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Universiade final win ↗July 11, 2009. In the early hours of the 11th (Korean time) at FC Partizan Stadium in Belgrade, Ji and Jeon Ga-eul scored two goals each in a 4-1 win over Japan, the first Universiade gold in the sport
  44. Kangwon Ilbo (Korean) · Guangzhou Asian Games third-place match ↗Afternoon of Nov. 22, 2010 (Korean time) at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou: 2-0 win over China in the third-place match, with goals by Park Hee-young in the 2nd minute and Ji in the 37th. South Korea’s first Asian Games medal in women’s football since it became an official event in 1990

Fact-checked: 2026.09.22 · An independent archive, not affiliated with the person or their agency.