"I Thought She Was AI, but She's a South Korean National Team Athlete"... Still Making Headlines After the Asian Games

Japanese Media Join Thailand and Taiwan in Spotlighting Her
Three Medals at International Competitions... Silver at Her First Asian Games

Although the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have come to a close, interest in South Korean national women's fencing team member Yang Seunghye has not waned. Yang, who drew attention for her striking beauty even before the competition, is emerging as a new fencing star after receiving a series of features in overseas media outlets in Thailand, Taiwan and Japan.

South Korean women's national fencing team member Yang Seunghye. Yang Seunghye's Instagram.

On October 11, Japanese sports outlet Koli reported that Yang had attracted attention from media across Asia before and during the Asian Games. The outlet said, "A 20-year-old member of South Korea's national women's fencing team, competing at the Asian Games, is making waves both on and off the field," adding, "Major Asian media outlets took note of her appearance even before the competition began."

Earlier, Thai sports outlet Thairath Sport also praised Yang, describing her as having "an unreal beauty, like a virtual character created by artificial intelligence (AI) or computer graphics," and calling her "almost perfectly beautiful."

Taiwanese outlets Zhongshi News Network and China Times also gave her extensive coverage, saying, "Yang Seunghye is not just exceptionally beautiful; she is an athlete with outstanding achievements and skills that can compete on the world's top stages."

Three Medals at International Competitions This Year...Proving Her Skills

Yang began fencing in middle school and has steadily developed her skills. In May, she won gold in the team event at the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Women's Epee World Cup in Saint-Maur, France. At the Asian Championships in June, she teamed up with Song Sera, Lim Taehee and Lee Hyein to defeat China 44-43 and win the title. She also won a team bronze medal at the World Championships in Hong Kong in July.

Yang Seunghye, a member of South Korea's national women's fencing team. Yang Seunghye's Instagram.

Yang competed at this Asian Games as the youngest member of the women's epee team. In the team semifinal held on September 25, South Korea defeated Singapore 45-35 to advance to the final, but lost to China 28-45 and had to settle for silver. South Korea also fell short of winning the title for a second consecutive Games.

China Ends South Korea's Bid for a Second Straight Title... "Silver Is a New Beginning"

In the final, Yang took part in the second round and faced China's Wu Sihan. She attacked aggressively and scored to put South Korea ahead 4-3, then raised the energy with a loud cheer. After scoring again to make it 7-5, she roared once more, showing her determination to win.

Yang and Wu each scored four points in that round, and South Korea carried a one-point lead into the next round. China took control of the match afterward, however, and South Korea was ultimately unable to close the gap.

After winning silver at her first Asian Games, Yang wrote on Instagram after the competition, "I think this silver medal is not the end, but the beginning of becoming a better athlete," adding, "I won't forget all the support and love I've received, and I'll work even harder from now on."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.