Jamwaktu.com – South Korean men’s doubles duo Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae had a remarkable season on the 2025 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour calendar, winning 11 titles, including a victory at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China. This achievement confirmed their dominance as the world’s number one pair and became one of the most inspiring stories in badminton this year.
South Korea’s dominance was further enhanced after their team swept the podium in three women’s singles events through An Se-young, women’s doubles, and men’s doubles events through Kim/Seo. The men’s doubles victory over the host team in straight games, 21-18, 21-14, marked Kim/Seo’s 11th title of the season and cemented their position as one of the most prolific pairs of the year.
However, despite these records, Kim/Seo’s journey has not always been smooth. Several sources within the Korean team revealed that the pair had been under incredibly high mental and physical pressure, leading to speculation that they were considering not competing or even taking the entire season off before the World Tour Finals. The pressure of a packed match schedule, the high expectations as top seeds, and the challenges of strong rivals combined to almost make them question their continued competition this season.
According to sources close to the coaching team, Kim/Seo experienced burnout mid-season after winning several major tournaments such as the Korea Open and various other Super 750/Super 1000 events. Despite this, the pair chose to fight through this difficult period with their coach, focusing on a quick recovery and a more cautious competition strategy to avoid serious injuries that could sideline them for a long time the following year.
Seo Seung-jae also claimed additional individual titles, including a world title at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris, which placed additional pressure on maintaining consistent performance while juggling both teamwork and individual achievements. However, their technical expertise, teamwork, and meticulous energy management kept them at their peak when needed in the most prestigious events like the World Tour Finals.
Speculation about a possible season hiatus also arose due to the long break in the calendar after the World Tour Finals. Many badminton observers believed that the pair, who had played for most of the year, would likely take time off to fully recover, especially ahead of the upcoming season, which is expected to be even more packed with the 2028 Olympics and other major tournaments.
Despite the pressure, their record on the 2025 BWF World Tour remains phenomenal. The pair not only dominated several Super 1000 and Super 750 tournaments, but also consistently won against top opponents from various countries, including several pairs from China and Indonesia who were tough competitors throughout the season.
One key moment that exemplified Kim/Seo’s champion mentality was their dominant performance in the World Tour Finals semifinals against the Indonesian pair, who, despite being in top form, were unable to withstand the pressure of Kim/Seo’s aggressive play. This victory served as a stepping stone to the title in the final and capped a remarkable season.
Fans around the world have had mixed reactions to this stellar season. On social media, many have praised Kim/Seo’s hard work, consistency, and their ever-evolving game strategy from tournament to tournament. Meanwhile, speculation and discussion about an extended break or a possible season-long absence remain hotly debated in the global badminton community, as many believe the pair can return to dominance if they make wise decisions about their schedule and energy management.
Now, after finishing the 2025 season on a high note, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae are focused on resting and evaluating their performance to prepare for the new challenges of the coming season. While speculation about their absence persists, the history they have made this year serves as a powerful reminder that dedication and a winning mentality can overcome any obstacle, and fans’ anticipation for the next season certainly begins now.
