South Korean badminton players Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, the world No. 1 men’s doubles pair, are targeting redemption at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games following a sharp slump in international form. Having claimed 11 titles last season, the duo aims to restore their dominance and secure gold.
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The Anatomy of a Slump: From Record-Breaking Heights to the Round of 32
Last season, the partnership of Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae redefined elite men’s doubles. Alongside women’s singles star An Se-young, the duo captured a staggering 11 tournament victories in a single campaign, capped off by a stellar run at the World Championships. That momentum rolled straight into the early months of this calendar year, with successive trophies at the Malaysia Open, the All England Open, and the Asian Championships.
But the tape tells a different story of late. Following their triumph in April, the world No. 1 pair endured a six-tournament title drought. The nadir arrived at the BWF China Masters in Changzhou, where they suffered a straight-games defeat, 0–2 (19–21, 19–21), against Indonesia’s world No. 58 pair, Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin. According to tournament records, it marked their earliest exit in the round of 32 since forming their partnership in January of last year, excluding injury withdrawals.
Table: Season Trajectory Comparison
| Phase | Key Titles Won | Recent Form Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Last Season | 11 Titles ( incl. World Championships ) | Undisputed World No. 1 Ranking |
| Early 2026 | Malaysia Open, All England Open, Asian Championships | Sustained Elite Dominance |
| Mid-2026 Slump | 0 Titles in Last 6 International Outings | Round of 32 Exit at BWF China Masters |
Tactical Reset: Returning to Core Strengths
National team head coach Park Joo-bong addressed the squad’s uneven trajectory during the Badminton Korea Association Media Day held at the Jincheon National Training Center. While omitting specific names, Park noted that certain players’ forms had dipped slightly heading into the regional showcase.
“I know our recent form has not been good,” Seo Seung-jae explained to reporters during the open training session. “We tried many things while wondering how we could play better. Now we are focusing on the areas we do well in and preparing for the Asian Games.”
Kim Won-ho echoed that sentiment, pointing directly to tactical over-complication as the root cause of their recent vulnerabilities. “Because we tried to make up for our weaknesses during matches, it seems we lost some of the plays we used to do well,” Kim stated.
The Historical Weight of the Aichi-Nagoya Campaign
At the Hangzhou Asian Games three years ago, Seo claimed a bronze medal in the men’s team event, while Kim secured a bronze in the team event alongside a silver in men’s doubles. South Korea has not captured a men’s doubles badminton gold at the Asian Games since Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung stood atop the podium at the 2002 Busan Games.
With national expectations pinned on a three-gold haul across the badminton program, the pressure on the world No. 1 pair is absolute. “We have the goal of an Asian Games gold medal,” Seo affirmed. “I want to be thorough in preparation and the process during the remaining time and play on the court with no regrets.”
Kim struck an equally resolute tone regarding his physical fitness and mental readiness ahead of the opening fixtures. “Since the Asian Games is the biggest tournament of the year, I will be careful about injuries and do my best,” Kim added.
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