[Anchor]

Women's basketball player Lee Hae-ran has emerged as the next-generation ace by leading the national team to a surprise gold medal at the Nagoya Asian Games. Now, she is determined to take on an even bigger challenge beyond Asia.

Reporter Hong Seok-jun has the story.

[Reporter]

Of all her unforgettable memories from Nagoya, Lee Hae-ran first recalled the moment she faced China's 2-meter-26-centimeter giant, Zhang Ziyu.

[Lee Hae-ran / National Basketball Team & Samsung Life Insurance : People on the bench kept telling me to "jump higher," so I did, but it was no use. Haha. When I couldn't stop her, I just found myself staring up at her without even realizing it.]

Overcoming height differences with her quick footwork, Lee poured in 22 points against China and another 24 points in the final against Japan, leading the team to its first gold medal in 12 years. Since returning home, she has been feeling the surge in her popularity.

[Lee Hae-ran / National Basketball Team & Samsung Life Insurance : I think I really got to savor the feeling that "we've finally made it" and that people are starting to learn a lot more about women's basketball.]

Having lost her father before she was even born, Lee feels an even deeper sense of gratitude toward her mother, a native of the Philippines who raised two children alone in an unfamiliar land.

[Lee Hae-ran / National Basketball Team & Samsung Life Insurance : She went through a lot. Watching my mom, I always thought, "I must succeed in the future so my mom can live comfortably and proudly."]

She expressed pride, noting that she has become a source of bragging rights for her maternal relatives living in the Philippines.

[Lee Hae-ran / National Basketball Team & Samsung Life Insurance : I think they felt proud wearing my clothes and team uniforms.]

As she prepares for the new season as the ace of Samsung Life Insurance, Lee talked about her bigger dreams.

[Lee Hae-ran/ National Basketball Team & Samsung Life Insurance : I really want to win the regular season MVP award, and the WNBA—it's always been on my mind, but now my determination has become firm.]

She left a promise to herself to become a proud daughter and the best player she can be.

[Lee Hae-ran / National Basketball Team & Samsung Life Insurance : I want to be remembered as someone who truly never knows how to give up, someone with immense fighting spirit.]

(Video by Hwang In-seok | Video Editing by Ha Seong-won | Design by Byeon Da-young)