As the first Asian female to win a WSOP bracelet, South Korea’s Jiyoung Kim is an undeniable force in the poker world. Her WSOP bracelet victory in the Ladies Championship event at Las Vegas also marked her biggest live cash of USD 167,308. Previously, the small coffee shop owner hadn’t cashed in Las Vegas and had only played part-time.

WSOP 2019: Chidwick and Schwartz claim Gold as Jiyoung Kim wins bracelet for Korea

Leading up to her big win, Kim participated in APT Cebu and Manila in the Philippines and the PokerStars Championship and APT in Macau. Her second-biggest cash prize occurred at APT Cebu in 2016, when she placed second in the Main Event and took home PHP 1,044,000 (USD 21,939).

Since her WSOP bracelet win, Jiyoung Kim’s success has transcended borders. She made her first-time appearances in Phnom Penh, earning USD 13,146 for her ninth-place win in the Main Event, and in Melbourne, taking home a prize fund of AUD 9,700 (USD 6,683). Her achievements have not only brought her significant cash prizes but also international recognition.

Kim returned to Las Vegas in 2021 and 2023 for WSOP, the Venetian DeepStack Championship Poker Series, and the Wynn Summer Classic. She made her Vietnamese debut at USOP Da Nang, where she cashed VND 382,600,000 (USD 15,691).

As it stands, Kim has a healthy total live earnings record of USD 330,235.

*Profile by Zoe Alcazaren

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