The Malaysians, ranked 27 rungs below the Koreans, lost 14-21, 15-21 in 38 minutes.

Their defeat dashed hopes of an all-Malaysian final in the doubles event, in which defending champions and world No1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will play against Taiwan’s Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han in the other semi-final later today.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi had started their campaign in Tokyo with a shock win over their world No 2 compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the first round. They then defeated US pair Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith before upstaging China’s world No 6 duo Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang in the quarter-finals.

However, they could not match their opponents’ power and accuracy today, in their first encounter in an international meet.

Still, they can walk with their heads held high as this was their first semi-final appearance at a World Tour Super 750 event.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi won US$13,300 (RM56,500) as semi-finalists.