End of an era? South Korea’s sun sets in the Premier League but Japan rise
The article discusses the decline of South Korean football presence in the English Premier League following the departure of star players like Son Heung-min. It highlights the shift in talent focus toward other nations and the challenges currently facing the South Korean football association.
Why it matters
It marks a significant cultural and sporting shift in the Premier League, which has relied on South Korean stars for international engagement and commercial growth since 2005.
Son Heung-min left Spurs for Los Angeles in 2025 after a long successful spell in the Premier League. Son Heung-min left Spurs for Los Angeles in 2025 after a long successful spell in the Premier League. Japan End of an era? South Korea’s sun sets in the Premier League but Japan rise After glory days of Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min, the new season could be Korean-free for first time since 2005
Prefer the Guardian on Google I t has been a cruel summer for South Korea. The national team crashed and burned at the World Cup, the police are investigating the football association, reports have emerged about bribes paid to foreign referees in 2011 and 2012 and there is a real prospect of the English Premier League being Korean-free for the first time since 2005.
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