The South Korean national football team may have stumbled on its way to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, and South Korean clubs may have struggled in the AFC Champions League, but three of the country's biggest stars have found success in Europe.
Kim Min-jae helped German giants Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga title, the 28-year-old defender's second major trophy in Europe after winning the Italian league title with Napoli two years ago.
While Kim has won two European titles, Son Heung-min is the most prominent star in Korean football. The 32-year-old striker has yet to win a major trophy. That could change next week as the Tottenham captain prepares to lead his London club in the Europa League final against Premier League rivals Manchester United.
"To complete the puzzle, we need every piece in the end," Son, who joined Tottenham in 2015, told South Korean media in London on Monday. "I think the last, most important piece is still missing. I think I've been striving to complete this piece for 10 years. I hope I can complete this puzzle this time."
Son was part of the Tottenham team that lost the 2019 Champions League final to Liverpool. Now, as a veteran, he is determined to end a difficult season for his club, as Tottenham currently sits 17th out of 20 teams in the English Premier League.
Son said: "I think this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it may never happen again. I hope I don't regret it afterwards. When I return to Korea after the season, I want to put a smile on the faces of my Korean fans and the Tottenham fans."
Son returned to action last weekend after an injury layoff, but is set to start against Manchester United, while Lee Kang-in is not.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has struggled for game time for Paris Saint-Germain recently, making 11 appearances in the Champions League this season and coming off the bench for the French club's semi-final win over Arsenal to set up a final against Inter Milan on May 31 in Munich.
This match will mark the end of the European season and the beginning of transfer speculation, which will see Lee's name linked to other European clubs, as well as Kim, whose season with Munich has been affected by injuries.
"I want to continue playing for Munich," Kim said last month. "There's no reason for me to leave this team. I love playing for Munich, and I want to continue with this team next season. It's important for me now."
It remains to be seen where the three biggest stars in Korean football will be in August, but the focus is now on winning three European club football trophies and providing some good news for fans in Korea.
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