British newspaper The Guardian has declared the end of South Korea's Premier League era, contrasting it with Japan's rising influence. In an article published on August 31, the paper analyzed that the 21-year run of South Korean prominence, from Park Ji-sung to Son Heung-min, is drawing to a close.
With Son Heung-min moving to the United States and Hwang Hee-chan departing Wolverhampton following relegation, the upcoming season could mark the first time since 2005 without a single South Korean player in the Premier League. Young prospects like Yang Min-hyeok and Kim Ji-soo are on squad lists but are highly likely to be sent out on loan again. In contrast, Japan has seen Hidemasa Morita and Daizen Maeda secure spots with Premier League clubs, joining established regular Kaoru Mitoma at Brighton.
Why This Season is a Turning Point
The era of South Korean players in England's top flight, which gained momentum with Park Ji-sung's move to Manchester United after the 2002 World Cup, reached its peak with Son Heung-min. Son served as Tottenham Hotspur captain until last season, scoring over 160 goals and becoming a symbol of Korean football. His departure to the US and Hwang's exit have created a significant void. A look at our current squad page shows a potential shift in the composition of overseas-based players.
How World Cup Performances Highlighted the Divide
The Guardian pointed out that the contrasting fortunes were also reflected in World Cup performances. Japan proved its competitiveness with a strong showing against Brazil, while South Korea faced group-stage elimination and descended into chaos, prompting investigations into the football association and leadership resignations. As the 2026 World Cup in North America approaches, checking the standings for Asian qualifiers shows Japan sitting comfortably at the top of their group.
