By Bayo Olupohunda,Ciku Njuguna
Copyright legit
Top South Korean soccer players include Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Ji So-yun, Kim Hye-ri, and Hwang In‑beom. This mix of the best male and female players is active in top-flight clubs in different leagues around the world. Today, South Korea’s football talent competes closely against their peers in various club and international competitions.
Key takeaways
The best male South Korean soccer players are considered to be Son Heung-min and Ballon d’Or nominee Kim Min-jae.Top-rated female soccer players in the country include Kim Min-jae, Kim Hye-ri, Jang Sel-gi, and Choo Hyo-joo.At 16, Casey Phair became the youngest player ever to play in a senior World Cup match.
Who are the best South Korean soccer players?
In compiling the list of the best South Korean soccer players, we used recorded player stats and achievements, acknowledging that rankings vary due to differences in competition levels, international and club success, as well as social influence and impact. This list was crafted with data and insights from trusted sources such as FIFA, Transfermarkt, and official team and league websites.
1. Son Heung-min
Full name: Son Heung-minDate of birth: 8 July 1992Age: 33 years as of 2025Place of birth: Chuncheon-si, South Korea
Son Heung-min is one of the most famous Korean soccer players and holds the most football trophies among Asian players. The forward who captains South Korea’s national football team has made three appearances in the World Cup, scoring three goals while at it.
He is the first and only Asian footballer to bag the English Premier League Golden Boot. Cumulatively, Son has made 656 career club appearances, scoring 239 goals with 117 assists. He has received 167 caps and has scored more than 60 goals at various age levels for the national team.
2. Kim Min-jae
Full name: Kim Min-jaeDate of birth: 15 November 1996Age: 28 years as of September 2025Place of birth: Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, South Korea
FC Bayern Munich’s defender, Kim Min-jae, is a celebrated centre back and one of the best players in Korean football. He won two South Korean Champion awards in 2016 and 2018.
His career highlights include winning the 2023 Serie A championship, and with it, he became the first Asian player to win the Serie A Defender of the Year. He also holds the honour of being the first footballer in the region to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
3. Ji So-yun
Full name: Ji So-yunDate of birth: 21 February 1991Age: 34 years as of 2025Place of birth: Seoul, South Korea
In addition to being South Korea’s all-time leading goalscorer and appearance-maker, she is the youngest goalscorer for the national football team. She is the first South Korean player in the FA Women’s Super League and the first non-British player to make 100 and 200 league appearances. Her accomplishments have earned her a spot on the shortlist for FIFA’s Best Women’s Footballer award.
4. Kim Hye-ri
Full name: Kim Hye-riDate of birth: 25 June 1990Age: 35 years as of 2025Place of birth: South Korea
South Korean football player Kim Hye-ri is a long-time captain for her national women’s football team, a team she has capped more than 130 times. According to FIFA, she also captained her former club, Incheon Hyundai Steel. In 2023, she led the Steel Red Angels to their 11th WK League title.
5. Hwang In‑beom
Full name: Hwang In‑beomDate of birth: 20 September 1996Age: 28 years as of 2025Place of birth: Daejeon, South Korea
South Korean defensive midfielder Hwang In‑beom plays in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie and his homeland. According to his Transfermarkt player profile, he has made 316 club career appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing 47 assists. He began representing his country at the age of 16 and has since received more than 80 caps.
6. Jang Sel-gi
Full name: Jang Sel-giDate of birth: 31 May 1994Age: 31 years as of 2025Place of birth: Incheon, South Korea
Jang Sel-gi is a defence specialist in South Korea’s Taegeuk Ladies and Gyeongju KHNP. Her youth career includes playing for her high school, Gangil High School, as well as South Korea’s Under-17 (2009–2010) and Under-20 (2011–2014) national teams.
She has also played for clubs such as INAC Kobe Leonessa and the Hyundai Steel Red Angels. In 2019, she became the first Korean football player to join the Spanish Primera División. In an interview held after she signed with Madrid CF Femenino, she acknowledged the weight of her position, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily.
I’ll try my best to pave the way for others to come to Spain. I am excited about the opportunity, but at the same time, I feel a sense of responsibility.
7. Choo Hyo-joo
Full name: Choo Hyo-jooDate of birth: 29 July 2000Age: 25 years as of 2025Place of birth: Busan, South Korea
Ottawa Rapid FC’s winger, Choo Hyo-joo, has primarily achieved recognition for her consistent performances at the club level and international competitions like the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She has played for Suwon FC, Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels, and the South Korea women’s national team. Hyo-joo has represented Korea in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2022 Asian Games, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
8. Lee Jae-sung
Full name: Lee Jae-sungDate of birth: 10 August 1992Age: 33 years as of 2025Place of birth: Ulsan, South Korea
Lee Jae-sung plays in the midfield position for 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga. He has also played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Holstein Kiel. Although he did not attend any youth football academies, he played and trained with the Ulsan Okdong Elementary School, Haksung Middle School, Haksung High School, and Korea University.
While at Kiel, he won the 2019/20 Goal of the Season, assisting the team to take home the DFB Cup. Today, he is hailed as Mainz’s midfield magician, playing in 136 matches, scoring 25 goals with 26 assists, and winning 17 tackles.
9. Lee Geum-min
Full name: Lee Geum-minDate of birth: 7 April 1994Age: 31 years as of 2025Place of birth: South Korea
At 21, Geum-min featured in her home team’s roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, bringing Korea to the knockout stage for the first time. At the time of this writing, she has received more than 50 caps for Korea, where she scored nearly 20 goals.
Her playing career includes spells at Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove Albion WFC, Manchester City, and Gyeongju KHNP. According to Football Reference, she started in 78 matches for Brighton and City, scoring 11 goals, one of which put her in the running for the 2020/21 Goal of the Season award.
10. Casey Phair
Full name: Casey Yu-jin PhairDate of birth: 29 June 2007Age: 18 years as of 2025Place of birth: South Korea
On 25 July 2023, Casey Phair became the youngest soccer player ever in a World Cup. She made her debut in the second half of South Korea’s match against Colombia. Other international appearances include the 2023 Under-17 Asian Cup, where she scored a brace, and the 2024 Women’s Under-17 World Cup.
Who are the most famous South Korean football players?
Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae are greatly admired by their international fans and their countrymen. Their fame stems from their performances in the English Premier League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga, as well as in international competitions such as the World Cup.
Who is the best women’s soccer player in Korea?
Ji So-yun is celebrated as a living legend in Korean football. Her influence can be seen through the national football team’s performance at the 2003 Women’s World Cup, 2010 Under-17 Women’s World Cup, and 2010 Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
The best South Korean soccer players, such as Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Kim Hye-ri and Ji So-yun, are high-performing national team players. The country continues to produce top-rated football players who have recorded club and international success across various leagues and competitions.
Legit.ng has recently published an article listing the top Asian football players making waves in the sport. The region is well represented with male and female players who have become key players in European and American soccer leagues.
Through sheer effort, players such as Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Abdukodir Khusanov have confirmed Asia’s status as a growing force in global football. Read on to find out more about the most talented players from the region.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
