Korean exports to Spain uncommon

Lee Seung-woo, a member of Barcelona’s B team, gestures during a friendly match between Barcelona’s under-15 team and Boin High School played on Feb. 4. Yonhap

By John Duerden

It is only 10 years since Park Ji-sung moved to Manchester United to become the first South Korean to play in England's top tier. There have been 12 others since. None have been as successful as the man who won four Premier League titles but some, like Ki Seung-yueng, did pretty well. Some, such as Park Chu-young, had no impact, while others, like Seol Ki-hyeon, were somewhere in between.

For Korean fans, Saturday nights, or Sunday mornings, have become a time to sit around televisions to watch their compatriots shine, star or struggle in the world's most popular league. Many believe Spain's La Liga is the best but, as of yet, no Korean player has done much of note.

Korean exports to Spain, widely regarded as the other of the top two leagues in the world, have been much less common. Lee Chun-soo headed to Real Sociedad in 2003 after the 2002 World Cup when the winger was part of the team that reached the semi-final. He struggled to make his mark in northern Spain and was lent to Numancia, where he also failed to impress. In 2012, Park Chu-young was lent by English club Arsenal to Celta Vigo and, despite a decent start in Galicia, did not impress. When his loan period expired, he was sent back to London.

In the past three or four years, Korean players have been heading to Germany in increasing numbers and Spain has been forgotten. When it becomes time for the next big thing to head west from the K-League, then La Liga is rarely mentioned.

It is just assumed that Korean players do not go to Spain and that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. People think Korean players do not go to Spain so none end up going to Spain. When there is talk in the media about where the next big K-League star should go next, La Liga is not mentioned. It is England or Germany. Their agents do not have the same contacts with those in Madrid and Barcelona.

The English Premier League is much more popular, though this has, of course, been helped by the presence of Korean players over the years. England is just easier. There have been few players who have spoken of their Spanish dreams. Lee Chung-yong was one. Back when the winger was with FC Seoul, he talked of going to La Liga before signing for Bolton Wanderers, then in the English Premier League.

So the opposite perception exists. Korean players are suited to the more direct, physical, aggressive and faster English game and there is a network of agents that can take their players to England easily and clubs are perhaps more receptive as they have seen Korean players already succeed. There are role models and examples to follow in England but not in Spain.

Things could change and it may come from the kids. Lee Seung-woo is a member of Barcelona's B team and soon turns 18. Paik Seung-ho is also on the books of the European champion. There is a lot of excitement in both countries that the teenagers could have a great future. If they end up playing for the club, perhaps the biggest in the world, it will announce the arrival of Korean stars in Spain in a big way. And then more should follow.