The upcoming season threatens to mark the first Korean-free Premier League campaign since 2005, ending nearly two decades of continuous representation. The departure would close a chapter that began when Park Ji-sung joined Manchester United, followed by Son Heung-min's 2015 arrival at Tottenham. South Korea's dominance in England's top division coincided with struggles at home, including a World Cup collapse and investigations into the football association.
Japan is meanwhile expanding its presence in the Premier League, reversing the regional power dynamics. The shift reflects broader changes in Asian football representation across European elite competitions.
