How Bae Jun-ho went from K League 2 to Stoke City's 'South Korean King'

How did the 20-year-old go from a bit part in a mid-table Korean team to the pride of a club with 161 years of history in England’s second tier?

Stoke City's Bae Jun-ho was named the Potters' Player of the Season after his debut campaign in Europe. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Bae Jun-ho, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder for Championship side Stoke City, was named the fan-picked Player of the Season over the weekend as the club won their final match of the 2023-24 campaign to finish in 17th place and avoid relegation.

“The 20-year-old has become a firm fans’ [favorite] during his debut campaign in red and white following his cross-continent move from Daejeon Hana Citizen,” according to a news release by Stoke City on Saturday.

Bae joined the club last August as a relative unknown, with just 17 K League 1 appearances and two goals to his name.

In his first year at Stoke, Bae racked up two goals and six assists, along with 2,553 minutes of playing time across all leagues, to become a key fixture in the midfield and a recipient of praise from both fans and Stoke boss Steven Schumacher.

How did the 20-year-old go from a bit part in a mid-table Korean team to the pride of a club with 161 years of history in England’s second tier?

An ‘emerging talent’

Bae’s transfer to Stoke from Daejeon was officially announced on Aug. 31, 2023 on a four-year deal worth a reported 2 million pounds ($2.5 million).

“Junho is an emerging talent who caught the eye of our recruitment team during the U20 World Cup in Argentina this summer,” Ricky Martin, the club’s technical director, said in the announcement.

Korea finished fourth at the 2023 U-20 World Cup, riding an undefeated run to the semifinals. Bae scored a goal in Korea’s 3-2 round of 16 win over Ecuador and recorded three assists over six appearances.

Bae Jun-ho departs from Incheon International Airport in Incheon on Aug. 28, 2023 to complete his signing with Stoke City. [YONHAP]

Bae left Daejeon to join Stoke with three months to go in the 2023 K League 1 season — their first in the top tier after Bae was part of the squad that saw them promoted to end seven years in the K League 2.

‘We need somebody in the team who is going to catch fire’

Bae made his debut with Stoke just days after, playing the last 20 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Preston and played mostly as a sub for his first few months in England.

Stoke City's Bae Jun-ho, right, in action with Bournemouth's Adam Smith during the third round of the Carabao Cup at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England on Sept. 27, 2023. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

But he was quick to make an impact, getting his first assist in his fifth match with Stoke.

His first goal came months later, in a 2-1 loss to Cardiff City, which boss Schumacher said he was “pleased” with, as Bae had “obviously been a good player for us since we’ve been here.”

And he immediately got his second, scoring in Stoke’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on March 2, which earned him more praise from Schumacher.

“I hope that gives him confidence because we need somebody in the team who is going to catch fire and hopefully it is him,” Schumacher said.

Bae Jun-ho wins Stoke City's Player of the Month in March. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Stats alone do not tell the whole story — while his numbers might not look that impressive compared to some of his older compatriots, Bae has earned a reputation as a key play-maker in the Stoke midfield, pushing the team up the pitch and setting up attempts on goal, even if he isn't always the one scoring or taking the assist.

‘South Korean King’

Bae’s consistency on the pitch, especially as Stoke fought to avoid relegation — Schumacher refusing to release Bae for the U-23 Asian Cup — earned him the nickname “South Korean King,” as well as the chant to go with it.

The lyrics, to the tune of ABBA’s Voulez-Vous:

“Bae Jun-ho — Aha! Running down the wing, aha! Hear the city sing, aha! He’s our South Korean king!”

“I love this song. Sometimes I hum this song, really,” Bae said in an interview in English in March. “It is give me more confidence.”

The 20-year-old added in that interview that he feels physically stronger after a first season in Stoke-on-Trent and is adjusting to life in England thanks to fans and his teammates.

“I have a nice apartment which is close to the training ground," Bae said. "I can drive there in 10 minutes. And I love the atmosphere in the UK.”

What’s next?

Bae’s contract with Stoke runs through 2027. He is the only Korean player remaining in the Championship following the end of the 2023-24 season. Paik Seung-ho’s Birmingham City were relegated to the third-tier League One after finishing the season in 22nd place on the 24-team table, and Kim Ji-soo's Brentford are now safe with two games left to play and will stay in the Premier League next season.

“Thank you to all the fans who supported my first season in England. And I was happy to be with great teammates. It was a happy season thanks to you guys,” Bae wrote in English in an Instagram post on Sunday.

He has since returned to Korea following Stoke’s 4-0 win over Bristol City.

BY MARY YANG AND JIM BULLEY [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]