World Cup Fans' is a special SBS News series running in the lead up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It looks at the 32 qualifying countries through the eyes of their fans in Australia.
South Korea will appear at its ninth consecutive FIFA World Cup this year.
Since reaching the semi-finals on home soil in 2002, The Reds have failed to progress past the tournament's round of 16 and face tough group opponents this year in Germany, Mexico and Sweden.
But fans in Australia are confident this time will be different - and one player in particular will help them overcome the odds. That man is Son Heung-min.
Son Heung-min in action last month. Source: Getty Images
The 25-year-old striker has emerged as a key signing for English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur after scoring more than 10 goals in each of the past two seasons.
The national side, entering the World Cup as ‘Korea Republic’ (North Korea did not qualify), will hope he continues that form.
Sydneysider Song Myungchul is one of many South Koreans who look up to the player.
"He's a very awesome player in the English Premier League, that's why we love him," he told SBS News.
Song is a member of one of seven teams that compete in a local football competition hosted by Australia's Korean Football Association.
The new season kicked off last weekend bringing together almost 100 members of Sydney's South Korean community.
"We come here to play and we also make friends with people who are living here or are from overseas," Song said.
Participants in a Sydney competition run by Australia's Korean Football Association. Source: Adrian Arciuli
Another player, Nakkyu Lee, moved to Australia in the early 2000s. He credits the competition for helping him make friends within the South Korean community.
"Since I started playing football, the number of Korean friends I had tripled," Lee said.
He added that sportsmanship and fair play are important parts of South Korean culture.
"Our priority is not to have injuries while playing," Lee said.
"Getting good relationships is the most important thing rather than competition."
South Korea kicks off its World Cup campaign against Sweden on June 18.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins 15 June. SBS will broadcast the biggest games, including the opening match, semi-finals and final, live, free and in HD.
