Everyone would agree that coming into the tournament the South Koreans were not regarded as one of the favorites to win, or at least on paper. On the other hand both players and coaches will say that they can skate. The South Koreans are also very much like the Japanese, Hungarian video coordinator Gergely Majoross said that they are small quick and very good skaters. The Korean team is also has the youngest average age. Here is a quick break down of the roster. One thing that has to be mentioned is that teams in the Asia League are made up of teams from South Korea, Japan and China, with the Korean League being almost like the NCAA, made up of university teams.
Goalie- The Koreans at this position are young but they make that up in experience. Hyun Seung Eum is 28 but this is his 7th time in the world championships with his keeper mate being the 24 year old Sung Je Park, this is his fourth World Championships. These two are not only teammates in the national team but also at their club in the Asia League, Anyang Halla.
Defensemen- The blue line much like the rest of the team is under the age of 30 with Kyung Won Yoon being the only one above that at 31. Yoon also came back to hockey after taking two seasons off. This defensemen crew is made up of players who played in the Korean League and then graduated up to the Asia League. Woo Young Kim is the only one who does not fall into this group, earlier in the season he was playing in Finland for a handful of games in the lower leagues. Most of these players have only played in four maybe five world championships.
Forwards- Just like in the cage and on the blue line the forward unit is also young, with only one player above the age of 30 and only a few having any experience out side of Asia. Ki Sung Kim played in a lower Finish league and three matches in the CHL, Tae An Kwon had a point per game season in juniors in the U.S. and Woo-Sang Park played a season in England. There is one player that makes up for everyone and that is a very skilled and big bodied Brock Radunske. Radunske was born in Canada and played at Michigan State, he was later drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 3rd round of the 2002 NHL draft. He later played in the AHL and the ECHL before he moved onto Europe and then Asia. He big bodied truly North American style player.
Either way what happens at the end of the tournament the Koreans will play their hearts out and will become a fan favorite (after the Hungarians).