Park Seung-soo: Why Newcastle have signed the 'Korean Mbappe'

As Newcastle United prepare to play in South Korea, their newest winger Park Seung-soo aspires to become the next Kylian Mbappe, Asian football expert John Duerden explains.

South Korean wingers have already made their mark in the Premier League and while Newcastle United’s latest signing Park Seung-soo has some way to go to match the English-based exploits of Son Heung-min and Park Ji-sung, the teenager’s role model is not one of his compatriots but a certain French superstar.

‘Korean Mbappe’

The 18-year-old usually plays on the left-wing, but is comfortable all across the forward line. His nickname of the “Korean Mbappe” is not a coincidental one.

“Park has said that Mbappe is his role model and favourite player,” said Seoul-based writer Lee Seung-mo. “He likes Mbappe's playing style, speed and skills, wants to play with him and learn everything from him in the future. Therefore, it's natural that his playing style is similar to Mbappe. He's quick and possesses great dribbling skills.”   

Park’s recent emergence has been a rare glint of sunshine during the darkest periods in the history of Suwon Bluewings. In 2023, the four-time South Korean title winners and two-time Asian champions were relegated from the continent’s oldest professional league for the first time. 

Watch Park's first Newcastle interview

Record breaker

In the same year, however, a high-school student signed a semi-pro contract, the youngest ever to do so in South Korea.

There were more records to come. In June 2024, Park became the youngest player in the history of Korean league football when he made his debut for Suwon at 17 years and three months and then added another first a week later when he scored.

Usually coming off the bench, the attacker ended his first season with a goal and two assists in 14 appearances. 

Byun Sung-hwan became head coach of Suwon in May 2024 and the former full-back, also a past coach of South Korea’s Under-15 and Under-17 national teams, knows a dangerous winger when he sees one.

“Park has the ability to go to the top in football,” Byun said soon after giving Park his debut in June 2024. “There is a long way to go and a lot to learn but the talent is there, and the attitude is there.” 

In May, Park made his first start at home, Suwon’s famous World Cup stadium is nicknamed the ‘‘Big Bird’’ by the club's loyal fans, and was withdrawn in the second half with his team 2-0 up. Soon after, a television camera showed Park in tears on the bench. 

“He has a strong desire to win,” explained Byun after the game. “He still has some emotional ups and downs. He didn’t score but he did well and was involved a lot in the team’s play. Since it was his first time as a starter for Big Bird, I think he wanted to show a lot. I want to tell him that he did well enough so that he doesn't have to cry.’’

Rising star

On the pitch there is composure as he showed in the U20 Asian Cup in February.

Park was the youngest of the South Korean squad who made it to the semi-finals, appearing in all five games and scoring against Thailand, running on to a through-ball from the left-wing to curl his right-footed shot inside the post.

It was a perfect finish that followed a glorious assist from the left corner, twisting and turning his defender to send over a delightful cross.

“When he got the ball, Korea looked dangerous,” said Thailand’s Brazilian coach Emerson Pereira. “He gave our defenders problems with his pace and dribbling.” It confirmed Park’s status as one of Asia’s hottest properties, with a number of European clubs – reported to be well into double figures – contacting Suwon.

In the end, Park plumped for Newcastle and it remains to be seen if he is loaned out as was fellow South Korean youngster Yang Min-hyeok, after joining Tottenham Hotspur in December. The winger spent the second half of the season in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers.

Yang and Park may meet on the pitch as Newcastle face Spurs in Seoul this week to give Premier League fans all around the world a chance to see two of Korea’s brightest young talents in action.

Watch Newcastle's welcome from their South Korean fans

“We already saw what great South Korean wingers including Son Heung-min and Park Ji-sung could do,” said Lee. “Also, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Chung-yong and Seol Ki-hyun made big impacts in Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers and Reading.”

Now it is Park’s turn.