In the latest Stoke City news, Player of the Year Bae Junho shares with the press back home about his journey in England, learning some naughty words from his teammates, and gaining muscle.
Bae Junho, affectionately known as the South Korean king among Stoke City supporters, is being celebrated as the King of Stoke City back in his homeland. He has recently marked his first senior international call-up, capping off a remarkable 12 months in his life and career.
The playmaker began his personal season in March 2023, playing for South Korea’s under-20 team. He gained wider recognition during the under-20 World Cup in Argentina, where he helped his team reach the semi-finals. Despite interest from various European clubs, Stoke City secured his transfer from Daejeon Hana Citizen in August, shortly after he turned 20, with the promise of regular playing time in the Championship.
Junho’s journey at Stoke has been rewarding yet challenging. Named Stoke’s Player of the Season, he has become a fan favorite, celebrated throughout matches. However, his adaptation wasn’t easy. Arriving with no English skills, his early contributions on the pitch were limited to two assists. Frustrated by his slow start, Junho dedicated two hours daily to studying English and focused on strength training, gaining 4kg of muscle. His language skills improved, initially through learning swearwords from his teammates, and he drew inspiration from the gym routines of former Stoke players Marc Muniesa and Bojan.
Reflecting on his experience, Junho told the Seoul press, “When I went to Stoke City, it had a ‘manly’ side to it, but I was confident. It took some time to get used to it, but I had confidence that it would work out someday. I feel physically stronger. I like the atmosphere in England. Before I learned the language, it was very difficult. It was easier when I was able to communicate to a certain extent. The first thing I learned was swearing so I was able to freely say what I thought.”
Junho missed out on playing in the qualifiers for this summer’s Olympic Games due to his commitments with Stoke. However, he has now been called up to the senior international camp for World Cup qualifiers against China and Singapore in June.
“It seems like a dream,” he said. “There’s Son Heung-min, who everyone respects. I want to score my debut goal in front of the home fans, and my ultimate goal is to play in the World Cup.”