Starting as an International Challenge in 2007, the Korea Masters has been an HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300 event since 2018.
Here are some interesting information about it.
- Since its inception, Korean players have dominated the tournament.
- Of the 70 winners’ medals handed out over 14 editions, just 12 were to non-Koreans.
- Those dozen are from China, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong China.
- China are also the only country other than the hosts to have contested at least one final since 2017.
- None of the foreign players have won more than once.
- Olympic champions Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin, seeded second, can become the first to do it this year.
- Jeon Hyeok Jin is the only returning defending champion.
- Retaining the title will make him the second men’s singles player after compatriot Lee Dong Keun to win three titles. Jeon also triumphed in 2017.
- Top seed in men’s and mixed doubles, Seo Seung Jae has the chance to leave as the joint-second most successful male player in tournament history.
- Seo is currently on three titles, two short of Yoo Yeon Seong’s total.
- Four-time champion Shin Seung Chan, as well as Son Wan Ho, Kim Jae Hwan and Kim Won Ho are the other previous winners in the draw.
- Glory for mixed doubles second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin will make China the maiden overseas country to consecutively win a category.
Standout Stat: Korea Masters 2023 marks the first time since 2016 that Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo doesn’t play a non-team international event with Marcus Fernaldi Gideon. Sukamuljo partners Rahmat Hidayat in Gwangju.