Song Bum-keun is one of South Korea’s most reliable goalkeepers — a four-time K League 1 champion who has built a steady professional career across two countries.
This article breaks down Song Bum-keun’s estimated net worth, contract situation, career earnings, and personal life.
Song Bum-keun’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Song Bum-keun (송범근) |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years old |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 194–196 cm (6’4″) |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Current Club | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (K League 1) |
| Turned Professional | February 2018 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $400,000–$500,000 USD |
| Estimated Annual Salary | Approx. KRW 300–400 million (~$220,000–$290,000 USD) |
Early Life and Career
Song Bum-keun was born on October 15, 1997, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
He grew up in a football-loving country where goalkeepers are rarely celebrated until they make game-changing saves under pressure.
Song stood out early because of his exceptional height and sharp reflexes — natural attributes for a goalkeeper at the top level.
He developed his talent through the South Korean youth football system and went on to attend Korea University, one of the most prestigious universities in the country with a strong football program.
His time there sharpened his technical discipline and mental composure, which became trademarks of his professional game.
Song represented South Korea at the international youth level with great success.
He was part of the South Korea U-23 squad that won the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games — a historic achievement that accelerated his rise to professional stardom.
He also earned a Best Goalkeeper award at the AFC U-23 Championship in 2020, confirming his status as the best young shot-stopper in Asian football at the time.
Professional Career
Song Bum-keun made his professional debut on February 20, 2018, for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the AFC Champions League against Kitchee SC.
He immediately became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and helped Jeonbuk win the K League 1 title in four consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2021 — one of the most dominant periods in South Korean club football history.
He also contributed to Korean FA Cup victories in 2020 and 2022 before departing for Japan.
In December 2022, Song signed permanently with Shonan Bellmare in Japan’s J1 League, spending two seasons there to test himself in a more competitive environment.
He logged 44 league appearances for Shonan, developing his game further against higher-caliber strikers.
In January 2025, Song returned to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as a free agent after the club had a disastrous 2024 season — conceding a league-worst 59 goals in 38 matches.
His homecoming proved transformative. He won the K League 1 title again in 2025, claimed the Korean FA Cup, and earned the K League 1 Best XI honor for the first time in his career.
In 2026, Jeonbuk also claimed the K League Super Cup, further cementing Song’s status as a winner.
As tracked on Goal.com’s Bum-Keun Song profile, he currently sits among the most active and form-reliable goalkeepers in Asian club football.
According to Transfermarkt and Football Transfers market valuations, his estimated transfer value ranges between €600,000 and €936,000 as of 2026.
Song Bum-keun’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Song Bum-keun’s has an estimated net worth of $450,000.
He built this wealth through his professional football contracts with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in South Korea and Shonan Bellmare in Japan, along with limited but growing sponsorship activity.
Contract
Song returned to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in January 2025 as a free agent, meaning no transfer fee was paid by either club.
Free agent signings in K League 1 typically command higher base salaries to compensate for the absence of a transfer fee windfall for the player.
Jeonbuk, under new head coach Gus Poyet, made Song’s return a priority rebuilding move for the squad.
His contract is believed to be a short-term deal running through the 2026 season, though Jeonbuk has not publicly disclosed its length or exact terms.
Salary
According to K League salary data reported by K League United, the average K League 1 domestic player salary in 2025 was KRW 237.818 million per year (approximately $175,000 USD).
As a proven title-winner and the reigning K League 1 Best XI goalkeeper, Song earns above that average. A realistic estimate places his annual salary in the range of KRW 300–400 million ($220,000–$290,000 USD).
During his two seasons at Shonan Bellmare in the J1 League (2023–2024), Song would have earned comparable or slightly lower wages given Shonan’s modest budget relative to top J1 League clubs.
Career Earnings By Year
| Year | Club | League | Est. Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~$80,000 |
| 2019 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~$100,000 |
| 2020 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~$120,000 |
| 2021 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~$150,000 |
| 2022 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~$160,000 |
| 2023 | Shonan Bellmare | J1 League | ~$180,000 |
| 2024 | Shonan Bellmare | J1 League | ~$180,000 |
| 2025 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~$250,000 |
| 2026 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~$260,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 30 | — | — |
| 2019 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 38 | — | — |
| 2020 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 27 | — | — |
| 2021 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 37 | — | — |
| 2022 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 35 | — | — |
| 2023 | Shonan Bellmare | J1 League | 24 | — | — |
| 2024 | Shonan Bellmare | J1 League | 20 | — | — |
| 2025 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 38 | — | — |
| 2026 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 7 | — | — |
| Career Total | 299 | — | — |
Honours
- K League 1: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025
- Korean FA Cup: 2020, 2022, 2025
- K League Super Cup: 2026
- 2018 Asian Games Gold Medal
- AFC U-23 Championship: 2020
- AFC U-23 Best Goalkeeper: 2020
- K League 1 Best XI: 2025
FAQs
What is Song Bum-keun’s net worth?
Song Bum-keun’s estimated net worth is approximately $450,000 USD. He earned this through professional contracts with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Shonan Bellmare over nine seasons of top-flight football in South Korea and Japan.
How much does Song Bum-keun earn per year?
His exact salary remains undisclosed, but K League 1 domestic salary benchmarks place his annual earnings at an estimated KRW 300–400 million, roughly $220,000–$290,000 USD. As the 2025 K League 1 Best XI goalkeeper and a five-time champion, he earns above the league average.
What club does Song Bum-keun play?
He plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in South Korea’s K League 1. He rejoined the club as a free agent in January 2025 after two seasons with Shonan Bellmare in Japan’s J1 League.
What is Song Bum-keun’s transfer market value?
His current estimated transfer value sits between €600,000 and €1,000,000 (approximately €1.00M), according to Transfermarkt’s profile for Bum-keun Song and Football Transfers.
Did Song Bum-keun play at the FIFA World Cup?
Yes, Song Bum-keun represented South Korea at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He remained a squad member through the 2026 World Cup preparation cycle, earning a national team recall in November 2025 after a three-year and four-month absence from A-match duty.
