They may be the only Asian nation to reach the semi-final of a FIFA World Cup, and they may have participated in the tournament more than any other Asian side, but on the continental stage, Korea Republic have struggled to reach similar heights in recent times.
In the past 59 years Korea Republic have reached the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals on eight occasions and the final in four, yet Asia's most prestigious trophy remained elusive.
The Comeback (1972)
After the generation that helped the country make their World Cup debut in 1954 and won back-to-back Asian Cups in 1956 and 1960, Korea Republic failed to make an impact in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup and did not even qualify to the following tournament.
However, a side led by the legendary Cha Bum-kun and Park Lee-chun was destined for greatness. They started the 1972 competition with their eyes on the gold, defeating Cambodia with four goals in the first game, and despite losing to Kuwait in the second, they managed to qualify top of their group on goal difference.
Park was the team's top scorer and played the saviour role in the semi-final against hosts Thailand. A goalless draw took the game to extra time, in which the hosts found the opener, before Park scored the equaliser. Korea Republic won 2-1 on penalties to go through.
The same scenario was repeated in the final, as Islamic Republic of Iran scored first and Park brought the game level. Yet this time, Hossein Kalani's goal in extra time was enough to shatter the Korean dreams and end their journey.
Bitter Revenge (1980)
In this edition, Korea Republic were an unstoppable force, a team that damaged every opponent they faced. The Taegeuk Warriors were unbeaten in all four games of the group stage, scoring 10 goals; with seven of them fired by Choi Soon-ho.
A new hero was born in the semi-finals, when Korea Republic were a goal down against neighbours DPR Korea. In the last 10 minutes, Chung Hae-won bagged a brace to turn it around and send his country to the final to face hosts Kuwait.
This was not the first tie between the two teams in the tournament as Korea Republic had defeated Kuwait 3-0 in the group stage. Playing at home, the Blues were the better side in the final as they took their revenge, winning with the same score to lift their only AFC Asian Cup title to date.
The Struggle Continues (1988)
After making their second World Cup appearance in 1986, the Taeguk Warriors were in their prime and ready to conquer Asia.
Korea Republic took the 1988 AFC Asian Cup by storm winning every single game in the group stage, scoring nine goals more than any nation in the competition and defeating IR Iran, Japan,UAE and the hosts Qatar.
In the semi-finals they took China PR to extra time, and it was Lee Tae-ho who managed to singlehandedly knock the Dragons out firing a brace to pave the way for his side to play the final.
Saudi Arabia were all that stood between Korea Republic and a third continental title. The two sides fought out a heated battle but the tie went all the way to the penalty shootout.
It was another disappointing night for Korea Republic as Cho Yoon-hwan missed the last spot-kick, gifting the Green Falcons their second AFC Asian Cup title in a row.
Shadows of the Past (2015)
Since 1986, Korea Republic have not missed a single World Cup, but it would take another 27 years before they were back contesting a continental final.
A new generation of Taegeuk Warriors travelled to Australia with high hopes. They were resolute at the back and focused upfront, and their pragmatic approach saw them win all three games of the group stage 1-0 against Oman, Kuwait and hosts Australia.
Australia vs Korea Republic: AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 (Match 17)
In the second round it was rising starlet Son Heung-min's brace that gave them victory over Uzbekistan to set up a semi-final clash against Iraq. Goals from Lee Jung-hyup and Kim Young-gwon were enough to see Korea Republic past the Lions of Mesopotamia and into the final.
Korea Republic did not concede a single goal en route to the final, where they faced the Socceroos one more time. There were shadows of 1980 as the Taeguk Warriors were again finding themselves up against the hosts who they had already beaten in the group stage.
The 2015 edition stuck to the script and it was the hosts who emerged victorious this time. Massimo Luongo's goal at the stroke of half-time broke the Korean defence for the first time, and a late Son equaliser only served to delay the Australian celebrations which erupted following James Troisi's extra-time winner.
The Korean dream would have to wait four more years. The Taeguk Warriors will now travel to the UAE in pursuit of ending a 59-year-old hoodoo as they look to bring home a long overdue continental triumph for one of Asia's footballing giants.
