SINGAPORE -- Following the dismissal of former coach Jürgen Klinsmann in February following a disappointing semifinal exit at the AFC Asian Cup, as well as public dissatisfaction of his leadership, South Korea are yet to appoint his permanent successor.
Talks with former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch were reportedly at an advanced stage before falling through, while the Korea Football Association initially handed the caretaker reins to Hwang Sun-Hong before his stock drastically dropped following a disastrous quarterfinal loss to Indonesia in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in April -- marking the first time since 1984 where the South Koreans failed to qualify for the Olympic men's football tournament.
In the wake of that U-23 Asian Cup exit, which saw Hwang drop out of the reckoning for the permanent job, the KFA opted for another interim option in Kim Do-Hoon.
On Thursday, in his first game at the helm, Kim could not have asked for a better start as South Korea recorded a resounding 7-0 win over Singapore to seal their place in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a game to spare.
Granted, not too much should be read into an emphatic victory over an opposition sitting 132 places below the 23rd-ranked South Koreans in the FIFA standings.
Still, there were little glimmers of hope to suggest that South Korea's future is far from gloomy despite some uncertain times.
For one, the Taegeuk Warriors rediscovered their verve and seemed to be playing with joy -- something that did not always look to be the case during Klinsmann's reign.
There also seemed to be more balance in the South Korea starting XI with anchorman Jung Woo-Young, who was marginalised by Klinsmann, offering a steady pivot that afforded the more attack-minded players greater freedom -- even if it meant one of them, on this occasion Wolves star Hwang Hee-Chan, had to settle for a spot on the bench.
But perhaps most importantly, Kim has immediately shown a willingness to inject fresh blood into the team having called up seven previously uncapped players to his current squad.
Ahead of Thursday's game, Kim had clarified that the makeup of his roster had happened organically but he was mindful that it was always important to maintain a balance between senior and inexperienced players - and he went on to dish out four international debuts against Singapore.
Highly-rated 20-year-old Bae Jun-Ho, who currently plays in England with Stoke, grabbed his share of the headlines with a goal off the bench that was set up by fellow debutant Park Seung-Wook, while Hwang Jae-Won -- only 21 -- started and gave an assured display that suggested he could contend for the first-choice right-back berth in years to come.
With the influx of new faces, midfield lynchpin Hwang In-Beom -- who was himself an up-and-comer not too long ago, is now one of the Taegeuk Warriors' most-experienced stalwarts even the age of 27.
And he was certainly heartened with how some previously unfamiliar faces gave an excellent account of themselves when handed the opportunity.
"To be honest, it's a really nice feeling to see younger players, especially from the Korean league but also from other European leagues, show how talented they are," the Crvena zvezda man told ESPN.
"I think they just need to keep pushing themselves to help the national team become stronger. It will also help them to be better players individually.
"It was a really important game -- to qualify for the final round but also to secure top seed for the last round of (World Cup) qualification.
"That's why we're so happy. Now, we have a chance to play full of confidence for the next game (against China)."
Given his huge potential and the fact that he is already plying his trade in England, Bae was understandably in the spotlight and South Korea captain Son Heung-Min only had positives words for a player who could be his long-term successor, in terms of role and influence.
"Before, for a long time, I was one of the young players of the Korea national team," Son said.
"I never thought (the day would come where) I would (be the one to) see the young players and be proud.
"Players like Lee Kang-In and the others with a lot of potential, I love all these players. As a Korean citizen, and thinking of Korean football, I can see a bright future.
"About Bae, he prepared very well and deserved this (opportunity). I want to praise him and his potential from the bottom of my heart."
With qualification for the next round of Asian qualifiers now secured, South Korea can head back to Seoul with no pressure on their shoulders for Tuesday's meeting with China.
Yet, do not for a minute think they might be taking their foot off the pedal.
There are hungry newcomers eager to show they belong on the big stage, and there is also a coaching hopeful who must have one eye on the permanent gig.
Taking nothing away from what they produced in the rout of Singapore, a similar performance against sterner opposition in China will further enhance some of these burgeoning reputations, and go one step further in showing that the future of South Korea remains bright even amid some uncertain times.