WPT Season 22 Player of the Year Yunkyu Song’s Journey From Zero to Hero

Yunkyu Song, coming from a traditional background in education and the corporate world, made a huge impact last year when he earned the World Poker Tour Season 22 Player of the Year title, marking his quick rise in the poker scene nothing short of extraordinary. In just a few short years, Song went from a college student learning the basics of poker to becoming a globally recognized household name. The 25-year-old’s journey has been marked by passion, adaptability, and an unwavering determination to succeed.

Having recently competed in WPT Cambodia 2025, Song is continuing to make his mark, aiming for another impressive finish on Asian soil. In an interview with Somuchpoker, the South Korean native shared details of his journey, the influences that have inspired him, and the mindset that has driven him to the pinnacle of the industry.

Yunkyu Song Hooked on the Game

When asked what initially drew him to poker, Yunkyu Song revealed that a combination of curiosity and practicality initially sparked his interest.

I learned how to play poker in the last quarter of my college, around January 2022. I was preparing for job interviews, and a friend told me that learning poker could be helpful for some finance jobs and interviews. That’s how I got into poker

What began as a casual hobby quickly evolved into a full-blown career. After earning a degree in Computer Science and Mass Communications from the University of Washington, Song spent a year working as a software engineer before an unexpected turn of events gave him the chance to dive deeper into the game.

And then I was laid off from my company. And for one year, I kind of just took a vacation. Like in my home and then I went to a couple vacations – to Mexico and to some other places in Asia. I also went to a couple poker stops. And then 2023 in January, I think that’s when I first tried to be professional. So my goal was to play poker full time until the WSOP and then see how I do.

I heard from my friend, it was not very sensible to make $30,000 per month. And if I make more than $30,000 per month by the end of summer I decided I’d want to continue

The results far exceeded his expectations. “I was up around $500,000 by the end of the summer. January was my best month,” he shared.

The Breakthrough

Song’s breakthrough came during the 2024 WPT season. He secured multiple deep runs, including a victory at the WPT Prime Playground Championship for $164,251. He had already finished fourth at Thunder Valley, before his latest win was followed by a runner-up finish at the WPT bestbet Scramble Jacksonville, marking his largest career cash to date. These performances put him in contention for the coveted WPT Player of the Year title, which he ultimately clinched, along with a highly profitable $1.3 million year.

Reflecting on his incredible season, Song said, “I think I was tied with two other players in the PoY race. It wasn’t confirmed until the very end. My friend Fabian could have caught me if he won the main event, but it worked out in my favor.”

I was actually going through a $160k downswing. Prime just got me even after that. My friends congratulated me. And then I also got $15,000 in the tournament credits. I think maybe some people recognize me as a player here, which I think is the best thing because they are more likely to support me. But other than that, I’m very honored to play over here.

Poker is a game of highs and lows, and Song is no stranger to the challenges of downswings. When asked how he maintains focus and motivation during tough times, he admitted,

I’m actually going through a bigger downswing now. I guess the plan is to play more poker and hopefully hit something. You can’t control how you run, but you can control how much effort you put in. Play a lot, talk to friends, and learn from your mistakes

Having competed on poker circuits worldwide, Song shared his perspective on what separates great players:

I think at the end of the day, each player has their own style. The great ones can adapt to different situations, and that’s what distinguishes them from the rest. Making keen observations and adapting based on those insights is critical. Stamina also plays a big role because tournaments can last over ten hours a day, sometimes spanning multiple days.

What’s Next for Song?

Although poker is his primary focus at the moment, Song hasn’t ruled out a return to the tech industry.

Maybe someday I’ll go back to software engineering. There’s more stability in a regular job, but poker gives me the freedom to travel, set my own schedule, and meet interesting people.

When asked which path he prefers, Song admitted, “I’m leaning towards poker now because of the freedom it provides. But both have their pros and cons.”

For now, Song’s goal is straightforward: “Not to go broke.” Beyond that, he aims to continue playing the game he loves, eyeing higher stakes and even more prestigious tournaments. “If I keep doing well in both main and side events, I’ll keep playing poker. That’s my goal,” he said.

*Interview by Derick Elomina