Son Wan Ho will hope to defend his men's singles title ©Getty Images

Son Wan Ho will hope to deliver home success at the Korea Masters as he aims to defend the men’s singles title in Gwangju.

The 29-year-old beat Malaysia’s Liew Daren in last year’s final to secure his second victory at the event, having also triumphed in 2011.

Son will hope to use the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Grand Prix Gold event as a springboard for success at the season ending World Superseries Finals in Dubai.

The South Korea will be the top seed for men’s singles in both tournaments and will hope to thrive under the favourite tag.

His title defence in Gwangju’s Yeomju Gymnasium will begin with a clash against Chinese Taipei’s Hsueh Hsuan Yi.

Second seed Wang Tzu Wei, also of Chinese Taipei, will face Thailand’s Kantaphon on the other half of the draw.

Sung Ji-hyun will lead the host's challenge in the women's singles ©Getty Images
Sung Ji-hyun will lead the host's challenge in the women's singles ©Getty Images

Qualification will be the focus of attention tomorrow, with the main draw commencing on Wednesday (November 29).

Sung Ji-hyun, who will represent South Korea in the women’s singles at the BWF World Superseries Finals, has also been named as a top seed in the Korea Masters.

She will begin her women’s singles campaign with a match against a qualifier, while second seed Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand faces the challenge of Chinese Taipei’s Tang Wan Yi.

Competition will take place until December 3.