Hwang Hee-chan is a South Korean professional footballer. He is famous for his stints with Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers and the South Korean national team. His playing position is a winger or attacking midfielder. His shirt number is #11 for his current team. During a press conference, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola referred to South Korean player Hwang Hee-chan as "the Korean guy," sparking controversy and accusations of casual racism, highlighting the issue of microaggressions faced by Asians.
Hwang Hee-chan, a South Korean professional footballer known for Wolverhampton Wanderers and the South Korea national team, plays as a winger or attacking midfielder, wearing #11 for his current team. He's also had successful spells at Red Bull Salzburg, FC Liefering, Hamburger SV, and RB Leipzig.
Hwang Hee-chan, born on January 26, 1996, in Chuncheon, Gangwon, South Korea, moved to Bucheon at an early age. He holds South Korean nationality and belongs to South Korean-Asian ethnicity. He was born to his father, Hwang Won-kyung, and his mother, Song Young-mi. He grew up alongside his elder sister. His football journey began at Singok Elementary School in Uijeongbu, where he excelled and became the top goal scorer in prestigious South Korean youth tournaments in 2008. He continued his development at Pohang Jecheol Middle School, playing for the Pohang Steelers under-15 team, and later joined Pohang Jecheol High School while representing the Pohang Steelers under-18 squad as he pursued his football career.
In December 2014, Pohang Steelers aimed to sign forward Hwang Hee-chan as a homegrown player, but he ultimately chose to join Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. In November 2016, Hwang made a significant impact by scoring a brace as a substitute in a Europa League match against Nice, helping Salzburg secure their first win in the competition that season. His first Austrian Bundesliga season, however, saw him fail to find the net.
The 2017–18 season was remarkable for Salzburg as they had their best-ever European campaign, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals. Hwang played a pivotal role, scoring against Lazio in a 4-1 victory that led them to the semi-finals. He later went on loan to Hamburger SV during the 2018-19 season. Hwang's standout season came in 2019-20, earning praise alongside Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino, particularly for their performances in the Champions League, where Hwang contributed significantly. He moved to RB Leipzig in July 2020 but initially struggled to find the net in the German Bundesliga.
Then, in August 2021, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, making an immediate impact by scoring on his debut. Wolves later exercised an option to sign him permanently in January 2022, and he continued to impress, scoring five goals in his debut Premier League campaign. On September 30, 2023, Hwang scored a crucial goal against Manchester City, leading to a 2-1 victory and ending the defending champions' unbeaten streak in the 2023-24 Premier League season.
Internationally, Hwang Hee-chan played a key role for South Korea's national teams, highlighted by his top scorer title at the 2012 AFC U-16 Championship with five goals, including a hat-trick against North Korea. He also scored in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Germany at the 2016 Summer Olympics and netted a goal in a friendly against Poland in 2018. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Hwang faced criticism for a missed chance against Sweden and was tactically substituted during the match against Germany. Nonetheless, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he redeemed himself with a stoppage-time winner against Portugal, securing a 2–1 victory and advancing South Korea to the Round of 16.
Red Bull Salzburg
RB Leipzig
South Korea U23
Individual
Hwang Hee-chan is a highly talented footballer boasting an estimated net worth of €8 million in 2023, primarily attributed to his successful football career. His financial gains stem from lucrative contracts, salaries, performance bonuses, and endorsements. With an annual salary of £1.3 million and a current market value of approximately €12 million as of June 20, 2023, he enjoys a comfortable and stylish lifestyle befitting his successful career in the world of football.
Hwang Hee-chan is a handsome and youthful footballer, standing tall at 1.77 meters and maintaining a well-proportioned physique weighing 77 kilograms, characterized by his athletic build. His features include captivating black eyes and a crown of black hair. He diligently frequents the gym to uphold his fitness and overall well-being, resulting in a robust and healthy physique.
Hwang Hee-chan is affectionately nicknamed "The Bull" or "The Angry Bull" due to his notably aggressive playing style, often charging at defenders and instilling fear in them. This approach has drawn comparisons to football stalwarts like Luis Suarez, Carlos Tevez, and Wayne Rooney, known for their physicality and tenacity on the field. Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann emphasized Hwang's formidable presence, highlighting his powerful build and versatility as a forward who can run at opponents, play with his back to goal, and contribute significantly to chance creation, making him a constant challenge for opposition defenders.
Hwang Hee-chan's football journey began at Singok Elementary School in Uijeongbu, South Korea, and he continued to excel at Pohang Jecheol Middle School. In 2008, he was the top scorer in the Hwanrang-Daegi Youth Cup and Dongwon Youth Cup. His exceptional performance extended to the South Korean 11-12 national team, where he scored a record 22 goals in the Kanga Cup. Playing for the Pohang Jecheol Middle School Team (Pohang Steelers 11-15), he contributed to their 2011 regional and national victories and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Korean Football Association U-15 league.
Hwang Hee-chan's football intelligence is a standout trait in his game, showcasing exceptional vision and a deep understanding of positioning on the field. His ability to exploit space and make clever decisions has drawn comparisons to Liverpool's Roberto Firmino. Hwang, like Firmino, doesn't shy away from selflessly sacrificing his own positioning to benefit a teammate, often drawing defenders out of place to create opportunities for fellow forwards, emphasizing his valuable contribution to team dynamics.
Hwang Hee-chan's standout performance did not escape the attention of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Although Klopp eventually opted to sign Takumi Minamino from Salzburg, Hwang disclosed that after the game, Klopp approached him and described him as a 'machine,' acknowledging the exceptional display of talent and athleticism he had witnessed on the pitch.
In FIFA 21, Hwang Hee-chan proved to be a formidable force on the virtual pitch. Despite his initial overall rating of 77, his attributes, including an impressive 93 pace, 79 dribbling, and 75 shooting, made him a sought-after player in the early stages of the game. Facing opponents with Hwang in their team became a common occurrence, and when utilized effectively, he became a global terror. Hwang's Ones to Watch card, obtained through Squad Building Challenge early in the game, hinted at the potential for game-changing upgrades that had the potential to shake up the virtual football world.