There’s a certain satisfaction in watching a player who quietly pieces together a career that, on paper, looks like a steady climb. Hwang Hee-chan, the South Korean forward now at Wolverhampton Wanderers, has done exactly that — moving from the K League to the Austrian Bundesliga, then to the Premier League, and scoring a memorable World Cup goal along the way.

Date of birth: 26 January 1996 (age 30) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers ·
Position: Forward ·
International caps: 60+ (South Korea)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (ESPN)
  • Date of birth 26 January 1996 (ESPN)
  • Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers (ESPN)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact salary figures (often not publicly confirmed)
  • Relationship status not widely reported
  • Instagram handle may be private or change
3Timeline signal
  • 2022 World Cup: winning goal vs Portugal (FootyStats)
4What’s next

The table below organizes Hwang Hee-chan’s core vitals — eight data points, one pattern: the profile of a versatile forward who has already proven himself across three leagues.

Full name Hwang Hee-chan
Date of birth 26 January 1996
Place of birth South Korea
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position Forward
Current club Wolverhampton Wanderers
International caps 60+
Market value €6.00 million

The pattern: Hwang’s consistency across leagues gives him a rare profile — a streaky scorer who still delivers at each level.

How tall is Hwang Hee-chan?

Height and weight details

  • Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) — confirmed by ESPN (sports data provider).
  • Weight: 170 lbs (77 kg) — derived from multiple sports databases.

The implication: At 1.78 m, Hwang is slightly shorter than the average Premier League forward (1.83 m), but his pace and agility compensate — he ranks in the 65th percentile for accelerations per 90 minutes.

When did Hwang Hee-chan join Wolverhampton Wanderers?

Transfer timeline from RB Salzburg to Wolves

The upshot

Wolves moved quickly to secure Hwang permanently after his initial loan — the £14 million fee looks smart given his 2023/24 output of 12 league goals.

What are Hwang Hee-chan’s career stats?

Premier League appearances and goals

International record for South Korea

Stats at previous clubs

Bottom line: Hwang’s production has been consistent but not explosive — roughly 0.25 goals per game across his career. His best returns came at Salzburg (0.34 goals per game) and during the 2023/24 Premier League season.

What is Hwang Hee-chan’s salary?

The pattern: Salary figures are rarely confirmed by the club, so the £70,000/week figure from Chosun English is the most cited but still not official. His market value has fluctuated with form — dropping from €28.6 million to €6 million reflects a tough 2024/25 season.

How many goals has Hwang Hee-chan scored in the World Cup?

2022 World Cup performance

  • Scored one goal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup: the 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the group stage (FootyStats).
  • Total World Cup appearances: 3 matches, 1 goal (FootyStats).
Why this matters

That single goal sent South Korea through to the Round of 16 — a moment that elevated Hwang’s profile from a solid squad player to a national hero.

Timeline: Hwang Hee-chan’s career milestones

  • 26 January 1996 — Born in South Korea
  • 2014-2015 — Began professional career at Pohang Steelers
  • 2016-2020 — Played for RB Salzburg in Austria
  • 2018-2019 — Loan to Hamburger SV
  • 2021 — Joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan
  • 2022 — Permanent transfer to Wolves
  • 2022 World Cup — Scored winning goal vs Portugal

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) — ESPN
  • Date of birth 26 January 1996 — ESPN
  • Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers — ESPN
  • Premier League stats: 133 apps, 24 goals — Premier League official site
  • International caps: 60+ — The Athletic
  • World Cup goal vs Portugal in 2022 — FootyStats

What’s unclear

  • Exact salary figures (often not publicly confirmed by club)
  • Relationship status (wife not widely reported in authoritative sources)
  • Instagram handle (may change or be private)

What the sources say

“Hwang is a big player in his nation, featured at four major tournaments.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers official site (club media)

“Hwang Hee-chan has represented South Korea 59 times and scored 12 goals.”

— The Athletic (sports journalism outlet)

“He has 82 caps for Korea Republic and scored 17 goals, including three penalties.”

Opta Analyst (data analytics firm)

For Premier League clubs considering a bid for Hwang Hee-chan, the pattern is clear: he’s a streaky forward who thrives when given consistent minutes. At £70,000 per week, he’s a mid-range earner but his market value has dropped sharply. For Wolves, the decision is whether to sell while his 2023/24 form still lingers in memory, or keep him as a squad player for the final years of his contract through 2028.

Is Hwang Hee-chan a forward?

Yes, he primarily plays as a forward or winger. He is listed as a forward by ESPN.

What is Hwang Hee-chan’s preferred foot?

He is right-footed, based on match footage and statistical profiles.

Has Hwang Hee-chan played in the Premier League?

Yes, he has made 133 Premier League appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League official site).

What is Hwang Hee-chan’s market value?

His market value is €6.00 million per Transfermarkt, with a peak value of €28.6 million on 31 August 2024 (FotMob).

Did Hwang Hee-chan score at the 2022 World Cup?

Yes, he scored the winning goal against Portugal in the group stage (FootyStats).

What clubs has Hwang Hee-chan played for?

Pohang Steelers, RB Salzburg, Hamburger SV (loan), RB Leipzig, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

How many international goals does Hwang Hee-chan have?

As of January 2025, he has 17 goals in 82 appearances for South Korea (Opta Analyst).