Kim Tae-hwan is one of South Korean football’s most durable and decorated defenders.
With over 500 career appearances across K League 1, international duty, and continental competition, his financial profile reflects a long, consistent run at the top of Asian football.
This article covers Kim Tae-hwan’s net worth, salary, contract, endorsements, and full career earnings.
Kim Tae-hwan’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Tae-hwan (김태환) |
| Date of Birth | July 24, 1989 |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height / Weight | 177 cm / 70 kg |
| Position | Right Back (Defender) |
| Current Club | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (K League 1) |
| Turned Professional | 2010 (FC Seoul, K-League Draft) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million USD |
| Annual Salary | Approx. KRW 400–500 million (~$300,000–$375,000 USD) |
| @holichwan |
Early Life & Career
Kim Tae-hwan was born on July 24, 1989, in Gwangju, South Korea. From an early age, he showed a natural athletic talent.
Before committing to football, Kim briefly trained in both track and field and taekwondo before ultimately dedicating himself to the sport.
He developed his game through structured youth programs and went on to study and train at the University of Ulsan, one of South Korea’s football-focused institutions.
His early development was anchored in discipline and physical versatility — qualities that would define his professional career as an attacking right back capable of covering large stretches of the pitch.
After impressing at university level, Kim entered the 2009 K-League Draft, where FC Seoul selected him, giving him his first professional platform.
His path mirrors that of many Korean professional footballers who rise through academic-linked training systems, a structure that builds both technical foundation and mental toughness before a player steps into the intensity of K League 1.
Professional Career
Kim Tae-hwan made his K League 1 debut for FC Seoul on April 18, 2010, against Ulsan Hyundai.
During his time at Seoul (2010–2012), he made 55 appearances, scored 2 goals, and earned two K League 1 titles (2010, 2012) along with the K-League Cup in 2010.
In December 2012, he transferred to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma for £264,000, where he spent two productive seasons.
He appeared in 74 matches, scored 8 goals, and won the FA Cup with Seongnam in 2014 — a significant silverware addition early in his career.
His most defining chapter began when he moved to Ulsan Hyundai in February 2015. At Ulsan, Kim became a cornerstone of one of Asia’s elite club setups.
He won the AFC Champions League in 2020 — the continent’s top club honour — and claimed two more K League 1 titles in 2022 and 2023.
He also completed mandatory South Korean military service through Gimcheon Sangmu (2017–2018), a standard requirement for Korean male professionals.
In January 2024, he signed with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where he added a K League 1 title and Korean FA Cup double in 2025 to his already impressive résumé.
As of 2026, his career total stands at 510 appearances and 24 goals across all competitions, according to verified data from Wikipedia’s career statistics page.
On the international stage, Kim earned 31 caps for the South Korean national team, participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
He also won the EAFF E-1 Football Championship with South Korea in 2019.
Kim Tae-hwan’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kim Tae-hwan’s has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
He built this wealth through 16 consecutive seasons of professional K League 1 football, multiple title-winning contracts at top Korean clubs, and a sustained presence in the South Korean national team.
Contract
Kim Tae-hwan currently plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, one of K League 1’s most financially capable clubs. He joined the club in January 2024.
While the exact contract terms are not publicly disclosed, Jeonbuk — a club with a strong history of Korean international retentions — typically offers senior defenders with national team pedigree competitive multi-year deals.
His Transfermarkt profile lists his current market value at €400,000, consistent with a senior player in the final phase of a high-earning K League career.
Salary
K League 1 salary data is not always publicly disclosed at the individual level.
However, based on comparable K League 1 veterans at top clubs like Jeonbuk, senior South Korean internationals in their mid-30s typically earn between KRW 300 million and KRW 500 million per year (approximately $225,000–$375,000 USD).
Kim’s status as a three-time K League Best XI player (2019, 2020, 2022) and an AFC Champions League winner positions him toward the higher end of that bracket.
His annual salary is estimated at approximately KRW 400–500 million for the 2025–2026 period.
Career Earnings By Year
| Period | Club | Est. Annual Salary (USD) | Est. Total (Period) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2012 | FC Seoul | ~$50,000–$80,000 | ~$180,000 |
| 2013–2014 | Seongnam FC | ~$90,000–$120,000 | ~$210,000 |
| 2015–2016 | Ulsan Hyundai | ~$120,000–$160,000 | ~$280,000 |
| 2017–2018 | Gimcheon Sangmu | ~$80,000–$100,000 | ~$160,000 |
| 2018–2023 | Ulsan Hyundai | ~$200,000–$300,000 | ~$1,200,000 |
| 2024–2026 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | ~$300,000–$375,000 | ~$600,000+ |
| Career Total | ~$2.6 million (gross) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 12 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 16 | 1 | — |
| 2012 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 19 | 1 | — |
| 2013 | Seongnam FC | K League 1 | 34 | 3 | — |
| 2014 | Seongnam FC | K League 1 | 36 | 5 | — |
| 2015 | Ulsan Hyundai | K League 1 | 33 | 1 | — |
| 2016 | Ulsan Hyundai | K League 1 | 36 | 4 | — |
| 2017 | Gimcheon Sangmu | K League 1 | 34 | 2 | — |
| 2018 | Gimcheon Sangmu + Ulsan | K League 1 | 29 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | Ulsan Hyundai | K League 1 | 30 | 2 | — |
| 2020 | Ulsan Hyundai | K League 1 | 25 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | Ulsan Hyundai | K League 1 | 34 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | Ulsan Hyundai | K League 1 | 30 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | Ulsan Hyundai | K League 1 | 21 | 1 | — |
| 2024 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 19 | 1 | — |
| 2025 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 19 | 0 | — |
| Total (League) | 427 | 22 | — | ||
| Career Total (All Comps) | 510 | 24 | — |
FAQs
What is Kim Tae-hwan’s net worth?
Kim Tae-hwan’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million USD. He earned this through 16 professional seasons in K League 1 and consistent national team appearances.
How much does Kim Tae-hwan earn per year?
His annual salary at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is estimated at KRW 400–500 million (roughly $300,000–$375,000 USD), in line with top Korean defenders of his experience and title-winning pedigree.
What club does Kim Tae-hwan play?
He plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the K League 1. He joined the club in January 2024 and won the K League 1 title and Korean FA Cup with them.
How many caps has Kim Tae-hwan earned for South Korea?
Kim Tae-hwan has earned 31 international caps for South Korea. He represented his country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
What trophies has Kim Tae-hwan won in his career?
He has won 5 K League 1 titles (2010, 2012, 2022, 2023, 2025), the AFC Champions League (2020), the FA Cup (2014, 2025), the K-League Cup (2010), and the EAFF E-1 Championship (2019).
