Kim Tae-hyun has quietly become one of the most reliable full-backs in South Korean football.
This article covers his estimated net worth, salary at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, career earnings, and everything you need to know about his journey to the top of K League 1.
Kim Tae-hyun’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Tae-hyun (김태현) |
| Date of Birth | December 19, 1996 |
| Age | 29 |
| Place of Birth | Daejeon, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Weight | 77 kg |
| Position | Full-back |
| Current Club | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (K League 1) |
| Jersey Number | 77 |
| Turned Professional | 2018 |
| International Career | South Korea national team (2025–) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $300,000 |
| Annual Salary (est.) | ~KRW 237 million (~$175,000) |
Early Life and Career
Kim Tae-hyun was born on December 19, 1996, in Daejeon, South Korea — a city with a strong footballing culture that produced several K League professionals.
Like many Korean players of his generation, he developed his game through the country’s well-structured youth football pathway, honing his skills at the academy level before entering professional football.
He turned professional in 2018 when he joined Ansan Greeners in K League 2. Starting life as a full-back, Kim showed early promise as a player comfortable in both defensive and attacking phases.
His ability to cover ground quickly and contribute in transition made him a useful squad member from the outset, even at the second tier of Korean football.
The early phase of his career was one of gradual progression. He spent time at Seoul E-Land in 2019 before returning to Ansan Greeners in 2020, where he recorded two goals in 25 league appearances — a strong return for a full-back and a sign of his growing confidence going forward.
Kim Tae-hyun made his professional debut with Ansan Greeners in 2018, and over his early career, transferred to Seoul E-Land FC before eventually joining Jeonnam Dragons in 2021.
Professional Career
Kim Tae-hyun’s career took a significant step forward when he joined Jeonnam Dragons in 2021.
In the 2021 season, Kim Tae-hyun played in 30 games for Jeonnam Dragons, performing as a key player for the team, and led the club to win the FA Cup that year, earning a spot in the AFC Champions League.
That FA Cup triumph was a landmark moment — not just for the club, but for Kim personally, as it put him on the radar of bigger K League 1 sides.
He remained with Jeonnam Dragons through 2022, making 37 league appearances and adding another goal.
His consistent performances earned him a military service draft to Gimcheon Sangmu in 2023–2024, where he continued to develop in the top flight of Korean football.
On July 31, 2024, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors acquired Kim Tae-hyun from Jeonnam Dragons.
The move to one of South Korea’s most storied clubs was the reward for years of steady development. He initially joined on loan before signing permanently ahead of the 2025 season.
His first full season at Jeonbuk was a major success. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors won the 2025 K League 1 title — their 10th championship — while also capturing the Korea Cup, completing a domestic double.
Kim Tae-hyun contributed 28 league appearances that season, cementing his place as a key rotation player in a title-winning squad. He also received his first call-up to the South Korean national team in 2025, marking the peak of his career so far.
Kim Tae-hyun’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kim Tae-hyun’s has an estimated net worth of $300,000.
He built this wealth through professional football contracts across South Korea’s K League 2 and K League 1, progressing from lower-tier clubs to one of the most well-funded clubs in Korean football — Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Contract
Kim Tae-hyun signed a permanent contract with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ahead of the 2025 season after his loan spell from mid-2024. The exact contract length and guaranteed figures have not been made public.
According to AiScore’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors squad data, his market value is currently estimated at €750,000 — a significant rise from when he was playing in K League 2.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is one of the top spenders in the K League. According to OneFootball’s K League salary report for the 2025 season, Jeonbuk ranked second in total salary expenditure with KRW 20.14 billion for the year, making it a highly attractive destination for domestic players.
Salary
Kim Tae-hyun’s exact salary has not been publicly disclosed. However, using official K League salary benchmarks, a realistic estimate is possible.
The average annual salary for domestic K League 1 players in 2025 was KRW 237.818 million — approximately $175,000 USD at 2025 exchange rates.
As a regular starter and national team player at a top-spending club, Kim Tae-hyun would plausibly earn at or above that average. An estimated annual salary of KRW 250–280 million is financially consistent with his profile.
Jeonbuk Hyundai’s average annual salary per player in 2024 was KRW 483.351 million, though that figure includes high-earning foreign players and veterans.
As a domestic full-back still building his profile, Kim Tae-hyun would earn below the club average.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Estimated Salary (KRW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ansan Greeners | K League 2 | ~KRW 50 million |
| 2019 | Seoul E-Land | K League 2 | ~KRW 50 million |
| 2020 | Ansan Greeners | K League 2 | ~KRW 60 million |
| 2021 | Jeonnam Dragons | K League 2 | ~KRW 80 million |
| 2022 | Jeonnam Dragons | K League 2 | ~KRW 90 million |
| 2023 | Gimcheon Sangmu (draft) | K League 2 | Military service stipend |
| 2024 | Gimcheon Sangmu / Jeonbuk (loan) | K League 1 | ~KRW 150 million |
| 2025 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | ~KRW 260 million |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ansan Greeners | K League 2 | 18 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | Seoul E-Land | K League 2 | 11 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | Ansan Greeners | K League 2 | 25 | 2 | — |
| 2021 | Jeonnam Dragons | K League 2 | 29 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | Jeonnam Dragons | K League 2 | 37 | 1 | — |
| 2023 | Gimcheon Sangmu | K League 2 | 21 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | Gimcheon Sangmu | K League 1 | 13 | 2 | — |
| 2024 | Jeonbuk (loan) | K League 1 | 13 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 28 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| Career Total | 199+ | 5+ | — |
FAQs
What is Kim Tae-hyun’s net worth?
Kim Tae-hyun’s estimated net worth is approximately $300,000. He earned this through professional contracts in K League 2 and K League 1, including his current deal with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
What club does Kim Tae-hyun play for?
He plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in K League 1, South Korea’s top football division. He joined permanently in 2025 after an initial loan spell in mid-2024 and wears the number 77 shirt.
Has Kim Tae-hyun played for the South Korean national team?
Yes. Kim Tae-hyun earned his first senior international call-up for South Korea in 2025, recognizing his consistent form at club level and his domestic double-winning season with Jeonbuk.
What position does Kim Tae-hyun play?
He plays as a full-back. His versatility and ability to contribute both defensively and in attack has made him a reliable option across his career at multiple clubs in the K League.
What trophies has Kim Tae-hyun won?
His major career honours include the 2021 Korean FA Cup with Jeonnam Dragons and the 2025 K League 1 title and 2025 Korea Cup with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where the club completed a domestic double.
