How a Korean Midfielder Became a World Cup Star After Working Under Barak Bakhar

Hwang In-beom, the South Korea midfielder and Feyenoord player, became the hero of his country’s comeback against the Czech Republic in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup. He scored one goal and added an assist, and on Friday night he was set to try to do the same against Mexico as South Korea chased a second win at this tournament.

The article says Hwang, 29, is one of South Korea’s most important players, with 74 caps and seven international goals. Although he is not usually a prolific scorer, he has become more influential for the national team than he has been at club level, where his output in the past three seasons was six goals combined. He was excused from military service after helping South Korea win the 2018 Asian Games, and his commitment to the national team remains central to his career.

A major part of his rise came under Israeli coach Barak Bakhar at Red Star Belgrade. Bakhar and assistant Guy Tzarfati used him in several midfield roles, from defensive midfielder to a more advanced free role, and the article says the coach quickly formed a connection with him. Hwang produced one of the standout performances of Bakhar’s Red Star tenure in a 3-2 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League, when he scored, assisted Alexander Katai, and was named man of the match despite the defeat.

Bakhar said, “I am very happy for him. I am not surprised by his success,” while Tzarfati said Hwang rejected missing a national-team camp even when injured, saying “there is no such thing” for him. Hwang later moved from Red Star to Feyenoord for 7 million euros, and the article says that fee may now look low if he attracts another big move from one of Europe’s top leagues.