Jeong Woo-yeong biography highlights the dynamic career of a talented South Korean attacking midfielder and forward who has established a sustained presence in German football. Born on September 20, 1999, in Incheon, South Korea, Jeong boasts an incredible work rate, blistering pace, and a versatile tactical profile. Capable of playing on the wings or as a second striker, his relentless pressing makes him an ideal fit for modern, high-intensity European systems.

Currently applying his trade with 1. FC Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga, Jeong has proven to be a valuable rotational piece and impact substitute. During the 2025-2026 season, he contributed crucial late goals and assists, eventually helping his club secure a respectable mid-table finish. After battling through minor injuries, he returned to form late in the campaign, demonstrating his characteristic resilience.

Internationally, Jeong has been a prominent figure for South Korean youth and senior teams, famously finishing as the top goalscorer during their Gold Medal run at the 2022 Asian Games. Despite his immense talent and eight years of Bundesliga experience, he narrowly missed out on selection for the final USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, showcasing the intense competition within the modern South Korean attacking rotation.

👤 Profile at a Glance

Full Name Jeong Woo-yeong
Nickname Woo
Date of Birth September 20, 1999
Age 26 years old
Birthplace Incheon, South Korea
Nationality South Korean
Profession Professional Soccer Player
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)
Education Incheon United Academy (2017)
Marital Status Single
Net Worth $5 Million (2026)

🎓 Education

Daegon Catholic High School (2015-2017) - Attended high school while simultaneously starring for the Incheon United youth academy.

Incheon United Academy (2011-2017) - Developed his technical foundation in one of South Korea's premier developmental systems before making the leap to Europe.

💼 Career

Jeong Woo-yeong's professional journey began when he made a monumental move to European football in January 2018, signing with German giants Bayern Munich. He initially joined their under-19 squad before progressing to the reserve team, Bayern Munich II. In November 2018, he made his first-team debut in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first South Korean player to appear for Bayern Munich in the prestigious competition.

Seeking regular first-team minutes, Jeong transferred to SC Freiburg in 2019. After a brief adjustment period that included a loan spell back to Bayern Munich II, he established himself as a regular contributor for Freiburg in the Bundesliga. His high-energy pressing and off-the-ball movement perfectly suited the German top flight, leading to a permanent transfer to VfB Stuttgart in 2023.

In the summer of 2024, Jeong joined 1. FC Union Berlin, aiming to secure a more consistent starting role. Throughout the 2025-2026 Bundesliga campaign, he was utilized primarily as an impact substitute. Despite a mid-season injury absence, he returned strong, scoring a crucial goal against FC Augsburg on the final day of the season to help Union Berlin secure an 11th-place finish.

Internationally, Jeong debuted for the senior South Korea national team in 2021. He experienced massive success with the U-23 squad, winning a Gold Medal at the 2022 Asian Games where he finished as the tournament's top scorer with eight goals, earning a vital military exemption.

He continued to represent the senior team through the World Cup qualification cycle. However, in a heartbreaking turn of events, Jeong was ultimately omitted from head coach Hong Myung-bo's final 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite his extensive Bundesliga experience and strong finish to the domestic season.

🏠 Personal Life

Jeong Woo-yeong was born and raised in Incheon, South Korea, where his early passion for football was nurtured within the local academy system. Moving to Germany as a teenager required immense mental toughness, and he quickly learned the language and adapted to the culture, helping him survive the notoriously rigorous European developmental pathways.

Off the pitch, Jeong is known for his upbeat personality and massive following on social media, frequently sharing his football triumphs and life in Germany with over 130,000 followers on Instagram. He remains very close to his South Korean teammates playing across Europe and is heavily involved in promoting the sport back home.

As of 2026, Jeong remains single and completely focused on his athletic career. While missing the World Cup roster in 2026 was a significant disappointment, he has publicly maintained a positive outlook, dedicating his offseason to further refining his game in the Bundesliga and aiming to reclaim his spot in the national team setup for future tournaments.

🏆 Achievements & Awards

  • Asian Games Gold Medal (2022/2023)
  • Asian Games Top Goalscorer (2022/2023)
  • 3. Liga Champion with Bayern Munich II (2019-20)
  • First South Korean to play for Bayern Munich

💬 Notable Quotes

Scoring in the Bundesliga is always a massive honor, but I want to prove that I can be a consistent starter in this league.

— Jeong Woo-yeong

Winning the Asian Games and finishing as the top scorer was a dream come true for me and my family.

— Jeong Woo-yeong

Setbacks are part of football. You just have to keep your head down, work harder in training, and wait for your next opportunity.

— Jeong Woo-yeong

❓ People Also Ask

Jeong Woo-yeong is famous for being a dynamic South Korean attacking midfielder who plays in the Bundesliga for Union Berlin.
Born on September 20, 1999, Jeong Woo-yeong is 26 years old as of 2026.
His estimated net worth in 2026 is around $5 Million, backed by his eight years of professional contracts in German football.
He was born in Incheon, South Korea, and played for the Incheon United academy before moving to Bayern Munich.
As of 2026, Jeong Woo-yeong is single and focuses strictly on his athletic career in Germany.
No, despite a strong finish to his Bundesliga season, he was omitted from South Korea's final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup.