South Korean powerhouse Ulsan HD is gearing up for the 2025 Club World Cup. They will be the only team representing their nation in this new version of the tournament. The club arrives on the global stage with a fresh look and a renewed sense of purpose.
Ulsan HD began its journey in 1983. That was the same year Korea’s professional football league started. The club was first called Hyundai Horang-i FC. This name honored its owner, Hyundai Heavy Industries. “Horang-i” means tiger in Korean. A tiger has always been part of the team’s badge.
In 2022, the club updated its identity. This change came because the parent company, the world’s biggest shipbuilding firm, also changed its name. So, Hyundai Horang-i FC became Ulsan HD.
The team’s crest also got a makeover. The yellow color, which used to share space with blue, was removed. The tiger image itself became sharper. The club said these changes made the emblem more elegant. They also wanted the tiger to look more aggressive. This reflects the team’s fierce attitude on the field.
Ulsan HD wears this updated crest with pride. The team holds three South Korean championship titles. They also benefit from the coaching insights of Portuguese assistant João Nuno Fonseca. But much of their hope rests on one key player: goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.
Jo Hyeon-woo is renowned for his quick reflexes between the posts. He proved his worth in Asian competitions for Ulsan. He recorded 10 clean sheets across 32 games. His reputation grew significantly on the international stage.
The world remembers his performance in the 2018 World Cup. He famously shined against the reigning champions, Germany. His six vital saves kept South Korea’s goal untouched. This helped his team secure a memorable 2-0 victory over the German side. After that tournament, under coach Paulo Bento, he worked on improving his play with the ball at his feet. He came back even stronger.
Jo Hyeon-woo, now 33 years old and 1.89 meters tall, never moved to a European club. Yet, he continued to impress in the K League. He has won multiple best goalkeeper awards. In 2024, he was even named the K League 1 MVP. His steady hands are crucial for Ulsan HD. They rely on him to achieve their goals, both in their home league and on the international stage.