Tae Tak
@taegukscout.bsky.social
🇰🇷🇺🇸
PFSA/FA Certified
Football scout, writer, freelance creative
Scout for 360 Scouting
Previously: YouthScout1ng & Eyeball (Scandinavia)
South Korean ⚽
https://x.com/taegukscout
http://substack.com/@taegukscout
#KNT #KLeague
PFSA/FA Certified
Football scout, writer, freelance creative
Scout for 360 Scouting
Previously: YouthScout1ng & Eyeball (Scandinavia)
South Korean ⚽
https://x.com/taegukscout
http://substack.com/@taegukscout
#KNT #KLeague
Pinned
Tae Tak
@taegukscout.bsky.social
· Nov 21
I appreciate all of the follows so far. Just to introduce myself, I'm a Korean-American football scout. Most of my focus is on Korean football: #KLeague, 🇰🇷 prospects, etc.
Here's a recent example of my work:
Incheon United's Kim Gun-hee
Here's a recent example of my work:
Incheon United's Kim Gun-hee
Reposted by Tae Tak
I gave your Substack a shout-out on today's episode when I discussed the 3 intl games this week!
November 14, 2025 at 1:49 AM
I gave your Substack a shout-out on today's episode when I discussed the 3 intl games this week!
🇰🇷 🍂 KNT November International Preview: Bolivia & Ghana
Another Thursday, another Substack post.
Starting tomorrow night, South Korea plays Bolivia & Ghana. I preview the matchups + opposition analysis:
🇧🇴 Korea must stop Miguelito
🇬🇭 Set pieces could be key
Link 👇
Another Thursday, another Substack post.
Starting tomorrow night, South Korea plays Bolivia & Ghana. I preview the matchups + opposition analysis:
🇧🇴 Korea must stop Miguelito
🇬🇭 Set pieces could be key
Link 👇
November 13, 2025 at 12:34 PM
🇰🇷 🍂 KNT November International Preview: Bolivia & Ghana
Another Thursday, another Substack post.
Starting tomorrow night, South Korea plays Bolivia & Ghana. I preview the matchups + opposition analysis:
🇧🇴 Korea must stop Miguelito
🇬🇭 Set pieces could be key
Link 👇
Another Thursday, another Substack post.
Starting tomorrow night, South Korea plays Bolivia & Ghana. I preview the matchups + opposition analysis:
🇧🇴 Korea must stop Miguelito
🇬🇭 Set pieces could be key
Link 👇
U17 World Cup
🇰🇷 South Korea 3-1 Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
Strong end to the group stage for Baek Gi-tae's boys, who finish 2nd in Group F with 7 points. Kim Ji-sung scored a worldie & the subs were impactful.
My MOTM: Kim Ji-sung
#U17WC
🇰🇷 South Korea 3-1 Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
Strong end to the group stage for Baek Gi-tae's boys, who finish 2nd in Group F with 7 points. Kim Ji-sung scored a worldie & the subs were impactful.
My MOTM: Kim Ji-sung
#U17WC
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
U17 World Cup
🇰🇷 South Korea 3-1 Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
Strong end to the group stage for Baek Gi-tae's boys, who finish 2nd in Group F with 7 points. Kim Ji-sung scored a worldie & the subs were impactful.
My MOTM: Kim Ji-sung
#U17WC
🇰🇷 South Korea 3-1 Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
Strong end to the group stage for Baek Gi-tae's boys, who finish 2nd in Group F with 7 points. Kim Ji-sung scored a worldie & the subs were impactful.
My MOTM: Kim Ji-sung
#U17WC
📩 Mailbag #1.1: "How Korea's youth football system differs from Japan's (and more)"
Continuing our look into 🇰🇷's youth development:
💬 Chat with @rbyryo.bsky.social on 🇯🇵
⚽ On Hong Myung-bo & the potential MLS pathway
Read below 👇
Continuing our look into 🇰🇷's youth development:
💬 Chat with @rbyryo.bsky.social on 🇯🇵
⚽ On Hong Myung-bo & the potential MLS pathway
Read below 👇
November 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
📩 Mailbag #1.1: "How Korea's youth football system differs from Japan's (and more)"
Continuing our look into 🇰🇷's youth development:
💬 Chat with @rbyryo.bsky.social on 🇯🇵
⚽ On Hong Myung-bo & the potential MLS pathway
Read below 👇
Continuing our look into 🇰🇷's youth development:
💬 Chat with @rbyryo.bsky.social on 🇯🇵
⚽ On Hong Myung-bo & the potential MLS pathway
Read below 👇
📩 Mailbag #1: "How does the South Korean youth football system work?"
In my newest Substack post, I explore:
• Grassroots development
• The school & academy pipeline
• Reliance on tournaments
• and more . . .
Link below 👇
In my newest Substack post, I explore:
• Grassroots development
• The school & academy pipeline
• Reliance on tournaments
• and more . . .
Link below 👇
October 30, 2025 at 12:18 PM
📩 Mailbag #1: "How does the South Korean youth football system work?"
In my newest Substack post, I explore:
• Grassroots development
• The school & academy pipeline
• Reliance on tournaments
• and more . . .
Link below 👇
In my newest Substack post, I explore:
• Grassroots development
• The school & academy pipeline
• Reliance on tournaments
• and more . . .
Link below 👇
❓Ask Me Anything
I've been writing on Substack for almost three weeks now. Would love to know what you've been curious about in Korean football lately.
Feel free to drop your questions or topics below or DM me.
I'll answer some in this week’s post 👇
I've been writing on Substack for almost three weeks now. Would love to know what you've been curious about in Korean football lately.
Feel free to drop your questions or topics below or DM me.
I'll answer some in this week’s post 👇
October 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
❓Ask Me Anything
I've been writing on Substack for almost three weeks now. Would love to know what you've been curious about in Korean football lately.
Feel free to drop your questions or topics below or DM me.
I'll answer some in this week’s post 👇
I've been writing on Substack for almost three weeks now. Would love to know what you've been curious about in Korean football lately.
Feel free to drop your questions or topics below or DM me.
I'll answer some in this week’s post 👇
It's Thursday, and that means my new Substack piece is up.
In this one, I talk about:
• Why it's crucial that the 🇰🇷 KNT maximizes Lee Kang-in's talents
• What tactical challenges Korea may face in the future as a result
• How the NT can answer some of these questions
👇
In this one, I talk about:
• Why it's crucial that the 🇰🇷 KNT maximizes Lee Kang-in's talents
• What tactical challenges Korea may face in the future as a result
• How the NT can answer some of these questions
👇
October 23, 2025 at 12:06 PM
It's Thursday, and that means my new Substack piece is up.
In this one, I talk about:
• Why it's crucial that the 🇰🇷 KNT maximizes Lee Kang-in's talents
• What tactical challenges Korea may face in the future as a result
• How the NT can answer some of these questions
👇
In this one, I talk about:
• Why it's crucial that the 🇰🇷 KNT maximizes Lee Kang-in's talents
• What tactical challenges Korea may face in the future as a result
• How the NT can answer some of these questions
👇
Been saying that Bae Jun-ho isn't a natural goalscoring LW & the Kuwait match showed why. Solid playmaking, but inconsistent finishing.
Right now, he’s best as a half-space AM/CM: excellent at carrying the ball, making smart decisions, & linking play in the final third.
Right now, he’s best as a half-space AM/CM: excellent at carrying the ball, making smart decisions, & linking play in the final third.
June 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Been saying that Bae Jun-ho isn't a natural goalscoring LW & the Kuwait match showed why. Solid playmaking, but inconsistent finishing.
Right now, he’s best as a half-space AM/CM: excellent at carrying the ball, making smart decisions, & linking play in the final third.
Right now, he’s best as a half-space AM/CM: excellent at carrying the ball, making smart decisions, & linking play in the final third.
Solid showing, albeit against an outmatched Kuwaiti side.
Kim Ju-sung & Lee Han-beom offered a glimpse of 🇰🇷's young CB depth: 146/149 passing (9/11 long balls) combined.
Oh Hyeon-gyu, Lee Kang-in, Bae Jun-ho & Jeon Jin-woo: 3 goals and 2 assists as the starting front four.
#KNT
Kim Ju-sung & Lee Han-beom offered a glimpse of 🇰🇷's young CB depth: 146/149 passing (9/11 long balls) combined.
Oh Hyeon-gyu, Lee Kang-in, Bae Jun-ho & Jeon Jin-woo: 3 goals and 2 assists as the starting front four.
#KNT
June 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Solid showing, albeit against an outmatched Kuwaiti side.
Kim Ju-sung & Lee Han-beom offered a glimpse of 🇰🇷's young CB depth: 146/149 passing (9/11 long balls) combined.
Oh Hyeon-gyu, Lee Kang-in, Bae Jun-ho & Jeon Jin-woo: 3 goals and 2 assists as the starting front four.
#KNT
Kim Ju-sung & Lee Han-beom offered a glimpse of 🇰🇷's young CB depth: 146/149 passing (9/11 long balls) combined.
Oh Hyeon-gyu, Lee Kang-in, Bae Jun-ho & Jeon Jin-woo: 3 goals and 2 assists as the starting front four.
#KNT
🔎 One to Watch: Suwon Samsung's Ko Jong-hyun
Scouting Profile ⬇️
Scouting Profile ⬇️
June 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
🔎 One to Watch: Suwon Samsung's Ko Jong-hyun
Scouting Profile ⬇️
Scouting Profile ⬇️
Son Heung-min could be made available after Ange's sacking.
A short-term Bundesliga return would be a full-circle moment, but unsure of his interest given his past comments on racism in 🇩🇪.
He may be slowing down, but there’s still gas in the tank. One last dance in Europe?
A short-term Bundesliga return would be a full-circle moment, but unsure of his interest given his past comments on racism in 🇩🇪.
He may be slowing down, but there’s still gas in the tank. One last dance in Europe?
June 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Son Heung-min could be made available after Ange's sacking.
A short-term Bundesliga return would be a full-circle moment, but unsure of his interest given his past comments on racism in 🇩🇪.
He may be slowing down, but there’s still gas in the tank. One last dance in Europe?
A short-term Bundesliga return would be a full-circle moment, but unsure of his interest given his past comments on racism in 🇩🇪.
He may be slowing down, but there’s still gas in the tank. One last dance in Europe?
World Cup bound for the 11th consecutive time!
South Korea punches their ticket to North America next June! 🇰🇷✈️🌎
The last time South Korea didn’t qualify (1982):
- The K-League didn’t exist
- Son Heung-min wasn’t born
- 🇰🇷 was under a dictatorship
South Korea punches their ticket to North America next June! 🇰🇷✈️🌎
The last time South Korea didn’t qualify (1982):
- The K-League didn’t exist
- Son Heung-min wasn’t born
- 🇰🇷 was under a dictatorship
June 5, 2025 at 9:44 PM
World Cup bound for the 11th consecutive time!
South Korea punches their ticket to North America next June! 🇰🇷✈️🌎
The last time South Korea didn’t qualify (1982):
- The K-League didn’t exist
- Son Heung-min wasn’t born
- 🇰🇷 was under a dictatorship
South Korea punches their ticket to North America next June! 🇰🇷✈️🌎
The last time South Korea didn’t qualify (1982):
- The K-League didn’t exist
- Son Heung-min wasn’t born
- 🇰🇷 was under a dictatorship
Funny how both Park Ji-sung and Lee Kang-in won their first UCL without playing in the final.
Crazy that the little guy from Shootdori would grow up to emulate Park & lift the trophy in similar circumstances.
Hope we see him play and win one someday.
Congrats to LKI & PSG! 🏆
Crazy that the little guy from Shootdori would grow up to emulate Park & lift the trophy in similar circumstances.
Hope we see him play and win one someday.
Congrats to LKI & PSG! 🏆
June 1, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Funny how both Park Ji-sung and Lee Kang-in won their first UCL without playing in the final.
Crazy that the little guy from Shootdori would grow up to emulate Park & lift the trophy in similar circumstances.
Hope we see him play and win one someday.
Congrats to LKI & PSG! 🏆
Crazy that the little guy from Shootdori would grow up to emulate Park & lift the trophy in similar circumstances.
Hope we see him play and win one someday.
Congrats to LKI & PSG! 🏆
Jeonbuk have been insane away from home this season. Defensive powerhouses so far 🧱
TWO goals conceded in eight matches. 19 points from a maximum of 24.
Their only loss? A 1-0 defeat against Ulsan back on March 1st.
The rematch is in Jeonju tomorrow.
TWO goals conceded in eight matches. 19 points from a maximum of 24.
Their only loss? A 1-0 defeat against Ulsan back on March 1st.
The rematch is in Jeonju tomorrow.
May 30, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Jeonbuk have been insane away from home this season. Defensive powerhouses so far 🧱
TWO goals conceded in eight matches. 19 points from a maximum of 24.
Their only loss? A 1-0 defeat against Ulsan back on March 1st.
The rematch is in Jeonju tomorrow.
TWO goals conceded in eight matches. 19 points from a maximum of 24.
Their only loss? A 1-0 defeat against Ulsan back on March 1st.
The rematch is in Jeonju tomorrow.
Reposted by Tae Tak
Year after year, Belgian clubs find uncut gems from unusual places, often at undervalued prices, polish them up then sell them for significant profits. Their recruitment model is perhaps the most diverse in football, and certainly among the most successful.
Llew Davies reveals how they do it.
Llew Davies reveals how they do it.
How to recruit like the Belgian Pro League
Diverse and youthful recruitment defines the Belgian Pro League and has set it on a path to crash the Big Five - this is how it’s done
scoutedftbl.com
May 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Year after year, Belgian clubs find uncut gems from unusual places, often at undervalued prices, polish them up then sell them for significant profits. Their recruitment model is perhaps the most diverse in football, and certainly among the most successful.
Llew Davies reveals how they do it.
Llew Davies reveals how they do it.
I would post here more often if there was a decent audience for 🇰🇷⚽
Don't really see that unfortunately
Don't really see that unfortunately
May 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I would post here more often if there was a decent audience for 🇰🇷⚽
Don't really see that unfortunately
Don't really see that unfortunately
Seol Young-woo's Crvena zvezda just suffered its first league loss (one assist for him), but PSG still has a shot at history with four matches left. No Ligue 1 side has ever gone an entire season undefeated.
Lee Kang-in could be immortalized as part of the first 🇫🇷 Invincibles.
Lee Kang-in could be immortalized as part of the first 🇫🇷 Invincibles.
April 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Seol Young-woo's Crvena zvezda just suffered its first league loss (one assist for him), but PSG still has a shot at history with four matches left. No Ligue 1 side has ever gone an entire season undefeated.
Lee Kang-in could be immortalized as part of the first 🇫🇷 Invincibles.
Lee Kang-in could be immortalized as part of the first 🇫🇷 Invincibles.
Seems like Hong Hyun-seok was brought in as a long-term Lee Jae-sung replacement. Limited minutes make sense with LJS in form.
Both have similar defensive flaws, so starting them together doesn’t suit Mainz’s press. Still think Hong’s Bundesliga-level, just not the right fit.
Both have similar defensive flaws, so starting them together doesn’t suit Mainz’s press. Still think Hong’s Bundesliga-level, just not the right fit.
April 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Seems like Hong Hyun-seok was brought in as a long-term Lee Jae-sung replacement. Limited minutes make sense with LJS in form.
Both have similar defensive flaws, so starting them together doesn’t suit Mainz’s press. Still think Hong’s Bundesliga-level, just not the right fit.
Both have similar defensive flaws, so starting them together doesn’t suit Mainz’s press. Still think Hong’s Bundesliga-level, just not the right fit.
Incheon's Kim Gun-hee and Gwangju's Byeon Jun-soo remind me of each other. Both strong U23 CBs with a solid blend of dueling and ability on the ball, plus the occasional mental lapse.
Clean that up, and more concrete overseas interest could start to materialize.
Clean that up, and more concrete overseas interest could start to materialize.
April 22, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Incheon's Kim Gun-hee and Gwangju's Byeon Jun-soo remind me of each other. Both strong U23 CBs with a solid blend of dueling and ability on the ball, plus the occasional mental lapse.
Clean that up, and more concrete overseas interest could start to materialize.
Clean that up, and more concrete overseas interest could start to materialize.
Could be a wild K-League weekend coming up.
• Ulsan vs Gangwon - last season's champions vs runners-up
• Daejeon vs Gimcheon - current 1st vs 2nd
• FC Anyang vs Suwon FC / Pohang vs Jeju - toss ups
• Gwangju vs FC Seoul - 4th vs 5th
• Jeonbuk vs Daegu - 🇰🇷 vs 🇧🇷
• Ulsan vs Gangwon - last season's champions vs runners-up
• Daejeon vs Gimcheon - current 1st vs 2nd
• FC Anyang vs Suwon FC / Pohang vs Jeju - toss ups
• Gwangju vs FC Seoul - 4th vs 5th
• Jeonbuk vs Daegu - 🇰🇷 vs 🇧🇷
April 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Could be a wild K-League weekend coming up.
• Ulsan vs Gangwon - last season's champions vs runners-up
• Daejeon vs Gimcheon - current 1st vs 2nd
• FC Anyang vs Suwon FC / Pohang vs Jeju - toss ups
• Gwangju vs FC Seoul - 4th vs 5th
• Jeonbuk vs Daegu - 🇰🇷 vs 🇧🇷
• Ulsan vs Gangwon - last season's champions vs runners-up
• Daejeon vs Gimcheon - current 1st vs 2nd
• FC Anyang vs Suwon FC / Pohang vs Jeju - toss ups
• Gwangju vs FC Seoul - 4th vs 5th
• Jeonbuk vs Daegu - 🇰🇷 vs 🇧🇷
The South Korean U17s played arguably their best football of the tournament for 98 minutes vs. Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, they ran out of gas & conceded the match tying penalty with one minute left.
Football is ruthless, all it takes is one mistake. Onto the World Cup.
#AFCU17
Football is ruthless, all it takes is one mistake. Onto the World Cup.
#AFCU17
April 17, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The South Korean U17s played arguably their best football of the tournament for 98 minutes vs. Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, they ran out of gas & conceded the match tying penalty with one minute left.
Football is ruthless, all it takes is one mistake. Onto the World Cup.
#AFCU17
Football is ruthless, all it takes is one mistake. Onto the World Cup.
#AFCU17
Physical upside is important for every player, but it's an X-factor for Korean players who want to make it to the top level.
Kim Min-jae: physicality
Son Heung-min: pace
Park Ji-sung: stamina
Cha Bum-kun: athleticism
Unless you have Lee Kang-in level technique, it's tough.
Kim Min-jae: physicality
Son Heung-min: pace
Park Ji-sung: stamina
Cha Bum-kun: athleticism
Unless you have Lee Kang-in level technique, it's tough.
April 16, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Physical upside is important for every player, but it's an X-factor for Korean players who want to make it to the top level.
Kim Min-jae: physicality
Son Heung-min: pace
Park Ji-sung: stamina
Cha Bum-kun: athleticism
Unless you have Lee Kang-in level technique, it's tough.
Kim Min-jae: physicality
Son Heung-min: pace
Park Ji-sung: stamina
Cha Bum-kun: athleticism
Unless you have Lee Kang-in level technique, it's tough.
Jesse Lingard has been a bit unlucky with assists. He's leading the K-League 1 in xA with 3.0, but has no assists this season.
Other "unlucky" K1 players:
Matheus Oliviera -1.7 (1.7 xA, 0 A)
Kim Kang-guk -1.4 (1.4 xA, 0 A)
Actual assist leaders:
Lee Dong-gyeong, Anderson (3)
Other "unlucky" K1 players:
Matheus Oliviera -1.7 (1.7 xA, 0 A)
Kim Kang-guk -1.4 (1.4 xA, 0 A)
Actual assist leaders:
Lee Dong-gyeong, Anderson (3)
April 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Jesse Lingard has been a bit unlucky with assists. He's leading the K-League 1 in xA with 3.0, but has no assists this season.
Other "unlucky" K1 players:
Matheus Oliviera -1.7 (1.7 xA, 0 A)
Kim Kang-guk -1.4 (1.4 xA, 0 A)
Actual assist leaders:
Lee Dong-gyeong, Anderson (3)
Other "unlucky" K1 players:
Matheus Oliviera -1.7 (1.7 xA, 0 A)
Kim Kang-guk -1.4 (1.4 xA, 0 A)
Actual assist leaders:
Lee Dong-gyeong, Anderson (3)
Some encouraging signs from the three South Koreans in the Championship.
Yang Min-hyeok (0.57 G/A per 90)
Bae Jun-ho (season high 8 G/A)
Eom Ji-sung (1.54 successful dribbles per 90)
End product (especially the latter two) still needs work, but they're improving in other areas.
Yang Min-hyeok (0.57 G/A per 90)
Bae Jun-ho (season high 8 G/A)
Eom Ji-sung (1.54 successful dribbles per 90)
End product (especially the latter two) still needs work, but they're improving in other areas.
April 12, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Some encouraging signs from the three South Koreans in the Championship.
Yang Min-hyeok (0.57 G/A per 90)
Bae Jun-ho (season high 8 G/A)
Eom Ji-sung (1.54 successful dribbles per 90)
End product (especially the latter two) still needs work, but they're improving in other areas.
Yang Min-hyeok (0.57 G/A per 90)
Bae Jun-ho (season high 8 G/A)
Eom Ji-sung (1.54 successful dribbles per 90)
End product (especially the latter two) still needs work, but they're improving in other areas.
Strikers who can create their own offense with 1 v 1 actions > strikers whose scoring largely depends on others' creativity.
BUT the caveat is that elite finishing/movement trumps all. Personally I tend to look for movement strikers the most.
Depends on team composition though.
BUT the caveat is that elite finishing/movement trumps all. Personally I tend to look for movement strikers the most.
Depends on team composition though.
April 9, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Strikers who can create their own offense with 1 v 1 actions > strikers whose scoring largely depends on others' creativity.
BUT the caveat is that elite finishing/movement trumps all. Personally I tend to look for movement strikers the most.
Depends on team composition though.
BUT the caveat is that elite finishing/movement trumps all. Personally I tend to look for movement strikers the most.
Depends on team composition though.