iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

K1 clubs I'm interested in watching this season • Jeju SK - dark horse for Final A • Jeonbuk - potential trio of Oberdan, Kang Sang-yun, and Kim Jin-gyu • Incheon - return to K1 • FC Seoul - solid squad on paper • Gangwon - young but competitive team

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

🆕 2026 K League 1 Preview: Breaking Down Each Club’s Most Intriguing Offseason Move Inside: • Picks for all 29 K1 & K2 clubs • Jeonbuk refueling for another title run • Transfers with big shoes to fill Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

🆕 5 Multinational Players to Watch for South Korea Inside: • '09 mezzala from Scandinavia • a rare Korean in Serie A • a tri-national center back Full story below 👇

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Reposted by Tae Tak

Michael Welch @mhwelch1211.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

The KFA's decision doesn't make sense. They're saying that player injuries and players not getting released for a midseason tournament paper over the cracks of Lee Min-sung's poor result at the U23 Asian Cup. Those 2 issues will not go away at the 2026 Asian Games.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

🆕 UP NXT #2: Jeonbuk Hyundai's Kim Su-hyung - '07 Ball Playing CB Inside: • Intriguing passer at 18 • New manager Chung Jung-yong • Player comparisons: shades of a certain left-footed Korean international CB Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

🆕 The Curious Case of Oh Hyeon-gyu Thought this might be a good time to talk about him given his links to Fulham. Inside: • His profile & production in Europe • Ex-Gangwon striker Franko Kovacevic • "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

🆕 Is Versatility Quietly Hindering Korean Players? Inside: • The double-edged sword of versatility • Lee Kang-in & Luis Enrique • Misprofiling, Championship wingers, and more Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

🆕 Seeing Football Differently: Lessons from the NBA Inside: • Moreyball and the analytics revolution • How spacing translates across basketball and football • Guardiola's system on display vs Newcastle Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

🆕 Why K League 2 Could Be a Fun Football Manager Save in 2026 and Beyond Inside: • Revisiting FM nostalgia • A sleeping giant's potential revival • Ambitious projects and major rule changes Full piece below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

🆕 My Way-Too-Early South Korean U23 Squad for the 2026 Asian Games With the Asian Cup less than a week away, I broke down the potential AG roster. Inside: • My full 22-man team + reasoning • Debating the 3 over-age wildcards • Picking my best XI Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

🆕 10 Things on my 🎄 X-Mas Wish List: Korean Football Edition I talk about: • Coupang Play coverage • Bae Jun-ho & Eom Ji-sung • The next generation • Raising the bar in Korean football • and more . . . Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

🆕 5 Lessons I've Learned in my First Full Year as a Professional Football Scout What's inside: • What makes the best collaborations • No, I am not Rodri • Managing environments Full story below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

I grew up reading @johnduerden.bsky.social's articles in Asian football, so for him to recommend my Substack newsletter is an absolute honor. Thank you John. Make sure to follow his work as well!

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

I still think he should have left Wolves in the summer. The Eredivisie could have been interesting. Had some interest from PSV

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Physicality + technique can go a long way. Just ask Hwang Hee-chan. Early on he was raw: erratic decisions, inconsistent passing, frustrating to watch at times. But his strength & ball striking were always a threat. Things started to click once the game slowed down for him.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Confidence & trust shape careers. Look at Hong Hyun-seok, one of the most reliable playmakers in Belgium a few years ago. 800 league minutes in the past 2 years. He lacks confidence right now, and he's always been a bit of a confidence player. The poor guy badly needs a loan.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Next year's K League 2 looks fun 👀 ⬇️ Suwon FC ⬇️ Daegu FC Suwon Samsung Seoul E-Land Seongnam FC Jeonnam Gimpo Busan Chungnam Asan Hwaseong Gyeongnam Cheongju FC Cheonan City Ansan 🆕 Gimhae FC 2008 🆕 Yongin FC 🆕 Paju Frontier

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

With Bucheon beating Suwon FC in the playoff, next year's K League 1 is set: Jeonbuk Daejeon Gimcheon Pohang Gangwon FC Seoul Gwangju FC Anyang Ulsan Jeju ⬆️ Bucheon ⬆️ Incheon

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Poyet is standing with Taricco in solidarity, his staff will leave after today's cup final unfortunately.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

I have zero tolerance for racism, but looking back at the clip again, I don't think Taricco was being racist. Just (rightfully) mad over a terrible call. Looks even worse when you consider Park Yong-woo was suspended only one game for actually being racist.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

What an embarrassment for the K League that Gus Poyet is leaving Jeonbuk after a title win bc of a referee's fragile ego & the league's inability to admit their wrongs. Hopefully this is the catalyst for change because the league needs it after this year. Horrible PR.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

🆕 South Korea’s Best Pure Finisher (Not Named Son Heung-min) I broke down 🇰🇷’s top U25 goalscorers across Europe & Asia with a new 7-metric PFI model. What’s inside: • Son’s elite finishing profile • Oh Hyeon-gyu & Lee Kang-in's big numbers • Kim Min-su + others 👀 Link 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

K League Season 🔚 • Sad to see Daegu relegated despite Cesinha's 24 league G/A • Ulsan escapes relegation playoffs • Sabbag crowned top scorer (17) • Cesinha + Lee Dong-gyeong most assists (12) • Incheon United ⬆️ If you missed it, here's my end of season piece below 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Jo Jin-ho vs Trabzonspor 50/53 accurate passes (see map below) 94% passing 2/3 successful dribbles 3/4 long balls 4 tackles 8 recoveries 7/13 ground duels won Elite performance in Konyaspor's 3-1 away loss. Very underrated player.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

2025 #KLeague 1 Season Review + Award Picks With the end of the season looming, my new Substack post covers: • How Gus Poyet led Jeonbuk back to the top🏆 • Cesinha doing Cesinha things (as always) • My Best XI + award selections Link 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Kim Min-su scored a goal vs Castellon yesterday, continuing to play like one of FC Andorra's top players at 19. 🥇Leads the team in: Goals (4) Assists (3) Succ. dribbles per 90 (2.25) There's a reason I've been raving about him since last year. Great to see him make the most of his chances.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Please support my work by subscribing, my hope is that we'll hit 40 by the end of the year! 🔗 open.substack.com/pub/taeguksc...

open.substack.com

A Need for Servers, not "Self-servers" in Korean Football

How Korean football can take the next step with selfless direction

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

🆕 A Need for Servers, not "Self-Servers" in Korean Football Korean football's biggest issue isn't talent. It's selfishness & short-term vision. A results-driven culture has bred: • Pragmatist coaches • Shortsighted decisions • Inefficient recruitment Link 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Cheers, much appreciated 🙏

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Reposted by Tae Tak

HwaTing Sports Podcast @hwatingsports.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I gave your Substack a shout-out on today's episode when I discussed the 3 intl games this week!

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

🔗 open.substack.com/pub/taeguksc... Enjoy the read, and have a happy fall! My favorite time of the year 🍁

open.substack.com

KNT November International Preview: Bolivia & Ghana

a look into South Korea's opponents for November

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

🇰🇷 🍂 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 👇

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Sidenote: today's FIFA+ commentator had a tough time with Korean names. Called Kim Ye-geon Lee Bin at one point 😂

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Glad Baek Gi-tae was able to find a way to get Kim Ji-sung + Kim Ye-geon on the pitch together. Turnovers were an issue at the U17 Asian Cup. While not infallible, those two + addition of Kim Do-min help a lot in possession.

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

🇨🇮 STANDOUTS • Obli Mederic: athletic front-footed CB • Dan Dos Yeboue: lanky ball winner, solid mix of possession skills + athleticism • Hubert Yao: 190 cm tall winger, flashes of potential but a bit raw

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

🇰🇷 STANDOUTS • Kim Ji-sung: scored a wonder goal, should've had an assist • Lim Ye-chan: did well with a tough tactical role & inverting often, picked up an assist • Kim Eun-seong: drew a late penalty, offered much-needed size out wide

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

THINGS TO IMPROVE • Ball retention, progression: seemed a bit unnerved by Ivorian length/power in 1st half • CB duo has been solid this tournament, but can still improve timing & communication • Kim Ye-geon's gravity still vital, but he's yet to score or assist so far

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Tae Tak @taegukscout.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

THE GOOD • Efficient goalscoring continues: 3G from 8 shots • Discipline and a compact defense made the difference between the two sides • Substitute impact: 2G, 1 penalty drawn

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