1. Early life and background
1.1. Childhood and education
Hwang Dae-heon was born on July 5, 1999, in Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea. He pursued his education through various stages, attending Anil Elementary School, Burim Middle School, and Buheung High School. He later graduated from Korea National Sport University. He is currently affiliated with the Gangwon Provincial Office. While studying, he also engaged in practical experience, completing a month-long student teaching practice at his alma mater, Buheung High School, in May 2021.
2. Career
Hwang Dae-heon's career as a short track speed skater is marked by a steady progression of achievements, including setting world records and securing multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.
2.1. Early career and breakthrough
Hwang Dae-heon emerged onto the international short track speed skating scene in 2016. At the ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup second event held in Salt Lake City, he achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new world record in the 1000 metres repechage race, recording a time of 1 minute, 20.875 seconds. This accomplishment was particularly notable as he was still a high school student at the time. In the same year, he earned his first individual senior gold medal at the 1000 metres event during the sixth World Cup series. He also won a gold medal in the men's 1000 metres at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer.
He made his Olympic debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. There, he secured a silver medal in the men's 500 metres event, finishing with a time of 39.854 seconds.
2.2. Major achievements and world records
Hwang Dae-heon continued to build on his early success, securing multiple prestigious titles. His personal bests include 39.688 seconds in the 500 metres (2019), 1 minute, 20.875 seconds in the 1000 metres (world record set in 2016), 2 minutes, 9.219 seconds in the 1500 metres (2022), and 5 minutes, 40.218 seconds in the 3000 metres (2018).
At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, he earned a gold medal in the men's 1500 metres event, recording a time of 2 minutes, 9.219 seconds. He also contributed to the South Korean team's silver medal win in the men's 5000 metres relay. During these games, he also set an Olympic record for the men's 1000 metres event.
His achievements extend to the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships. In 2018, at the championships held in Montreal, Canada, he clinched two gold medals in the 500 metres and the 5000 metres relay, along with a bronze medal in the overall standings. The following year, at the 2019 championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, he continued his dominance by winning gold in both the 500 metres and the 5000 metres relay. He also secured silver medals in the 1000 metres and the overall competition. More recently, in 2024, he won a silver medal in the 5000 metres relay at the World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Hwang also holds the distinction of being an inaugural winner of the Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships. In 2020, at the event in Montreal, he achieved a remarkable feat, winning five gold medals across multiple events: the 500 metres, 1000 metres, 1500 metres, 5000 metres relay, and the overall title.
2.3. Career setbacks
Despite his successes, Hwang Dae-heon has faced several career setbacks. In March 2022, he contracted COVID-19, which led to his withdrawal from the 2021-22 season's World Championships. The lingering effects of the virus, commonly referred to as long COVID, impacted his performance. As a result, he failed to win any of the qualification events for the 2022-23 season national team.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic affected major international competitions. The 2020 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, scheduled to be held in Seoul, South Korea, were cancelled. Similarly, the 2021 championships in Dordrecht, Netherlands, proceeded without South Korea's participation due to the pandemic. The 2021 and 2022 Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships were also cancelled due to the pandemic.
3. Public activities and personal life
Beyond his competitive career, Hwang Dae-heon has engaged in various public activities and revealed aspects of his personal life.
3.1. Broadcasting appearances
Hwang Dae-heon has appeared on several South Korean television programs. In 2022, he was a cast member on tvN's variety show With the Silk of Dohpo Flying, appearing alongside Kim Jong-kook, Ji Hyun-woo, Noh Sang-hyun, and Joo Woo-jae. He also made guest appearances on popular talk shows, including tvN's You Quiz on the Block and MBC's Radio Star, where he appeared with fellow short track skaters Kwak Yoon-gi, Lee June-seo, Park Jang-hyuk, and Kim Dong-wook. Additionally, he was a guest on SBS's Master in the House, appearing alongside Choi Min-jeong.
3.2. Personal characteristics and interests
Hwang Dae-heon is known for his unique trademark gesture: biting his goggles and waving to the audience during skater introductions. He has publicly expressed his respect for fellow skaters Noh Jin-kyu and Viktor An. Physically, he is noted for being among the tallest short track skaters, standing at 5.9 ft (1.8 m) and weighing 161 lb (73 kg), alongside Park Jang-hyuk and Lee June-seo.
His personal interests include playing video games, particularly League of Legends. He is also a well-known fan of Blackpink member Jennie, famously displaying shyness when asked to record a video message for her. He uses a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 mobile phone. Hwang has stated his fondness for BBQ's Golden Olive Chicken, and after winning a gold medal at the Olympics, he reportedly received a lifetime supply of the chicken.
3.3. Controversies and cyberbullying
Following his gold medal victory in the 1500 metres event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Hwang Dae-heon became the target of severe online harassment. He received indiscriminate malicious comments, known as cyberbullying, from Chinese netizens who reportedly refused to accept the legitimate results of the race.
4. Awards and recognition
Hwang Dae-heon has received several accolades throughout his career, recognizing his athletic achievements.
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anyang City Youth Award | 2022 | Anyang City's Youth Award in Athletics | Hwang Dae-heon | - |
5. Results
The following tables detail Hwang Dae-heon's performance and standings in major international competitions.
5.1. Olympic Games
Only top 5 finishes are shown.
| Year | Location | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |  Pyeongchang | 500 m |  Silver |
| 5000 m relay | 4th | ||
| 2022 |  Beijing | 1500 m |  Gold |
| 5000 m relay | Silver |
5.2. World Cup
Only top 5 finishes are shown.
| Season | Event | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 1000 m | 4th | |
| 5000 m relay | 5th | ||
| 2017-18 | 500 m | 4th | |
| 1000 m |  Bronze | ||
| 1500 m | Gold | ||
| 5000 m relay | Silver | ||
| 2018-19 | 500 m | 4th | |
| 1000 m | 5th | ||
| Mixed 2000 m relay | 5th | ||
| 2019-20 | 1000 m | 4th | |
| 5000 m relay | Silver | ||
| Mixed 2000 m relay | Bronze | ||
| 2020-21 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2021-22 | 500 m | 5th | |
| 1000 m | Silver | ||
| 5000 m relay | Silver | ||
5.3. World Championship
Only top 5 finishes are shown.
| Year | Location | Event | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |  Montreal | 500 m | Gold | |
| 5000 m relay | Gold | |||
| Overall | Bronze | |||
| 2019 |  Sofia | 500 m | Gold | |
| 1000 m | Silver | |||
| 5000 m relay | Gold | |||
| Overall | Silver | |||
| 2020 | Seoul | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2021 |  Dordrecht | South Korea did not participate due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
5.4. Four Continents Championship
Only top 5 finishes are shown.
| Year | Location | Event | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Montreal | 500 m | Gold | |
| 1000 m | Gold | |||
| 1500 m | Gold | |||
| 5000 m relay | Gold | |||
| Overall | Gold | |||
| 2021 |  Salt Lake City | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2022 | ||||