1. Overview
Lee Tae-seok (이태석I TaeseokKorean; born July 28, 2002) is a South Korean professional footballer who primarily plays as a left back, left winger, or right back. He currently plays for K League 1 club Pohang Steelers and is also a member of the South Korea national football team. He is notable as the son of former South Korean footballer Lee Eul-yong.
2. Personal Life
Lee Tae-seok's personal background is deeply rooted in football, stemming from his family connections and his early exposure to the sport through media appearances.
2.1. Family Background
Lee Tae-seok is the first son of Lee Eul-yong, a prominent South Korean footballer who notably participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. His lineage connects him to a family with a strong history in professional football.
2.2. Early Life and Media Appearances
During his childhood, Lee Tae-seok gained early media exposure as a participant in the third season of the popular South Korean television program Shoot Dori. He appeared alongside other young talents who would later become notable footballers, including Lee Kang-in, Seo Yo-seop, and Kim Seong-min.
3. Club Career
Lee Tae-seok began his professional club career with FC Seoul before joining Pohang Steelers, where he has continued to develop his skills and contribute to team successes.
3.1. FC Seoul
Lee Tae-seok joined FC Seoul in 2021. He made his professional league debut for the club on April 7, 2021, in a match against Ulsan Hyundai FC. During his tenure with FC Seoul, he made a total of 93 appearances across all competitions.
3.2. Pohang Steelers
Lee Tae-seok currently plays for Pohang Steelers in the K League 1, having joined the club in 2024. With Pohang Steelers, he was part of the squad that won the Korea Cup in 2024. As of late 2024, he has made 17 appearances and scored 1 goal for the club.
4. International Career
Lee Tae-seok has represented South Korea at various youth levels and has since made his debut for the senior national team.
4.1. Youth Career
Lee Tae-seok was a member of the South Korea national under-17 football team that participated in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. His involvement in this international tournament marked a significant step in his development as a young footballer.
4.2. Senior National Team
On November 4, 2024, Lee Tae-seok received his first call-up to the senior South Korea national football team by head coach Hong Myung-bo. He made his international A-match debut on November 14, 2024, in a World Cup qualifier against Kuwait at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. He entered the match as a substitute for Lee Myung-jae in the 64th minute, contributing to South Korea's 3-1 victory.
5. Playing Style and Position
Lee Tae-seok is known for his adaptability across different defensive and wide midfield roles.
5.1. Positional Versatility
Lee Tae-seok demonstrates significant positional versatility on the field. While primarily deployed as a Left back or Left winger, he is also capable of playing as a Right back, showcasing his tactical flexibility and ability to adapt to different roles within the team's formation.
6. Career Statistics
The following tables detail Lee Tae-seok's professional club career statistics, including appearances and goals across various competitions.
6.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental (ACL Elite) | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| FC Seoul | 2021 | K League 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 19 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 29 | 0 | ||||
| 2023 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 31 | 0 | ||||
| 2024 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 14 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 89 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 93 | 0 | ||||
| Pohang Steelers | 2024 | K League 1 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 17 | 1 | |
| Career total | 100 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 1 | ||