Wolves’ Hwang dedicates first goal of the season to late grandfather

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan scored his first goal of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Everton, dedicating his strike to his late grandfather, a veteran of the Korean War.

Hwang, deployed as a central striker in Wolves’ third league fixture of the season at Molineux, cancelled out Beto’s seventh-minute opener with a well-taken equaliser in the 21st minute, converting Marshall Munetsi’s cross from the right.

The South Korean international marked the goal with an emotional tribute, kissing his wrist – where he has tattoos of his grandparents’ names – before pointing skywards in honour of his grandfather, Hwang Yong-rak, who served in the 1950-53 conflict.

Earlier in the week, the 28-year-old shared the news of his grandfather’s passing on Instagram, posting a heartfelt message:

“My grandfather was always reliable and reassuring ever since I was young. He always stayed by my side, protected me and taught me to do what’s right. It felt unbelievable and amazing when he told me about the war he actually fought in, and I was so proud that someone like him was my grandfather.

What I’ve done as a national team player doesn’t even come close to what he did, but I hope I was able to make him proud in some small way.”

With both parents working for a major construction company, Hwang was largely raised by his grandparents. Following South Korea’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Portugal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – where he scored the decisive winner to secure qualification for the round of 16 – Hwang went straight to his grandparents’ home and presented them with his Player of the Match award.

Everton edge five-goal encounter

Despite Hwang’s leveller, Wolves were unable to avoid a third consecutive league defeat. Everton restored their advantage through Iliman Ndiaye in the 33rd minute before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall extended the lead early in the second half.

Rodrigo Gomes struck back for the hosts in the 79th minute, but Wolves were unable to find an equaliser, slipping to a 3-2 defeat.

It marks a troubling start for the West Midlands club, who opened the season with a 4-0 loss to Manchester City and a 1-0 reverse against Bournemouth.

Hwang’s role this season

The forward endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, registering just two goals and one assist in 25 appearances – a run of form that fuelled speculation over a possible move away from Molineux.

However, Hwang has featured in all three of Wolves’ league matches this season and captained the side in Tuesday’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over West Ham.

He will next be in action when Wolves travel to Newcastle United on 13 September. The attacker will have a short break beforehand, having not been selected for South Korea’s squad for their upcoming friendlies against the United States and Mexico.

Hwang has 73 international caps and most recently represented his country in June during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Kuwait.