Korea Poker SPI Review: Top Ten Korean Poker Players

The 2025 poker season has served as a powerful testament to the rising dominance of the East Asian circuit, with the top ten Korean poker players establishing themselves as some of the most disciplined and high-performing tactical minds in the industry. According to the Somuchpoker Poker Index (SPI) , the 2025 leaderboard highlights a year where Korean professionals combined massive volume in regional Asian stops with high-stakes surgical precision on the global stage.

The following table showcases the top ten Korean poker players of 2025, detailing the consistency and raw earning power that defined their seasons.

2025 SPI Score: South Korea Top Ten

Player Profiles

1. Jeeweon Kim

Finishing at the summit of the top ten Korean poker players is Jeeweon Kim , whose 2025 season was a masterclass in relentless volume. Kim accumulated a massive 2025 SPI Score of 22,592 by navigating a grueling schedule of 63 events. With 58 “In The Money” finishes, his consistency is virtually unmatched in the region. His efforts resulted in SPI earnings of $233,130, driven by deep runs in nearly every major festival held in Vietnam, Taiwan, and Jeju.

Kim’s ability to cash in diverse formats, from “Run It Twice” and “Hyper Turbos” to standard Main Events, demonstrates a versatile skill set. Kim experienced a career-defining moment, scoring a career-best cash of TWD 1,564,000 (~$47,515) with a 4th-place finish in the Zodiac Snake Main Event at ZSOP 2025 Taipei , marking the highlight of his year. In late 2025, he continued his grind at the APT Championship Taipei 2025, adding multiple cashes to his record and solidifying his status as a regular threat in Asian fields.

2. Jaegeol Cho

Ranked second among the top ten Korean poker players is the legendary Jaegeol Cho . Known for his background in professional esports, Cho applied his strategic depth to a staggering 76 events in 2025. He reached a 2025 SPI Score of 21,487 and recorded a group-high 65 cashes. His total SPI earnings of $161,965 underscore a “grinder” mentality that has made him a household name in the Korean community.

Cho maintains a high-volume tournament schedule, demonstrating an ability to succeed across various formats, from major main events to high-speed turbo tournaments. His largest career cash stands at $16,123, which he earned when he secured the runner-up position in the Single Re-Entry event at the APT Championship Taipei 2025 .

3. Seungmook Jung

Seungmook Jung secures the third spot with a 2025 SPI Score of 19,973. Jung was remarkably efficient, generating the highest financial return among the top three with SPI earnings of $452,943. By focusing on 11 elite festivals, he maintained a high-stakes presence that allowed him to outclass fields in Super High Roller events throughout the year.

With over $2.3 million in total live earnings, Seungmook Jung currently ranks 9th on the South Korea All Time Money List. His 2025 highlight came from the Players Series Taiwan Championship 2025 , where he triumphed in the Super High Roller Championship for the first-place prize of TWD 2,625,000 (~$80,145). While impressive, his career-best score was achieved at the 2022  World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, where he finished 61st out of 8,663 entries for a payday of $145,800.

4. Sung Jin Yun

Occupying the fourth position in the top ten Korean poker players, Sung Jin Yun recorded a strong 2025 SPI Score of 16,421. Yun turned 56 event entries into 42 cashes, proving to be one of the most resilient competitors on the circuit. His performance resulted in SPI earnings of $302,997, cementing his reputation as a high-volume threat in both mid-stakes and championship events.

Yun ranks within the top 60 on the South Korea All Time Money List with nearly $500,000 in total live earnings. In 2025, Yun demonstrated exceptional consistency, particularly on the Asian Poker Tour (APT). His triumphs include winning back-to-back titles in Manila, a 1st-place finish in the APPT Hyper Turbo High Roller for PHP 727,420 (~$12,500) and another victory in a Hyper Turbo event for PHP 350,394 (~$6,000). Additionally, he secured a 9th-place finish in the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Taipei Single Day High Roller for over $16,900 and a 4th-place finish in the WPT Prime Taiwan High Roller for $12,102. His career-best live cash of TWD 1,712,000 (~$55,950) came in Asian Poker Tour (APT) Taipei 2025 , where he finished 6th in the record-breaking APT High Roller.

5. Yohwan Lim

The world-renowned Yohwan “BoxeR” Lim takes the fifth spot in the top ten Korean poker players with a 2025 SPI Score of 16,100. Lim continues to bridge the gap between esports fame and poker mastery, attending 10 festivals to secure SPI earnings of $407,950. His calculated, high-pressure tournament strategy remains one of the most effective in the game, leading to 34 cashes across 43 events.

Lim applied the tactical brilliance successfully in 2023 that earned him the title of “The Terran Emperor” to the high-stakes tournament circuit. With nearly $2 million in total live tournament earnings, he currently ranks 12th on the South Korea All Time Money List. Lim achieved a career-defining milestone in 2025, recording his best-ever live cash of $136,701 after finishing 5th in the 6-Handed event at the 56th World Series of Poker (WSOP) . His exceptional consistency throughout 2025 has propelled him to a career-high Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking of 281st in the world.

6. Jihwan Kim

Jihwan Kim holds the 6th spot with a 2025 SPI Score of 14,555 among the top ten Korean poker players. Kim displayed a perfect “In The Money” ratio in 2025, recording 37 cashes in exactly 37 events played, a statistical anomaly that highlights his survival skills in tournament structures. This efficiency led to SPI earnings of $115,595.

Known for his consistent presence in the Asian tournament circuit and widely recognized as a regular in both domestic and international mid-to-high stakes events, Kim’s career-best live cash of TWD 698,000 (~$23,744) was achieved in the Main Event at the 18th Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) .

7. Hyundong Lee

Ranked 7th, Hyundong Lee is a specialist who made a significant impact in 2025 despite a more selective schedule. He achieved a 2025 SPI Score of 13,661 and generated SPI earnings of $382,690. His ability to capitalize on high-value prize pools in major Asian stops kept him firmly within the elite tier of the national rankings.

With nearly half a million in total live earnings, Lee’s major winnings came from his spectacular run in 2025. His crowning achievement in 2025 arrived at the WPT Prime Taiwan 2025 . Lee topped a massive field of 1,470 entries to capture the WPT Prime title and win a career-best prize of TWD 6,038,460 (~$212,005). This victory also secured him a seat at the prestigious WPT World Championship at the Wynn Las Vegas.

8. Jaejoong Kim

Jaejoong Kim takes the 8th position among the top ten Korean poker players with a 2025 SPI Score of 13,371. Attending 14 festivals, Kim proved to be one of the most active travelers on the circuit. His steady participation resulted in 39 cashes and SPI earnings of $103,153, reflecting a year of hard-earned consistency.

With over $200,000 in total live earnings, Kim’s career reached a significant milestone in 2025, a year that accounted for over $91,000 of his lifetime winnings and saw him surpass the $100,000 earnings mark. His 2025 momentum reached its peak at the APT Championship Taipei 2025, where he secured a 2nd-place prize of TWD 566,800 (~$18,785) in the Super High Roller event. Impressive as it is, Kim’s career-best cash stands at $23,099 that he earned in the APT Main Event at the Asian Poker Tour Manila 2024 .

9. Wooseok Kim

Wooseok Kim ranks 9th with a 2025 SPI Score of 13,261. He was exceptionally active throughout the season, recording 48 cashes across 59 events. His SPI earnings of $113,587 were the result of a dedicated campaign across 10 festivals, where he frequently appeared at final tables in the Southeast Asian region.

With total live tournament earnings of over $1.1 million, Kim belongs to the elite group of players who have surpassed the million-dollar milestone in live cashes. His career-best cash of $131,803 was achieved at the Sydney Champs 2025, where he finished 2nd in the Main Event.

10. Suya Lee

Rounding out the top ten Korean poker players is Suya Lee with a 2025 SPI Score of 12,532. Lee displayed a tireless work ethic, participating in a group-leading 18 festivals. His relentless pursuit of tournament glory resulted in 33 cashes and SPI earnings of $106,611, cementing her status as one of Korea’s most persistent competitors.

Lee has accumulated over $500,000 in total live earnings, and his career-best live cash of $137,576, which he earned in the Main Event at the WFP Sparta, Seongnam 2023, highlighting his status as a high-stakes threat. His 2025 moment reached its peak at the Manila Megastack 22 , where he took home PHP 1,260,000 (~$22,040) for his 5th-place finish in the Main Event.

Where to Play in Korea

The gaming landscape in South Korea is unique, as land-based casinos are primarily reserved for foreign passport holders, with one notable exception.

• Seoul Hubs: The Seven Luck Casino branches at Gangnam COEX and Dragon City, along with Paradise Walkerhill , offer 24/7 cash game action and smaller regional tournament series throughout the year.
• Paradise City (Incheon) : Situated near Incheon International Airport, this world-class integrated resort frequently hosts major international tours, offering a premium experience for the global poker community.
• LES A Casino (Jeju) : Jeju Island remains a massive destination for poker, with Landing Casino at Resorts World Jeju serving as a frequent battleground for high-stakes series.

Korea’s Poker Festivals

• Asian Poker Tour (APT) Korea: The APT has established a massive footprint in Korea, with stops in Incheon and Jeju attracting the top ten Korean poker players and international pros alike.
• World Poker Tour (WPT) Korea: WPT festivals at Paradise City have become iconic, often breaking entry records and providing a platform for Korean players to showcase their skills on a global stage.
• Korea Poker Cup (KPC): A home-grown festival that focuses on the domestic and regional community, providing high-quality tournament structures that have helped elevate the local standard of play.

Advancing into 2026, the race for the next Player of the Year is already heating up. While the top ten Korean poker players from 2025 set a high bar, a new leader has emerged in the early 2026 standings. Zee Hyo Jung currently leads the national charge, ranking 18th on the global 2026 SPI leaderboard, the highest position currently held by any South Korean player.

Jung’s rapid ascent is largely due to his victory in the TMT 19 Main Event in Taipei in February 2026, where he outlasted a massive field of 8,066 entries to claim a $215,200 top prize . With his 2025 performance serving as a foundation for this early success, he has already accumulated a 2026 SPI Score of 5,522.

With established veterans like Jeeweon Kim and Jaegeol Cho building on their previous successes and rising stars like Jung achieving massive SPI earnings on the international stage, the competition promises to push the limits of Korean poker strategy to even greater heights.