Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2025.12.22

Junyoung Kim is a South Korean professional poker player who has become a frequent competitor across the Asian poker circuit, notably finding success in regional tours like the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and the Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT).

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, his total earnings stand at $30,849. While he is still building his resume on the international stage, he has demonstrated a consistent ability to reach final tables in competitive fields throughout Asia and the United States. His career-best score stands at $8,045. Notable recent results include a deep run in January 2023 at the KPL Planet event in Gyeonggi-do, where he finished 3rd in the KRW 300,000 No Limit Hold’em – KPL Universe for a payout of KRW 5,000,000 (∼$4,016).

In 2025, Kim has been particularly active in the Philippines and Taiwan. At the APT Manila Classic 2025, he secured a victory in the PHP 9,000 No Limit Hold’em – Super Hyper Turbo – Super Hold’em (Event #39) for PHP 128,323 (~$2,210). During the same series, he also finished 14th in the PHP 30,000 NL Hold’em – Freezeout for PHP 57,000 (~$985) and 18th in the PHP 30,000 Sunday Super Stack for PHP 47,000 (~$810). Additionally, he placed 6th in the PHP 10,000 NLH – 10/10/10 event at the Manila Megastack 23 for PHP 27,000 (~$460).

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from South Korea, Kim has spent the last several years traveling the global circuit to hone his tournament skills. He first made waves in 2018 with results in Vietnam and China under the Asia Poker League (APL) banner, including a 3rd place finish in the APL Xi’an Turbo 1 for CNY 5,400 (∼$783). Since then, he has transitioned into a regular at major South Korean stops, including the APL Seoul and the Korea Poker League (KPL). His trajectory reflects a dedicated grinder who has successfully moved from low-stakes regional events to mid-stakes international festivals, maintaining a presence in both the Asian and Las Vegas poker scenes.

Play Style & Strategy

Kim is known for a disciplined and patient tournament strategy, often excelling in the late stages of short-deck and turbo formats. His success in the APT Super Hyper Turbo and various “Planet” and “Universe” events in Korea suggests a player who understands the nuances of navigating high-variance, large-field structures. He effectively utilizes his experience from the Asian circuit to adapt to the more aggressive dynamics found in Las Vegas fields, balancing a fundamental approach with the exploitative adjustments necessary to survive deep into the money.

Recent Attendances