Updated: 2026.03.26

Joonhee Yea, also known as Steve Yea ‘Joonhee’, is one of the most recognizable and successful poker players from South Korea. He was one of the early pioneers who helped make poker popular in Asia, proving that players from the region could compete with the best in the world. Known for his friendly personality and sharp focus, Steve has been a constant presence in the Asian poker scene for over fifteen years. Whether he is playing in Macau, Korea, or Las Vegas, he is always a threat to reach the final table. Even as the game has changed, he has managed to stay at the top of the leaderboards.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Joonhee Yea has total live earnings of over $3.3 million. One of his most famous results came early in his career in 2008, when he finished in 2nd place at the APT Macau Main Event for $250,000. This result helped put him on the map as a rising star in the international poker community.

He has also found plenty of success in the United States at the WSOP . In 2024, he had a massive run in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed event, where he finished in 3rd place to win $210,645. Later that same year, he traveled to the Bahamas for the WSOP Paradise Main Event and earned $180,300 for a 23rd-place finish. Steve is also a regular on the WPT circuit and cashes many times, including a 2nd-place finish at WPT Korea for $43,048. He has also been spotted competing in high-stakes tournaments like the EPT events.

Joonhee Yea poker — Joonhee Yea (credit: PokerNews photographer Rachel Kay Winter)

Biography & Poker Background

Joonhee Yea was born in South Korea and became interested in strategy games at a young age. Before the poker boom hit Asia, Steve was already traveling to find the best games. He started to gain real attention in the mid 2000s when he began posting consistent results in tournaments across the Philippines and Macau. Unlike some players who prefer to stay in the shadows, Steve has often acted as an ambassador for the game in Korea, helping to guide newer players. He is known for being incredibly hardworking, often playing long schedules during poker festivals. His longevity in the game is a result of his ability to stay disciplined and keep improving his skills year after year.

Play Style & Strategy

Joonhee Yea is known for a balanced and patient style of play. He is very good at staying calm under pressure, which is why he has so many deep runs in large field tournaments. While he can be aggressive when the situation calls for it, he is mostly respected for his excellent “hand reading” abilities. He pays close attention to how his opponents behave and uses that information to make difficult folds or big calls. This steady approach has allowed him to avoid the big swings that many other professional players go through. He doesn’t rely on flashy moves, but instead focuses on making the most profitable decision in every single hand.

If you want to follow Steve Yea as he hunts for more titles in 2026, you can see his updated career statistics and results here: