On July 8, 1992, he was born in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.

He received considerable attention abroad as he went through the U-17 national team in 2009 and received lip service as the highest-ever super-special prospect with a four-year contract with Hamburg SV in 2010.

On 30 October 2010, he scored his debut goal for the Bundesliga at the age of 18, signaling the birth of a new star.