Hyun Joo-yup

Hyun, who was a sixth grade student in Seoul Dosung Elementary School, applied for Whimoon Middle School and went to a tryout for the school’s basketball team. Hyun was accepted to Whimoon Middle School but was rejected to be a part of the basketball squad since he failed to meet the required physique and skills.[7] Hyun, who was a freshman of Whimoon Middle School, walked into the basketball tryout again, and in his second attempt, he was finally accepted. Hyun started playing basketball at the age of 14.[5]

Hyun’s friend, Seo Jang-hoon, whose first sports was baseball, picked up his interest in basketball around the same time as him. The inexperienced duo practiced together at the corners of the court. Hyun, who only stepped inside the court in his second year, was mostly benched during his first year together with Seo due to the lack of skills.[5][7] The two benchwarmers would end up going to the swimming pool to watch the game from outside the court.[8][9][10] Later on, the pair led their high school team to winning basketball matches.[11]

In Hyun’s high school playing career, he is noted for setting the record for most points scored in a high school basketball game, a record that still stands to this day, scoring 63 points without playing full-time.[5]

In an episode of the SBS TV show Finding Genius which aired on February 3, 2016, Hyun revealed that basketball player Seok Joo-il (Korean: 석주일), a teammate in middle school and high school, called him and Seo and he told the two of them to quit basketball since they don’t have any talent in playing. After hearing Seok’s words, Hyun said that it became his motivation to improve.[9][10]

Determined to become good at basketball, Hyun taught himself by watching videos of his favorite basketball figure, NBA star Magic Johnson, who inspired him to play.[12] In admiration for Johnson, he wore number 32.

Hyun garnered the attention of college scouts and was sought by prestigious universities in South Korea because of his promising ability. Billed as a high valued asset for his advantage to leap and shoot the ball as a big man, including his untapped potential in other aspects of the game, Hyun’s recruitment received a wide media coverage.[13] The nation’s top two basketball colleges, Korea University and Yonsei University, were out in a fierce competition to land Hyun, who was a high school senior, on their teams. In a press conference on March 31, 1993, Hyun’s advancement to Korea University was made public.[14][15]

In an interview, Hyun shared that he initially wanted to join Yonsei University, the leading college basketball team at that time, because he can win a championship ring easily without putting a lot of effort. However, his father, a graduate of Korea University, advised him that looking for an easy path in his basketball career will not help him progress, but instead it will lead to his decline because he will be staying inside his comfort zone and will not be seeing any growth. After much thought, Hyun decided to join the Anamgol Tigers to challenge himself to grow and develop as a player and help the runner-up Korea University beat the winning Yonsei University.[5]

Due to excessive training and strenuous athletic movements to the knees which started during Hyun’s college career, he suffers from a condition called knee effusion, which occurs when too much fluid accumulates in the knee. Since then Hyun has been experiencing pain on his left knee.[18]

On September 20, 1996, shortly after Hyun arrived home from the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he was one of the best players in the tournament, he received surgery for the left ankle injury he incurred.[19][20]

Hyun was selected as the first overall pick in the 1998 KBL draft by the Cheongju SK Knights.[21][22] He signed a five-year rookie contract totaling ₩1 billion KRW.[23]

In Hyun’s debut match on November 14, 1998, he posted 26 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals, leading Cheongju SK Knights to a 95–94 season-opening win over the Daegu Tongyang Orions.[24]

In Hyun’s debut season, he scored double-digits in 24 consecutive games which is the KBL’s longest streak of double-digit scoring as a rookie.[25] He became the first ever rookie in the league to record a triple-double.[26][27] Hyun made history for being the first rookie named to the KBL All-Star. In his first All-Star Game, Hyun scored 6 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and tacked on 2 steals.[28][29] Since Hyun made it to the All-Star list, he was shortlisted as South Korea’s delegate to the first Asian Basketball Super League (ABSL) held from June 5 to July 16 in eight different cities of the participating countries, which includes Korea, China and Japan.[30]

In Hyun’s rookie season, he played in 34 games with averages of 23.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.[31]

During his second season, Hyun played 15 games for the Cheongju SK Knights and he recorded an average of 19.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.[31]

On the evening of December 24, 1999, the day before the season trade deadline, Cheongju SK Knights traded Hyun to the Gwangju Goldbank Clickers in exchange for Cho Sang-hyun and ₩4 million KRW.[32]

Hyun found out that he was traded from a reporter and was caught off-guard with the news. In an interview following his trade, Hyun expressed his disappointment towards the team’s coach for not giving him a heads up that a deal will be made.[32]

Hyun, who was traded in the middle of the season 1999–00 season, was named Player of the Month for January, receiving 38 out of 66 votes. During this month, he logged two triple-doubles and was ranked sixth in scoring (23.33 points per game), sixteenth in rebounds (7.5 rebounds per game) and second in assists (8.42 assists per game).[33][34][35]

Hyun was named to the All-Star list for the second year in a row.[36][37][38] He was also voted to the All-Star Best 5 by basketball commentators and reporters.[39][40]

For the remainder of the 1999–00 season, Hyun played 27 games with his new team, averaging 23.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game.[31]

Following Hyun’s debut with the Goldbank Clickers, the team relocated from Gwangju to Yeosu, becoming the Yeosu Goldbank Clickers.[41][42][43]

On February 14, 2001, Hyun, injured his right ankle and knee in a game against Daejeon Hyundai Gullivers.[44] On February 21, he was diagnosed with two broken right ankle ligaments, inflamed and torn right ankle tendons, myositis and a knee joint damage.[45] Hyun ended his 2000–01 season early with only 27 games played.[46] He finished the season, averaging 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.[31]

Hyun, who was supposed to make his third consecutive All-Star Game appearance, failed to participate in the event due to the right ankle injury he incurred.[47][48]

Hyun underwent surgery at Samsung Medical Center before joining the military.[12][18][49][50]

In June 2001, Hyun began his mandatory military service together with basketball players Shin Ki-sung (Korean: 신기성; Hanja: 申基成), a teammate from college and the national team, and Kang Hyuk (Korean: 강혁; Hanja: 姜赫), who was also a national team member. While in the military, Hyun was selected to play for the Sangmu or Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps.[51][52][53][54]

During the 2001–02 Basketball Festival (officially known as the Sewon Telecom Basketball Festival for sponsorship reasons), Hyun led the past year’s tournament runner-up to victory. On January 16, 2002, the Hyun-led Sangmu upset the Chung-Ang University in an 87–84 victory in the finals, ending their third championship winning streak. Hyun, who only scored 8 points in the first half, succeeded in a reverse layup at the end of the third quarter making the score 63–61. In the fourth quarter, Hyun scored 17 points helping Sangmu claim the title.[55][56][57] This led to people calling him "The Lord of the Military".[58][59][60] Hyun, who was still rehabbing the injuries he incurred in the previous year, logged a double-double — scoring 25 points and grabbing 17 rebounds — during the championship match. He was named the Finals MVP and received the Rebound Award.[55][56][57]

After his Sangmu championship, Hyun injured his left knee cartilage twice and received two surgeries in 2002. His first operation was on February 19 at Samsung Medical Center, Hyun underwent arthroscopic surgery on the left knee femur for his injured cartilage.[61] Hyun, who was still experiencing pain on his left knee and rehabilitating at that time, was highly discouraged by his doctor to take part in the 2002 Asian Games. Despite the doctor’s advice, Hyun still played and led South Korea to win its first gold medal in 20 years.[12][54] After his participation in the continental games in October, Hyun suffered from the same injury once more. On December 20, Hyun underwent his second left knee cartilage surgery at Samsung Medical Center.[53][62][63]

In 2003, Hyun failed to play for Sangmu as he incurred an injury on his left knee cartilage for the third time. Hyun’s case was considered alarming and risky since he received two operations in the previous year after suffering from the same injury twice. In a statement, Busan KTF Magic Wings Director Chu Il-seung (Korean: 추일승; Hanja: 秋壹勝) said that there was barely cartilage left in Hyun’s knee. Hence, performing the third left knee surgery will be complicated due to the difficult method of culturing and transplanting cartilage tissue. Hyun was advised by experts to get treatment abroad but was not able to do so since he was an active duty soldier. According to the South Korea law, active duty soldiers are only allowed to get treatment overseas if it is a fatal case that cannot be treated in Korea. Eventually, Hyun did not opt for a surgery, instead, he underwent rehabilitation program at Samsung Medical Center for his injured left knee cartilage.[63]

Hyun was discharged from the military in August 2003, after 26 months of mandatory service.[51][52][53][54]

After finishing his military service in 2003, Hyun returned to the Yeosu Goldbank Clickers whose named changed to Yeosu Korea Tender Purmi in 2001. Upon Hyun’s return, the team once again relocated, moving from Yeosu to Busan, becoming the Busan Korea Tender Maxten. However, due to financial difficulties, the team was sold to KTF. Hence, the change of name to Busan KTF Magic Wings.[41][42][43]

Hyun, who suffered from a right ankle injury in 2001 and a nagging left knee cartilage injury in the succeeding years, returned to the All-Star stage after 3 seasons. Hyun was voted to the 2004 All-Star Game by coaches, earning his third All-Star selection.[64][65][66]

Hyun played in 44 games during the 2003–04 season, he posted an average of 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.[31]

In 2004, Hyun was named Player of the Month for November, receiving 45 out of 73 votes. He averaged 13.7 points (ranked twenty-fourth), 3.4 rebounds (ranked twenty-seventh), 8.3 assists (ranked third) and 1.2 steals (twenty-fifth) per game during this month. Despite not being the leading player in points, rebounds, assists or steals, Hyun’s defensive ability made him the winning candidate. In particular, prolific tall shooters Seo Jang-hoon (of Seoul Samsung Thunders) and Kim Joo-sung (of Wonju TG Sambo Xers) could not score over 10 points against Hyun who was in charge of playing defense against them.[67][68]

In 2005, Hyun was selected to play in the first All-Star Game between the KBL and the CBA.[69][70][71] The first game was held in Seoul, South Korea on January 28, where South Korea won 85–82. The second game was held in Harbin, China on January 30, where the host country won 93–77.[72][73][74][75]

In the same year, Hyun was named to his fourth All-Star Game appearance. Hyun, who was voted by fans, made it to the All-Star Best 5 list after four seasons.[76][77][78][79]

During this season, he logged 13 double-doubles, the most for the forward position.[80][81] Hyun’s averages increased to 14.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game[31] and he was referred to as "Point Forward" for recording the most number of assists for the forward position and ranking second in the season’s assists leaders with a career-high 7.83 assists per game.[16][82][83]

With Hyun leading the team, the Busan KTF Magic Wings finished the season 32–22, showing a 13-game improvement from the previous year which helped them qualify for the playoffs after 2 years. Despite Hyun’s effort, the team was eventually eliminated by the Seoul Samsung Thunders after losing in the first two games. Hyun posted an average of 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game — all of which are his playoffs career-highs.[31]

Hyun came in second place in voting for the season MVP award with 16 votes.[84][85][86] After making it to the list of MVP candidates, Hyun was named to the 2005 KBL Best 5. The Best 5 consists of two guards, two forwards and one center. Hyun was selected for the forward position (alongside Kim Joo-sung).[87][88][89][90]

After the 2004–05 season, Hyun became a free agent. He signed a five-year deal with the Changwon LG Sakers.[91][92][93]

In Hyun’s first season with the Changwon LG Sakers, he received an annual salary of ₩360 million KRW, becoming the second highest paid player for the 2005–06 season (following Seo Jang-hoon of the Seoul Samsung Thunders with ₩380 million KRW).[91][92][93]

In 2006, Hyun was once again named to the South Korean roster for the second KBL-CBA All-Star, making it his second consecutive appearance.[94][95][96][97] The first game was held on January 22, in Seoul, South Korea where the host country won 96–86. The second game was on January 24, in Jiyuan, China where China won 104–85.[98][99]

Hyun, who was voted by coaches, made his fifth All-Star appearance.[100][101]

Hyun received the 2006 Best Player Award after being selected by the KBL referees and technical committee for being an exemplary player on the court.[82][102][103][104]

During this season, Hyun did not miss a single game, he played a career-high 54 games and he averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.[31]

On January 21, 2007, Hyun injured his left ankle and knee during a game against the Jeonju KCC Egis. On January 24, diagnosis revealed that he suffered from a left ankle sprain and a left knee meniscus injury.[105]

Hyun, who was hampered by injuries, appeared in 46 games and saw a decline in his season averages, posting 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. This was the first time he recorded a single-digit scoring average.[31]

Hyun delayed his knee surgery so he can participate in the semifinals of the playoffs against his former team, the Busan KTF Magic Wings.[3][4] Hyun averaged 12.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 4 games. The Changwon LG Sakers was eventually eliminated.[31]

On May 8, Hyun went under the knife for his third left knee cartilage surgery before getting married.[3][4]

Hyun was once again voted to the All-Star lineup by coaches, marking his sixth and last appearance.[106][107][108][109] He logged a game-high nine 3-point shots (alongside Seo Jang-hoon).[110]

Since Hyun postponed his surgery in the previous season, his condition worsened which affected his performance during the 2007–08 season.[50] Despite being plagued with injuries, Hyun played in 53 out of 54 games and he registered a career-low 7.9 points per game. His average for rebounds was the same as the previous year at 3.7, while his assists average increased to 4.0.[31]

The Changwon LG Sakers moved into the first round of the playoffs but was eventually eliminated by the Seoul Samsung Thunders after losing in the first two games. During the playoffs, Hyun averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.[31]

Due to his recurring left knee cartilage injury, Hyun lost the KBL Best 5 Award and recorded his worst performance in his eleven years of playing professional basketball.[50] Hyun, who appeared in 44 games, finished the season with career-low averages on scoring, rebounds and assists at 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.[31]

Hyun, who only played in 2 out of 4 games during the playoffs, registered an average of 6.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game — all of which are his playoffs career-lows. The Seoul Samsung Thunders eliminated the Changwon LG Sakers in the first round.[31]

During the offseason, on May 7, 2009, Hyun underwent knee arthroscopy, his fourth left knee cartilage surgery at Samsung Medical Center.[14][50][111]

After four left knee cartilage surgeries, Hyun decided to leave the hardwood. The Changwon LG Sakers announced Hyun’s retirement.[112][113][114]

Hyun, who had been rehabbing his knee and still had a year left on his contract with the Changwon LG Sakers, formally concluded his career after nine seasons, in a press conference on June 25, 2009.[14][111][115]

In 2012, when the KBL celebrated its twelfth anniversary, Hyun was selected to play for the Legend All-Star Game.[116] Hyun, who received the most fan votes, came in first place in the Dream Team (while Lee Sang-min was voted first in the Magic Team).[117][118][119][120]

In 2017, during the KBL’s twentieth anniversary, Hyun was named to the All-Time Legend 12. The award was given to four guards, six forwards and two centers. Hyun was selected as a Legend for the forward position (alongside Aaron Haynes, Johnny McDowell, Chun Hee-chul, Choo Seung-gyun and Moon Kyung-eun).[121][122]

Hyun first represented South Korea when he was selected to be a part of the South Korean national under-19 basketball team. He played at the 1992 Asian Basketball Confederation Under-18 Championship, now called FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship, in Beijing, where they won the silver medal, after losing in the final game to the tournament's host team, China, with a score of 80–93.[123]

Hyun competed for South Korea at the 1993 FIBA Under-21 World Championship, a now defunct age group competition, in Valladolid, where they finished in eleventh place after a 96–87 victory against Chinese Taipei in the classification round.[124][125] During the tournament, Hyun played in 5 out of 7 games, missing out on the match against Angola and France. He scored 8 points per game. On top of recording a 66.7% free throw percentage.[126]

Hyun was also a member of the South Korean squad that competed in the same tournament four years later. At the 1997 FIBA Under-21 World Championship in Melbourne, Hyun was the top scorer in the tournament with an average of 18.0 points per game.[127] He recorded a tournament-high 32 points against Australia on August 3, 1997.[128] He led the South Korean team in scoring, defensive rebounds and turnovers.[129] Hyun was once again the best player in the team, averaging 18.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 7 games, while shooting 41.1% from the field and 50% from the two-point line. In addition to posting a 73.1% free throw percentage.[130] South Korea finished in the ninth place after a 78–62 win against Egypt in the classification match.[131][132]

After competing for the South Korean junior team, Hyun was selected to play for the senior team. He was a part of the South Korean senior national basketball team for more than ten years and he regularly played from mid-1990s to mid-2000s. Hyun often wore number 9 and 15 when playing on the international stage. He became the second college freshman who was selected to play in the senior national team, following Hur Jae.

19-year-old college freshman Hyun, who was the youngest member of the team, made his debut for South Korea's senior men's national basketball team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto. In his debut match against Australia on August 4, 1994, he scored 6 points, grabbed 2 rebounds and dished out 1 assist. Hyun averaged 3.7 points and 3.7 rebounds over 3 games.[133] South Korea won in the semifinals against Egypt with 76–69, claiming the thirteenth rank in the tournament.[134][135]

In the 1998 FIBA World Championship held in the city of Athens and Piraeus, Hyun played for the South Korean squad in 4 out of 5 games, missing out on the match against Brazil. One of the best players, Hyun averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, on 50.0% shooting from the field and 66.7% shooting from the two-point line.[136] South Korea finished in the sixteenth place after a 75–72 loss to Senegal.[137][138][139]

Two months after Hyun debuted with the senior national basketball team, he was named to the 12-man South Korean roster for the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, where they finished runner-up, bringing home the silver medal in a 72–100 loss to China.[140]

In the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Hyun competed for South Korea, where they lost again in the gold medal game against rival team China, with a score of 92–112.[141][142][143]

Hyun, who was admitted in the military for mandatory service, represented South Korea in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan. Prior to the tournament, Hyun’s left knee cartilage was operated. Despite experiencing pain on his left knee and the doctor’s advice to not participate, Hyun led South Korea to snatch the gold medal from China, headed by NBA player Yao Ming, in a 102–100 final score victory.[144][145][146][147] Hyun, who succeeded in a layup shot with 4 seconds left in fourth quarter, tied the score to 90–90, forcing an overtime. Hyun then scored 6 points in the overtime, securing South Korea’s first Asian Games gold medal in 20 years since the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi.[148][149][150][151]

Hyun, who was in his second year of college, was named to the South Korean roster for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where he played in all 7 tournament games.[152] He was not only one of the best players of the team but also of the competition,[153] outperforming NBA players Charles Barkley in terms of points per game,[154] David Robinson in total points,[155] and Scottie Pippen in field goal shooting percentage.[156][157] Hyun led the South Korean national team in scoring and rebounds.[158] He averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting 56.8% from the field and 57.5% from the two-point line. In addition to posting an 82.1% free throw percentage.[159] South Korea finished in the twelfth place after they lost 61–99 against Angola in the classification round.[160][161]

Hyun played for the South Korean national team at the 1997 East Asian Games, hosted by his home country in Busan. South Korea lost in the gold medal game against Chinese Taipei, ranking them second in the competition.[162][163]

In 1997, Hyun, who was a college student, was once again tasked to represent South Korea in the continental games. Hyun won and gained the attention of the international audience when he shattered the backboard during the dunk competition at the All-Star Game of the 1997 ABC Champions Cup, now called FIBA Asia Champions Cup, in Jakarta.[164][165][166] After the show-stealing event, basketball organizations kept extra backboards in the arenas. Hyun is the only one who broke the backboard in Korean basketball history.

Hyun was named to the 12-man roster that represented South Korea in the 1995 ABC Championship in Seoul. They won the silver medal, after losing to China in the final game with 78–87.[167][168][169]

In the 1997 ABC Championship held in Riyadh, Hyun competed for the South Korean national team in a 78–76 victory against Japan in the finals, bringing home the gold medal.[170][171][172]

Hyun represented South Korea in the 1999 ABC Championship in Fukuoka, where they finished runner-up, after being defeated in the gold medal game by rival team China with a score of 45–63.[173][174][175]

Hyun last played for the South Korean squad during the 2005 FIBA Asia Championship, formerly named Asian Basketball Confederation Championship, in Doha. He played in all 8 matches, averaging 8.6 points per game and recording a 61.5% free throw percentage.[176] South Korea lost to Qatar, the tournament's host team, in the bronze-medal game, with a score of 77–89, ranking them fourth in the competition.[177][178][179][180][181]

Note: In 2001, Hyun was admitted to the army for mandatory service. He was discharged in 2003.

In February 2015, Hyun, who was active as a basketball commentator, appeared as a guest on the award-winning and most-watched Korean variety show Infinite Challenge, where he got the nickname "Super Power."[212][213][214] Hyun’s first entertainment show appearance was a smash hit, his antics, wit and humor impressed the audience, turning him into a TV sensation.[215] Following his appearance, Hyun's name constantly appeared in Naver's real-time search.[216]

Since then, Hyun has been constantly appearing on TV shows as a guest, a panelist and a cast member. Hyun expressed that the aim of his TV appearances is to help rekindle the public’s interest in the sport of basketball,[217] which was overshadowed by the popularity of football, baseball and golf.

In an interview with Korean magazine STYLER (스타일러 주부생활) in 2016, Hyun shared that he was initially hesitant when Seo Jang-hoon asked him to appear on Infinite Challenge[218] since it was his first entertainment show appearance, but after filming, his children told him that they loved his shoot and they were excited to see him on TV. Hearing that his sons approved of his TV appearance, Hyun became receptive to TV show offers which he did not entertain before.[112] In another interview in the same year, when Hyun was asked what was his basis on accepting TV program offers, he answered that he only appears on shows that his two sons would like him to.[5]

With Hyun’s appointment as a basketball head coach in April 2017 and his subsequent departure from sports broadcasting, he also discontinued appearing on TV shows to focus on his coaching duties. His last appearance was for One Night Food Trip in May 2017.

In April 2019, Hyun joined KBS2’s new variety show, Boss in The Mirror as a cast member, ending his 23-month break from television activities. The players and staff of Hyun's team, the Changwon LG Sakers, made an appearance in the show. Due to their TV stint, players Cho Sung-min, Kim Si-rae (Korean: 김시래; Hanja: 金時來), Kang Byung-hyun (Korean: 강병현; Hanja: 姜秉賢), Jeong Hee-jae (Korean: 정희재), Kim Dong-ryang (Korean: 김동량) and Park Byung-woo (Korean: 박병우) became well-known figures in the basketball world as well as the team's general manager Park Do-kyung (Korean: 박도경; Hanja: 朴塗景) and translator Chae Seong-woo (Korean: 채성우).[219][220][221] The Changwon LG Sakers also became one of the most popular teams in the league.[222]

With Hyun's television activities, he helped in boosting the image of the KBL which was ridden with scandals in the past (such as illegal betting[223] and match-fixing[224][225][226]). He also made the public pay attention to basketball, making it popular once again.[201]

To devote more time and have an undivided attention in coaching the Changwon LG Sakers, Hyun did not appear in Boss in The Mirror for the whole duration of the 2019–20 KBL season. He made his last appearance on the show in October 2019.

At the 17th KBS Entertainment Awards, Hyun was nominated for the Top Excellence Award in Entertainment Category for his work in Boss in The Mirror.[227][228][229]

Following his resignation as a head coach of the Changwon LG Sakers, Hyun returned as a cast member of Boss in The Mirror in May 2020 after 6 months of being off-air.

Hyun became active again in the entertainment industry, appearing in numerous shows.

On September 2, 2020, KBS announced that Hyun will be hosting the third season of TV Loaded with Love, a TV program that has been running since 1994, together with veteran TV presenter Kim Won-hee.[230][231] This was Hyun’s first hosting gig since he entered show business.[232][233][234]

In 2020, during the 18th KBS Entertainment Awards, Hyun won his first entertainment award, receiving the Top Excellence Award in Reality Category, for his work in Boss in The Mirror.[235][236][237]

Hyun met wife, pastry chef Park Sang-hyun (Korean: 박상현), through an acquaintance in November 2006. After 5 months of dating, Hyun proposed.[238] The two got married at Hotel Shilla on June 21, 2007.[239][240][241] His wife gave birth to their firstborn, Hyun Joon-hee (Korean: 현준희) in 2008. A year later, they welcomed their second son, Hyun Joon-wook (Korean: 현준욱).[242][243][244]

In two interviews, Hyun shared that even until his thirties, he would still kiss and sleep next to his father, who passed away when he was 33. Similar to his dad, Hyun also expresses physical affection towards his two sons which his children also like. Hyun is known as a family man and an affectionate dad.[5][112]

After retiring, Hyun was scammed by an acquaintance and lost ₩1.7 billion KRW.[245][246][247] In 2012, Hyun filed a lawsuit and won, but was only able to recover half of the money amounting to ₩870 million KRW.[248][249]

• Most consecutive double-digit scoring as a rookie (24 games).
• First rookie to record a triple-double in league history.
• First rookie to earn an All-Star selection in league history.
• Most double-doubles by a forward during the 2004–05 regular season (13 games).
• Most assists by a forward and second most assists during the 2004–05 regular season (total of 415 assists, 7.83 assists per game).
• Most career triple-doubles (7 games).

• 1997 FIBA Under-21 World Championship: Top scorer (total of 126 points, 18.0 points per game).
• 1997 FIBA Under-21 World Championship: Most points in a game (32 points against Australia on August 3, 1997).

• 1992 ABC Under-18 Championship:  Silver
• 1994 Asian Games:  Silver
• 1995 ABC Championship:  Silver
• 1997 East Asian Games:  Silver
• 1997 ABC Championship:  Gold
• 1998 Asian Games:  Silver
• 1999 ABC Championship:  Silver
• 2002 Asian Games:  Gold

• KBL 20th Anniversary All-Time Legend 12 (2017)
• KBL 15th Anniversary Legend All-Star (2012)
• 6-time KBL All-Star (1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008)
• KBL Best Player Award (2006)
• 2-time KBL-CBA All-Star (2005, 2006)
• KBL Best 5 (2005)
• 2-time KBL All-Star Best 5 (2000, 2005)
• 2-time KBL Player of the Month (January 2000, November 2004)

• Basketball Festival Finals MVP (2002)
• Basketball Festival Rebound Award (2002)

• ABC Champions Cup Dunk Contest Winner (1997)

• Jumpball (점프볼) Commentator of the Year (2017)

• KBL Regular Season Third Place (2018–19)