"Very peaceful experience in Korea" - Aleksandar Vojnović on life at Hwaseong FC | OneFootball

Hwaseong FC were expected to struggle in their debut K League 2 season, but the inspired decision to hand the managerial duties to Cha Du-ri has lifted the club towards mid-table. The club made several smart winter signings, including one-time Bosnia-Herzegovina international, Aleksandar Vojnović.

Aleksandar Vojnović had just turned 25 when he earned his first cap for Bosnia-Herzegovina. It should have been the highlight of his career, but this appearance came during the Covid-19 outbreak. The stadium, in Los Angeles, was empty. Vojnović played the full 90 minutes against the United States in a 1-0 loss. His country held on until the 89th minute (despite being down to 10 men since the first-half) only to succumb to Cole Bassett's late goal.

The 1,92 meter defender would never play for his country again. But he hasn't given up hope of receiving a call up some day. "Of course. I think every player is hopeful to get a call from the national team. But I know at this moment when I play in K League 2, it is not possible. Bosnia have a lot of young players in European leagues but you never know. I hope I can go to K League 1, and then, like a professional player, I should stay focused, and expect a call from the national team."

Hwaseong players celebrate in the pouring rain.

His solid performances in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina might not have yielded more international recognition, but they did earn him a move to Serbia. Vojnović started his career at hometown club FK Sloboda Novi Grad, before moving to several Bosnian teams, and then onto Serbia. From there, he arrived in South Korea. "Yes, yes, I came here from Serbia," was Vojnović's introduction in the bowls of Hwaseong Stadium. "I was there for three years, and three years before that, I played for the national team. I was looking for a change."

And that change brought him to a land far away. "I wanted to come to Asia. In the transfer window I had an opportunity to come to Korea. The club agreed with my club in Serbia, and now I'm really happy here. Korea is a well organized country for everything. From deliveries to public transport. Everything is on time. And in football, everything is settled. I'm very happy here."

In early March, Vojnović swapped FK Radnicki Niš for Hwaseong. Niš is the third biggest city in Serbia, located in the south-east of the country near the borders with Kosovo and Bulgaria. Leaving Niš for Hwaseong meant saying goodbye to Čair Stadium. In some ways, the stadium looks like every multi-purpose ground in Korea. It has a modest capacity of 18,151, with very limited roof cover, a running track, and dark high-rise apartments peering over the outer walls.

But look a little closer and you notice something else. Imposing two-meter high fences protect the players from the supporters. Serbian football has a universal reputation for being a very tough place to visit. Whilst away fans can attend Super Liga Serbia matches, that hasn't always been the case.

"Yeah, it's a lot of difference like you say," Vojnović responds when I tell him about my experience of watching football in his homeland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in 2015. "There is little bit of a crazy atmosphere in all Balkan countries - Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia. And here, it is more calm. People come here just to give support to their clubs. There are no ultras here you know, like probably, like in England, in Ireland a lot of ultras and ultra fans. But here, there is more calmness, more calm people."

Vojnović scored a goal vs. Jeonnam in April.

Vojnović says he has always felt the warmth of the fans, win or lose. It undoubtedly helps the atmosphere inside the stadium that Hwaseong FC are performing much better than unexpected, under legendary Korean defender Cha Du-ri. Even though making a late push for a play off spot is highly unlikely, Hwaseong can be thrilled with their debut season in K League 2. At the time of writing, the club are 10th (from 14), six points above bottom-placed Cheonan City FC.

"Yes, yes, very peaceful experience in Korea," the center-back continues. "Nobody will tell you something bad. If you lose 2 or 3 games in a row in the Balkans, it is a little bit different. You know, you can feel always a pressure, especially when you play for bigger teams, you know, fight for the title. Here is much different."

Violence, in the cities or around the stadiums, is an alien concept to Korean fans. Tickets are cheap, easily attainable, and even though there is some form of home-and-away segregation, this feels like box-ticking more than real precaution. Fans can drink beer in the stands, and supporters often mingle before and after a match.

Vojnović's new home, Hwaseong Stadium, has very little in common with Čair Stadium. Built in 2011 and with a capacity over 35,000, Hwaseong Stadium is impressive. It has hosted Korean national games for both men and women, and was recently used for the EAFF-1 tournament. But one area of similarity; average attendance. Despite boasting a competitive record in 2025, an average of 1,850 have arrived through the gates to see Hwaseong. In his final season in Serbia, FK Radnicki Niš averaged 1,213.

The club will experience a notable bump this Sunday when local rivals Suwon Samsung visit for the first time. And that's another feature of K League 2 that Vojnović loves. There are several near neighbors. "Yes, that's a good thing about football in Korea," Vojnović says, breaking into laughter. "Only three teams are a far journey but a lot of teams are near Seoul. That is good."

Moving to a brand new professional club must be a daunting experience for a young player, but Vojnović had already built up a solid career in his homeland and Serbia if the move turned sour. He knew the club wouldn't be aiming for trophies, or even promotion, but that suited him nonetheless."I think the mission for the club this year is just to settle. Settle in the middle zone, a safe zone. Because there is no relegation, there is no pressure. But, of course, the club wants to make good results. I think we have the quality to finish in 6th or 7th. For next season, I don't know, but I hope the club will want to get promoted to K League 1."

Hwasong manager Cha Du-ri.

Vojnović is delighted to play for "a big legend of South Korean football" who "played a lot of years in the Bundesliga, and for Celtic." There's plenty to learn from a man with 76 international caps and two World Cup adventures. If Hwaseong are to reach K League 1, and Vojnović to achieve his dream of more international appearances, Cha might just be the man to deliver.

Nationality: Bosnia-Herzegovina

Club: Hwaseong FC

Date of birth: 1996-10-03

Height: 6.2 feet