2023 K League 1

Last updated

Hana 1Q
K League 1
Season 2023
Dates25 February – 3 December 2023
Champions Ulsan Hyundai
(4th title)
Relegated Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Champions League Elite Ulsan Hyundai
Pohang Steelers
Gwangju FC
Champions League Two Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Matches174
Goals447 (2.57 per match)
Best Player Kim Young-gwon
Top goalscorer Joo Min-kyu
Tiago Orobó
(17 goals each)
Biggest home win Gwangju 5–0 Incheon
(18 March 2023)
Biggest away win Suwon FC 0–5 Jeju
(14 May 2023)
Highest scoring Seoul 7–2 Suwon FC
(12 July 2023)
Longest winning run6 matches
Ulsan Hyundai
Longest unbeaten run9 matches
Gwangju FC
Pohang Steelers
Longest winless run15 matches
Gangwon FC
Longest losing run5 matches
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Highest attendance45,007
Seoul 3–0 Daegu
(8 April 2023)
2022
2024

The 2023 K League 1, also known as the Hana 1Q K League 1 for sponsorship reasons, was the 41st season of the top division of professional football in South Korea, and the eleventh season of the K League 1. Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai successfully defended their title. [1]

Contents

After progressing 33 regular rounds as ever, the league was divided into two groups, the top six and the bottom six, and each team played five matches against other teams in its group.

Teams

Team changes

Gwangju FC and Daejeon Hana Citizen (both promoted after absences of one and seven years, respectively) were promoted from the 2022 K League 2. Gimcheon Sangmu and Seongnam FC (both relegated after one and four years in the top flight, respectively) were relegated to 2023 K League 2.

Increase2.svg Promoted from K League 2 Decrease2.svg Relegated to K League 2

Locations

The following twelve clubs competed in the K League 1 during the 2023 season. [2]

TeamCity/ProvinceAbbreviation
Daegu FC Daegu Daegu
Daejeon Hana Citizen Daejeon Daejeon
Gangwon FC Gangwon Gangwon
Gwangju FC Gwangju Gwangju
Incheon United Incheon Incheon
Jeju United Jeju Jeju
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Jeonbuk Jeonbuk
Pohang Steelers Pohang Pohang
FC Seoul Seoul Seoul
Suwon Samsung Bluewings Suwon Suwon
Suwon FC Suwon Suwon FC
Ulsan Hyundai Ulsan Ulsan

Stadiums

Jeju United Daegu FC Incheon United
Jeju World Cup Stadium DGB Daegu Bank Park Incheon Football Stadium
Capacity: 29,791Capacity: 12,415Capacity: 20,891
Jejuwcstadium.jpg Daegu DGB Bank Park 2019.jpg Incheon Soccer Stadium 2.JPG
Pohang Steelers Suwon FC Daejeon Hana Citizen
Pohang Steel Yard Suwon Stadium Daejeon World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 17,443Capacity: 11,808Capacity: 40,903
Pohang080413 1.jpg 2009-01-24 - Suwon Civil Stadium from Royal Palace.jpg Daejeon World Cup Stadium.JPG
FC Seoul Ulsan Hyundai Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Seoul World Cup Stadium Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium Suwon World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 66,704Capacity: 44,102Capacity: 44,031
AFC Champions League Final 1st leg.jpg Munsu 20121110 204310 5.jpg Glandbleu01.jpg
Gwangju FC Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Gwangju Football Stadium Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 10,007Capacity: 42,477
Gwangju World Cup Stadium.jpg Jeonju World Cup Stadium 2016.jpg
Gangwon FC
Chuncheon Songam Leports Town Gangneung Stadium
Capacity: 20,000Capacity: 22,333
Gangneung Stadium2.jpg

Personnel and sponsoring

TeamManagerMain sponsorKit manufacturerOther sponsor(s)
Daegu FC Flag of South Korea.svg Choi Won-kwon Daegu GovernmentGoal Studio DGB Daegu Bank
AJIN Industrial Co., Ltd.
Daejeon Hana Citizen Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Min-sung Hana Financial Group Astore
Gangwon FC Flag of South Korea.svg Yoon Jong-hwan Gangwon Provincial Government Fila High1 Resort
Gwangju FC Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Jung-hyo Gwangju Government Kelme
Incheon United Flag of South Korea.svg Jo Sung-hwan Incheon Government Macron Shinhan Bank
Incheon International Airport
Jeju United Flag of South Korea.svg Nam Ki-il SK Energy Fila
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Flag of Romania.svg Dan Petrescu Hyundai Motor Company Adidas
Pohang Steelers Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Gi-dong POSCO Puma Pohang Government
FC Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg An Ik-soo GS Group Pro-Specs
Suwon Samsung Bluewings Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Byung-soo Cheil Worldwide Puma Samsung Electronics
Deutsch Motors
Suwon FC Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Do-kyun Suwon Government Hummel
Ulsan Hyundai Flag of South Korea.svg Hong Myung-bo Hyundai Heavy Industries Adidas Hyundai Oil Bank

Foreign players

The number of allowed foreign players was kept strictly to six per team, including a guaranteed slot for a player from the Asian Football Confederation countries. Teams could field at most five foreign players at any given time, including at least one player from the AFC confederation.

North Korean player An Byong-jun, who played for Suwon Samsung Bluewings, was deemed as a native player by South Korean nationality law.

Players in bold were registered during the mid-season transfer window.

TeamPlayer 1Player 2Player 3Player 4Player 5 AFC playerFormer player(s)
Daegu FC Flag of Brazil.svg Césinha Flag of Brazil.svg Edgar Flag of Brazil.svg Lucas Barcellos Flag of Brazil.svg Victor Bobsin Flag of Japan.svg Keita Suzuki Flag of Brazil.svg Daniel Penha
Flag of Brazil.svg Marcos Serrato
Daejeon Hana Citizen Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Anton Kryvotsyuk Flag of Brazil.svg Leandro Ribeiro Flag of Brazil.svg Tiago Orobó Flag of Latvia.svg Vladislavs Gutkovskis Flag of Japan.svg Masatoshi Ishida
Gangwon FC Flag of Brazil.svg Galego Flag of Brazil.svg Vitor Gabriel Flag of Brazil.svg Welinton Júnior Flag of Brazil.svg Yago Cariello Flag of Montenegro.svg Marko Tući Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Ikromjon Alibaev Flag of Montenegro.svg Dino Islamović
Flag of Sweden.svg Kevin Höög Jansson
Gwangju FC Flag of Albania.svg Jasir Asani Flag of Brazil.svg Thomás Bedinelli Flag of Georgia.svg Beka Mikeltadze Flag of the Netherlands.svg Timo Letschert Flag of Australia (converted).svg Aaron Calver Flag of Brazil.svg Sandro Lima
Incheon United Flag of Brazil.svg Hernandes Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Paul-José M'Poku Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Gerso Fernandes Flag of Montenegro.svg Stefan Mugoša Flag of Australia (converted).svg Harrison Delbridge
Jeju United Flag of Brazil.svg Reis Flag of Brazil.svg Yuri Flag of Sweden.svg Jonathan Ring
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Flag of Brazil.svg André Luis Flag of Brazil.svg Gustavo Flag of Brazil.svg Rafael Silva Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Petrášek Flag of Ghana.svg Nana Boateng Flag of Japan.svg Jun Amano
Pohang Steelers Flag of Brazil.svg Oberdan Flag of Brazil.svg Wanderson Flag of Brazil.svg Zeca Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alex Grant
FC Seoul Flag of Brazil.svg Willyan Flag of Norway.svg Bjørn Maars Johnsen Flag of Russia.svg Stanislav Iljutcenko Flag of Serbia.svg Aleksandar Paločević Flag of Spain.svg Osmar Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Hosam Aiesh
Suwon Samsung Bluewings Flag of Brazil.svg Rodrigo Bassani Flag of Brazil.svg Werik Popó Flag of Ghana.svg Boadu Maxwell Acosty Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dave Bulthuis Flag of Serbia.svg Fejsal Mulić Flag of Japan.svg Kazuki Kozuka
Suwon FC Flag of Brazil.svg Hugo Gomes Flag of Brazil.svg Ricardo Lopes Flag of Brazil.svg Walterson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Jackson Flag of Brazil.svg Luan Ferreira
Flag of Brazil.svg Murilo Henrique
Flag of South Africa.svg Lars Veldwijk
Ulsan Hyundai Flag of Georgia.svg Valeri Qazaishvili Flag of Hungary.svg Martin Ádám Flag of Sweden.svg Darijan Bojanić Flag of Sweden.svg Gustav Ludwigson Flag of Japan.svg Ataru Esaka

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation [a]
1 Ulsan Hyundai (C)3823786342+2176Qualification for Champions League Elite league stage [b]
2 Pohang Steelers 38161665340+1364
3 Gwangju FC 381611114735+1259
4 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 38169134535+1057Qualification for Champions League Two group stage
5 Incheon United 381414104642+456
6 Daegu FC 381314114243153
7 FC Seoul 381413116349+1455
8 Daejeon Hana Citizen 381215115658251
9 Jeju United 381011174349641
10 Gangwon FC (O)386161630411134Qualification for relegation play-offs
11 Suwon FC (O)38892144763233
12 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (R)38892135572233Relegation to K League 2
Source: Soccerway, K League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference; 4) Wins; 5) Head-to-head points
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league was split into two groups, the top six and the bottom six.
  2. Since second-placed team Pohang Steelers qualified for the Champions League Elite as the Korean FA Cup champions, the spot given to the second-placed team was passed to the third-placed team. [3]

Positions by matchday

  Leader, and qualification for Champions League Elite league stage
  Qualification for Champions League Elite league stage
  Qualification for Champions League 2 group stage
  Qualification for relegation play-offs
  Relegation to K League 2

Round 1–33

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233
Ulsan Hyundai 331111111111111111111111111111111
Pohang Steelers 112432232334444422222222222222222
Gwangju FC 558555555678998768578865555333333
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 99688797910107877875844444333456574
Daegu FC 8896681088789666586785557698764645
Incheon United 975779891099101010101099999998876677766
FC Seoul 323243424222222333333333444545457
Daejeon Hana Citizen 244324343443555657666676767888888
Jeju United 66101012107107555333244457789989999999
Suwon FC 610799666686678991010101010101010101010101010101010
Gangwon FC 121212111011111111111111111111111111111111111112121112121211111111
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 111011121112121212121212121212121212121212121211111211111112121212
Source: K League

Round 34–38

Team ╲ Round3435363738
Ulsan Hyundai 11111
Pohang Steelers 22222
Gwangju FC 33333
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 44444
Incheon United 55555
Daegu FC 66666
FC Seoul 77777
Daejeon Hana Citizen 88888
Jeju United 99999
Gangwon FC 1111111010
Suwon FC 1010101111
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1212121212
Source: K League

Results

Matches 1–22

Teams played each other twice, once at home, once away. [4]

Home \ Away DGU DHC GWN GJU ICU JJU JHM PHS SEL SSB SWN USH
Daegu FC 1–00–03–42–21–12–01–11–01–13–10–3
Daejeon Hana Citizen 0–12–01–11–30–32–20–03–22–22–12–1
Gangwon FC 1–11–21–10–20–11–20–03–20–21–20–1
Gwangju FC 0–20–00–05–00–12–04–20–22–12–00–1
Incheon United 0–03–31–01–11–00–00–11–10–12–20–1
Jeju United 1–21–12–20–02–00–22–11–22–10–01–3
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1–01–20–12–02–02–01–22–11–13–12–0
Pohang Steelers 3–23–21–12–00–22–11–01–13–11–00–1
FC Seoul 3–00–01–03–12–11–11–11–13–17–21–2
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0–11–31–10–10–02–30–31–10–11–22–3
Suwon FC 1–15–32–00–22–20–51–01–20–32–01–3
Ulsan Hyundai 3–13–31–02–11–25–12–12–23–22–13–0
Source: K League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 23–33

Teams played each other once, either at home or away.

Home \ Away DGU DHC GWN GJU ICU JJU JHM PHS SEL SSB SWN USH
Daegu FC 1–01–00–02–20–0
Daejeon Hana Citizen 1–01–04–33–10–1
Gangwon FC 1–11–11–11–11–22–0
Gwangju FC 1–13–01–00–14–0
Incheon United 3–12–02–22–10–22–0
Jeju United 1–11–20–01–33–0
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1–31–11–32–01–11–0
Pohang Steelers 4–31–14–22–12–00–0
FC Seoul 2–20–10–10–22–22–2
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0–11–01–00–10–23–1
Suwon FC 1–10–11–21–12–3
Ulsan Hyundai 1–10–20–02–11–0
Source: K League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 34–38

Teams played each other once, either at home or away.

Final A

Home \ Away DGU GJU ICU JHM PHS USH
Daegu FC 1–12–11–2
Gwangju FC 0–20–01–0
Incheon United 1–13–1
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–01–1
Pohang Steelers 1–01–1
Ulsan Hyundai 2–01–03–2
Source: K League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Final B

Home \ Away DHC GWN JJU SEL SSB SWN
Daejeon Hana Citizen 0–12–21–1
Gangwon FC 1–12–0
Jeju United 0–20–02–0
FC Seoul 2–10–1
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–20–0
Suwon FC 1–13–42–3
Source: K League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Relegation play-offs

The tenth-placed team and the eleventh-placed team played against the play-offs winners and the runners-up of the K League 2, respectively, in the relegation play-offs.

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Gimpo FC 1–2 Gangwon FC 0–01–2
Busan IPark 4–6 Suwon FC 2–12–5 (a.e.t.)
Gimpo FC 0–0 Gangwon FC
Report
Gimpo Solteo Football Field, Gimpo
Attendance: 3,736
Referee: Jeong Dong-sik
Gangwon FC 2–1 Gimpo FC
Vitor Gabriel Soccerball shade.svg51', 76' Report Cho Sung-gwon Soccerball shade.svg59'
Gangneung Stadium, Gangneung
Attendance: 10,130
Referee: Lee Dong-jun

Gangwon FC won 2–1 on aggregate and therefore both clubs remain in their respective leagues.


Busan IPark 2–1 Suwon FC
Bruno Lamas Soccerball shade.svg85' (pen.), 90+9' (pen.) Report Jang Jae-woong Soccerball shade.svg43'
Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan
Attendance: 4,047
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin
Suwon FC 5–2 (a.e.t.) Busan IPark
Report
Suwon Sports Complex, Suwon
Attendance: 6,987
Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok

Suwon FC won 6–4 on aggregate and therefore both clubs remain in their respective leagues.

Statistics

Top goalscorers

Joo Min-kyu, who appeared in less time than Tiago Orobó, won the top goalscorer award. [5]

RankPlayer [6] TeamGoals
1 Flag of South Korea.svg Joo Min-kyu Ulsan Hyundai 17
Flag of Brazil.svg Tiago Orobó Daejeon Hana Citizen
3 Flag of Brazil.svg Zeca Pohang Steelers 12
Flag of South Korea.svg Na Sang-ho FC Seoul
5 Flag of Georgia.svg Valeri Qazaishvili Ulsan Hyundai 11
6 Flag of Brazil.svg Yuri Jeju United 10
Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Seung-woo Suwon FC
8 Flag of South Africa.svg Lars Veldwijk Suwon FC 9
Flag of Brazil.svg Edgar Daegu FC
Flag of South Korea.svg Go Jae-hyeon Daegu FC

Top assist providers

RankPlayer [6] TeamAssists
1 Flag of South Korea.svg Baek Sung-dong Pohang Steelers 8
2 Flag of Brazil.svg Leandro Ribeiro Daejeon Hana Citizen 7
Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Seung-dae Pohang Steelers
Flag of Brazil.svg Tiago Orobó Daejeon Hana Citizen
Flag of Brazil.svg Zeca Pohang Steelers
Flag of South Korea.svg Doo Hyeon-seok Gwangju FC
7 Flag of South Korea.svg Kim In-kyun Daejeon Hana Citizen 6
Flag of South Korea.svg Hong Chul Daegu FC
Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Gerso Fernandes Incheon United
107 Players5

Hat-tricks

PlayerForAgainstResultDate
Flag of Albania.svg Jasir Asani Gwangju FC Incheon United 5–023 March 2023
Flag of Brazil.svg Tiago Orobó Daejeon Hana Citizen Pohang Steelers 3–420 August 2023

Awards

Weekly awards

Monthly awards

MonthPlayer of the MonthYoung Player of the MonthGoal of the Month
PlayerClubPlayerClubPlayerClub
February/March Flag of South Korea.svg Joo Min-kyu Ulsan Flag of South Korea.svg Jeong Ho-yeon Gwangju Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Jin-hyun Daejeon
April Flag of South Korea.svg Na Sang-ho Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg Cheon Seong-hoon Incheon Flag of South Korea.svg Na Sang-ho Seoul
May Flag of South Korea.svg Paik Seung-ho Jeonbuk Flag of South Korea.svg Hwang Jae-won Daegu Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Ki-je Suwon
June Flag of Georgia.svg Valeri Qazaishvili Ulsan Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Ho-jae Pohang Flag of South Korea.svg Joo Min-kyu Ulsan
July Flag of South Korea.svg Na Sang-ho Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Ju-chan Suwon Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Ju-chan Suwon
August Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Seung-woo Suwon FC Flag of South Korea.svg Eom Ji-sung Gwangju Flag of Brazil.svg Tiago Orobó Daejeon
September Flag of Brazil.svg Zeca Pohang Flag of South Korea.svg Heo Yool Gwangju Flag of Georgia.svg Beka Mikeltadze Gwangju
October–December Flag of South Korea.svg Seol Young-woo Ulsan Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Ju-chan Suwon Flag of South Korea.svg Ki Sung-yueng Seoul
MonthManager of the MonthSave of the Month
ManagerClubDiv.PlayerClub
February/March Flag of South Korea.svg Hong Myung-bo Ulsan1 Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Kyeong-min Gwangju
April Flag of South Korea.svg Ko Jeong-woon Gimpo 2 Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Chang-geun Daejeon
May Flag of South Korea.svg Nam Ki-il Jeju1 Flag of South Korea.svg Hwang In-jae Pohang
June Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Jung-hyo Gwangju1 Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Chang-geun Daejeon
July Flag of South Korea.svg Jo Sung-hwan Incheon1 Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Chang-geun Daejeon
August Flag of South Korea.svg Choi Yun-kyum Chungbuk Cheongju 2 Flag of South Korea.svg Jo Hyeon-woo Ulsan
September Flag of South Korea.svg Park Jin-sub Busan 2 Flag of South Korea.svg Jo Hyeon-woo Ulsan
October–December Flag of South Korea.svg Chung Jung-yong Gimcheon 2 Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Chang-geun Daejeon

Annual awards

The 2023 K League Awards was held on 4 December 2023. [7]

AwardWinnerClub
Most Valuable Player Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Young-gwon Ulsan Hyundai
Young Player of the Year Flag of South Korea.svg Jeong Ho-yeon Gwangju FC
Top goalscorer Flag of South Korea.svg Joo Min-kyu Ulsan Hyundai
Top assist provider Flag of South Korea.svg Baek Sung-dong Pohang Steelers
Manager of the Year Flag of South Korea.svg Hong Myung-bo Ulsan Hyundai
Position Best XI
Goalkeeper Flag of South Korea.svg Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan)
Defenders Flag of South Korea.svg Seol Young-woo
(Ulsan)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alex Grant
(Pohang)
Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Young-gwon
(Ulsan)
Flag of Brazil.svg Wanderson
(Pohang)
Midfielders Flag of South Korea.svg Um Won-sang
(Ulsan)
Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Soon-min
(Gwangju)
Flag of Brazil.svg Oberdan
(Pohang)
Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Gerso Fernandes
(Incheon)
Forwards Flag of Brazil.svg Zeca (Pohang) Flag of South Korea.svg Joo Min-kyu (Ulsan)

Attendance

Attendants who entered with free ticket are not counted.

PosTeamTotalHighLowAverageChange
1 FC Seoul 430,02945,00710,23622,663+157.9%
2 Ulsan Hyundai 345,99030,7565,31818,210+108.3%
3 Daejeon Hana Citizen 244,27420,5928,37712,857+466.4%
4 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 238,75927,7975,06712,566+108.8%
5 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 224,17724,9324,72711,799+101.7%
6 Daegu FC 208,34012,3346,94310,965+71.0%
7 Incheon United 169,82615,7385,0768,938+69.9%
8 Pohang Steelers 164,29514,6403,0808,647+81.1%
9 Gangwon FC 122,77211,0842,5816,462+198.5%
10 Jeju United 114,01510,0413,2806,001+90.4%
11 Suwon FC 98,5809,2211,6055,188+64.1%
12 Gwangju FC 86,0907,3571,8714,831+269.6%
League total2,447,14745,0071,60510,733+122.7%

Updated to games played on 1 December 2023
Source: K League
Notes:
Teams that played previous season in K League 2.

See also

References

  1. "Defending champions to take on runners-up to kick off 2023 K League football season". Yonhap News Agency. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  2. "K League Official Club Profiles Page".
  3. 광주FC, 아시아 챔피언스리그 엘리트(ACLE) 진출 확정 (in Korean). Gwangju FC. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  4. "K League Fixtures and Results". K League. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  5. “사람 마음이 간사한 것 같다”…‘득점왕’ 차지한 주민규의 속마음. Goal.com (in Korean). 5 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 "K LEAGUE / Record".
  7. 'K리그 MVP의 눈물' 김영권 "머리가 하얘졌다"+홍명보 '최고 감독'... K리그 빛낸 별들 모두 가려졌다 '2023 K리그 대상 시상식' (종합). Naver.com (in Korean). Starnews Korea. 4 December 2023.