For the first time in nearly a quarter of a century a defender has won the K League 1 MVP Award. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors centre back Hong Jeong-ho has been named as Most Valuable Player in K League, his manager Kim Sang-sik has won the Manager of the Year Award while Ulsan Hyundai's Seol Young-woo is this year's Young Player of the Year.

Full list of awards

Top Goalscorer - Joo Min-kyu (Jeju United)

Joo Min-kyu played 34 games for Jeju United this season and scored 22 goals. Joo Min-kyu, who scored an average of 0.65 goals per game, has become the first Korean player to win the top goalscorer award since Jung Jo-gook in 2016, five years ago. Of the 22 goals, Joo Min-kyu scored just once with his left foot, eight times with his right, six penalties and seven headers. Joo's scored seven in the first half of matches and 15 goals in the second half.

Top Assist Maker - Kim Bo-kyung (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)

In 32 matches for Jeonbuk this season, Kim Bo-kyung recorded 10 assists, 0.31 per 90 minutes. Murilo of Suwon FC also recorded 10 assists but did so over 36 games, four more than Kim.

Young Player of the Year - Seol Young-woo (Ulsan Hyundai)

Ulsan Hyundai's Seol Young-woo has won the 2021 Young Player Award. Seol earned votes from three out of the 12 K League 1 managers, seven out of the 12 captains and 51 out of 118 votes from the media. Based on 100 points, Seol Young-woo's score was 42.29, far ahead of competitors Jung Sang-bin (26.27 points), Um Won-sang (17.92 points), and Ko Young-joon (13.52 points). Seol Young-woo, who is in his second year as a professional, played 31 games this season, scored two goals and laid three assists, playing as Ulsan's main left fullback.

Manager of the Year - Kim Sang-sik (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors manager Kim Sang-sik won the K League 1 Manager of the Year Award after lifting the K League title in his first year as a number one. Jeonbuk won the K League 1 title with 22 wins, 10 draws and six losses. It was a record-extending five straight league titles and a ninth overall for the club. This season, Jeonbuk scored the most goals in K League 1 with 71 and conceded the fewest with just 37. Kim Sang-sik joined Jeonbuk in 2009 as a player and began coaching in 2014. He is the third person in the K League to win the title as a player, a coach and a manager. 

MVP - Hong Jeong-ho (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)

Hong Jeong-ho is 2021 K League 1 MVP. The Jeonbuk captain earned six votes from the 12 K League 1 managers, six votes from his fellow captains and 56 votes from the media. With a combined score of 48.98, Hong beat second-place Joo Min-kyu (39.45 points) who ended the season as top goalscorer. In the defensive third, Hong made 50 interceptions (2nd), 186 acquisitions (4th), 85 clearances (9th), 100 blocks (11th). In addition to defence, he scored the first goal of the 2-0 Round 37 win over Daegu FC to take Jeonbuk one step closer to the league title. 

It is the first time in 24 years that a defender has won the MVP award in the K League since Kim Joo-sung in 1997). Hong Jeong-ho is the sixth central defender to win the K League MVP award after Park Sung-hwa (1983), Han Moon-bae (1985), Jung Yong-hwan (1991), Hong Myung-bo (1992), and Kim Joo-sung (1997). Fullbacks who won the MVP award include Choi Kang-hee (19886, shared with Lee Heung-sil) and Park Kyung-hoon (1988).

Best XI

Goalkeeper: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan Hyundai)
Defenders: Kang Sang-woo (Pohang Steelers), Dave Bulthuis (Ulsan Hyundai), Hong Jeong-ho (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Ki-je (Suwon Samsung Bluewings)
Midfielders: Valeri Qazaishvili (Ulsan Hyundai), Cesinha (Daegu FC), Lee Dong-jun (Ulsan Hyundai), Lim Sang-hyub (Pohang Steelers)
Forwards: Lars Veldwijk (Suwon FC), Joo Min-kyu (Jeju United)