Lee Dong-kyung (Ulsan), who is trying to win the K-League 1 Most Valuable Player Award (MVP), the 'Star of Stars', conveyed his true feelings in a handwritten letter.
Lee Dong-kyung is on the MVP list along with Park Jin-seop (Jeonbuk) and Sabak (Suwon FC). The MVP of the honor is determined by voting for each club manager (30%), captain (30%), and media (40%).
Currently, the MVP category is narrowing down to Lee Dong-kyung and Park Jin-seop 'two-way battle'. Lee Dong-kyung expressed his feelings by holding a pen for the first time since his debut in the Ulsan uniform in 2018. It came at the most important time for the team as well as for the club. At this moment when everyone is difficult and burdened, I'm so upset that I can't support the team due to injuries. I'm ashamed, but I'm going to bring up a little personal story in this situation,' he began.
He joined the army the next day after leading a 3-2 come-from-behind victory with a come-from-behind goal and help against SK in Jeju on April 28 last year. It's in full bloom this season. He stood tall with the pride of the K League by scoring 13 goals and 11 assists in the Gimcheon Sangmu. Lee Dong-kyung, who was discharged from the military last month, returned to Ulsan HD and continued his performance with his 12th help against FC Anyang.
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| Ulsan Clubhouse/ K League1/ Ulsan HDFC/ Official/ Ulsan Dong-kyung/ Photo Kim Jung-soo |
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However, he was out of power after injuring his rib in the process of aiming for a net goal at the end of the second half in a home game against Suwon FC on the 9th. Lee Dong-kyung said '2025 season was a particularly special season for me. Before the start of this season, I often thought 'I must be a unlucky player.' There were many moments when what they wanted was not accomplished by a hair's breadth. I always thought it was an opportunity and challenged myself, but I always ended up with greed.
And 'Nevertheless, I did not blame others and people around me, abandoning my negative thoughts. As time goes by, I realize little by little as a soccer player and I am maturing as a human being. At some point, the door opened and the light began to show.
His 25 offensive points are by far the best in the K-League. The contribution to the attack and the creation of opportunities are also unmatched. Sixty-two of 271 cross attempts were made. Both categories are at the top of the table. The number of successful passes (77) into the penalty area and crosses (238) into the penalty area are also the top among K League 1 players.
Lee Dong-kyung led his team to victory by not only hitting the goal directly using an accurate kick but also providing scoring opportunities for his teammates. Key passes (74) and overall shots (121), which led to shots, are also in the lead. The effective shooting (46) and xG (expected score / 11.48) values are the second highest in K League 1.
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ K League1/ Ulsan HDFC/ Ulsan Dong-kyung/ ambulance/ injury/ photo Kim Jung-soo |
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He will be on par with (Park) Jin-seop and Sabak, who performed best in the 2025 season, as MVP candidates. It's an honor in itself to have great players and names that are indispensable to each team. 'I personally don't think I should get an award for making a career high this season. On December 1, he stressed that he will not change his mind as a consistent player as he has done so far, regardless of whether my name is called or not.
Ulsan will play the final match against Jeju SK at Munsu Football Stadium on the 30th 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025'. Only when he wins can he secure ninth place that can avoid the promotion and playoffs on his own.
Lee Dong-kyung promises to be reborn as a player who develops every season as long as his body allows it. This season, I wanted to express my heart and words that I have not been able to convey to those who have been grateful while playing soccer so far. He added that he wants to take the opportunity to live up to his name like the name his grandmother gave him 'Dong'Shining '炅'
The MVP will be unveiled at the 「Hana Bank K League 2025 Grand Awards」 held at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Hongeun-dong, Seoul, on Dec. 1.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
