Definition
The 2019 K League 1 was the 37th season of the K League, South Korea's premier professional football (soccer) league, and the seventh season under the “K League 1” branding following the league’s restructuring in 2013.
Overview
The season commenced on 2 March 2019 and concluded on 30 November 2019. Twelve clubs contested the league, each playing a total of 33 matches in a three‑round round‑robin format, yielding 198 matches overall. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors secured the championship, marking their eighth consecutive title and ninth overall. The competition also determined qualification slots for the 2020 AFC Champions League and the promotion/relegation outcomes with the second‑tier K League 2.
Etymology/Origin
“K League” derives from “Korea” and “League,” denoting the national professional football league system established in 1983. The “1” suffix was introduced in 2013 to differentiate the top division (K League 1) from the newly created second division (K League 2) as part of a broader rebranding effort.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | 12 clubs: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, FC Seoul, Ulsan Hyundai, Pohang Steelers, Jeju United, Sangju Sangmu (military), Daegu FC, Gyeongnam FC, Incheon United, Seongnam FC, and Suwon FC (promoted for 2019). |
| Competition format | Triple round‑robin (33 matches per club). The league winner qualifies for the AFC Champions League group stage. The bottom‑placed club is automatically relegated to K League 2; the 11th‑placed club enters a two‑leg promotion/relegation playoff against the K League 2 runner‑up. |
| Champion | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (8th straight title). |
| Relegated | Suwon FC finished last and were relegated to K League 2 for the 2020 season. |
| Playoff | The 11th‑placed club, Gyeongnam FC, contested a two‑leg playoff against K League 2 runner‑up. Accurate information about the playoff outcome is not confirmed. |
| Top scorer | Accurate information is not confirmed; contemporary reports listed several candidates, with the highest goal tally being in the low‑teens. |
| Attendance | Average match attendance across the season was approximately 7,500 spectators per game; precise figures vary by source and are not definitively confirmed. |
| Broadcast | Matches were televised domestically on KBS, SBS, and SPOTV, with international streaming through the K League’s official platforms. |
Related Topics
- K League 2 (2019 season) – The second division of South Korean professional football, whose champion earned promotion to K League 1 for the 2020 season.
- 2019 K League 1 promotion/relegation playoff – The post‑season contest determining whether the 11th‑placed K League 1 club retained its status.
- AFC Champions League 2020 – Continental competition for which the 2019 K League 1 champion (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) qualified.
- South Korean football league system – The hierarchical arrangement of professional leagues in South Korea, encompassing the K League, K3 League, and amateur tiers.
- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – The dominant club of the era, noted for its sustained success in the K League 1 and regular participation in Asian competitions.