The future of Ulsan HD, Lee Dong-kyung (27), reclaimed his name in 2024. This season, it’s been ‘Lee Dong-gyeong doing Lee Dong-gyeong’. The start of a dynasty, Ulsan’s bid for a third consecutive K League 1 title is on the line.
With seven points (two wins and one draw), Ulsan is the clear leader in the third round. Lee currently has three goals and two assists. He leads the K League 1 in goals and assists. In the away match against Gimcheon Commerce on Sept. 9, he put on a one-man show with two goals and one assist to lead the team to a 3-2 victory. He also scored a goal and an assist in a 3-3 draw at home against Incheon United on the 17th, just before the A-Match break. In the last two games, he showed off his ‘crazy form’.
It’s ‘spring’ after three years. Lee Dong-kyung is a typical ‘holy grail’ who grew up in the Ulsan youth system. He developed his professional dreams at Hyundai Middle and Hyundai High. He made his K League debut in 2018 and had his best year in 2021. He competed in the Tokyo Olympics and scored six goals and three assists in 28 K League 1 appearances. He was also a favorite of then national team coach Paulo Bento. He was also a favorite of then-A national team coach Paulo Bento.
However, Ulsan were ‘second best’ at the time.
Lee chose a new challenge. In January 2022, he was loaned to German Bundesliga side Schalke 04. It was a journey that included an outright transfer option. But the European stage was a bumpy ride for Lee, who suffered a fractured instep bone shortly after arriving. He only made one appearance for Schalke 04 and failed to complete the transfer. In September 2022, 안전놀이터 추천 he was loaned back to Hannover Rostock, where he hoped to turn things around, but only made two starts and 10 substitute appearances. In total, he played 313 minutes. He also missed the World Cup in Qatar.
Lee returned to Ulsan in July of last year. However, he showed signs of a long absence. He wasn’t in his normal shape. He played nine games in the second half of last season in the K League 1, scoring two goals and one assist in the process. Ulsan went on to win the title for the second year in a row. Lee Dong-kyung also enjoyed the thrill of reaching the top of the K League 1 for the first time. But it wasn’t all smiles.
He had suffered a harsher winter than anyone else. The sweat didn’t lie. He lost 5 kilograms and became lighter from the inside out. I was described as ‘chubby’. The ‘crazy left foot’ finally broke through. On the 21st, Lee Dong-kyung said, “I was motivated. I wanted to prove and repay the Ulsan fans in front of them in the K League stage. I prepared harder and more diligently because I wanted to solve the things I had to solve in the future, such as my new family, joining the military, and my position and expectations in the team. These things can be a burden, but I think I’ve put them to good use and it’s led to my early season performance, so I’m grateful for my winter,” he smiled.
He met his lovely daughter, ‘Blessing’ (Taemyeong), on the 19th.
“I feel like my shoulders and feet are getting heavier. I think it’s because I have more responsibilities, so I feel like I need to be lighter on the field. I’m really looking forward to the future with my wife and Bumhooyi. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who wished and congratulated me on the birth of Bumyeon and her safe delivery.”
Dongkyung Lee is at the center of change. He is awaiting the announcement of the finalists for the position. If he is accepted, he will enlist next month and change into a Gimcheon jersey. “I think my hard work has paid off,” he said of his first-place finish in goals and assists, “and thanks to the help of my teammates and the support of my fans and family, the early season results are going the way I want. However, I will not be complacent and will prepare well to prevent injuries so that I can keep this momentum going. I want to prepare well during the break and show my progress during the season.”