After facing the prospect of relegation in 2023, and only surviving through a promotion/relegation playoff, few would’ve predicted that Gangwon FC would swiftly turn into title contenders. But they did, and a record-breaking season for the club saw them record their highest ever K League 1 finish, secure continental qualification for the first time, and re-establish their confidence. Now, Nathan Sartain reviews the Bears’ 2024 in detail, covering all bases.
Overall Record
19 Wins – 7 Draws – 12 Losses
Notable Team and Individual Records
Highest K League 1 Finish: 2nd
Highest K League 1 Points Tally: 64
Highest K League 1 Win Total: 19
Most Goals Scored in a K League 1 Season: 62
Yang Min-hyuk: Youngest Player to 10 K League 1 Goals, 5 Young Player of the Month Awards, K League 1 Young Player of the Year
Yoon Jong-hwan: K League 1 Coach of the Year
K League 1 Best XI: Lee Sang-heon, Hwang Mun-ki, Yang Min-hyuk
What Went Well
Given the 2024 Gangwon had, it wouldn’t be too far fetched to say almost everything went well for them this campaign. However, there were still some aspects of their successes that stood out more than most, and are key reasons for why the club managed to rise from 10th to second in 12 months.
Firstly, the Bears’ recruitment was far more effective this year. With star players Seo Min-woo and Kim Dae-won departing the club as part of their military service, and a string of winter releases that included first-teamer Lee Jeong-hyeop, early additions Kim Yi-seok and Lee Sang-heon were brought in to instantly bolster the midfield and attack respectively, while central midfielder Kim Kang-gook would soon follow. All three of these players would become regular fixtures in the first team, as would later signings Lee You-hyeon, Lee Gi-hyuk, and (in the summer) Franko Kovacevic. Then, the likes of Jung Han-min, Henry Hore and Kim Kyung-min helped add quality depth to a previously fairly thin squad, which in turn would complete an overhaul of a previously aging side.
Helping this recruitment was a complete change in tactics too, though, which would allow for the best to be brought out of Yoon Jong-hwan’s new-look squad. For the majority of the year, a 4-4-2 system was favoured, one that would change into either a 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 out of possession for extra defensive or midfield cover, but at the same time something that would allow for the Bears to firmly stay on the front foot in the majority of their games. Because of this attacking, direct style, Gangwon went from 2023’s lowest scorers (30 goals) to 2024’s highest (62), outscoring their xG total of 55.21 in the process. Similarly, Yoon Jong-hwan’s men would make a per 90 average of 34.56 accurate passes to the final third, 49.5 accurate progressive passes, and take 11.58 shots, further proof they wanted to peg opponents back as opposed to operate with a defence-first mindset.
What this refreshing change of tactics also allowed for was a confidence to burgeon within the squad, as Gangwon would notably score three goals or more on nine different occasions, and stride to their highest win total in a K League 1 season (19), with an impressive record of beating 11 of the 12 teams in the division at least once to boot.
And finally, the emergence of Yang Min-hyuk, as well as players like Hwang Mun-ki, Lee Sang-heon and Lee Gi-hyuk having career-best years helped really drive the team forward, especially over the summer. The former, who will soon be joining up with Tottenham Hotspur, managed 12 goals and six assists in his first professional season, and stood out for his strong finishing, quick decision-making, pace, and all-round positivity when on the ball. Then, for Hwang Mun-ki, his renewed creativity at right-back was a joy to watch, as he averaged (per 90) 2.87 crosses, 0.54 shot assists, 3.58 passes to the final third, 3.19 passes to the penalty area, and 0.51 through passes. And of course, Lee Sang-heon found himself capable of making a name for himself in first division football, his 13 goals and eight assists meaning he was the most prolific contributor to the club this year, while Lee Gi-hyuk’s passing range became a real benefit when he operated at the heart of the defence.
Young Player of the Year
Yang Min-hyuk
Even the cliché of a player bursting onto the scene seems like an understatement forYang Min-hyuk. Within one minute of his first-team debut he managed an assist. Within two matches he managed his first goal. Within seven months he managed a professional contract, and a move to a Premier League club in Tottenham Hotspur. Over the course of the season, he became the youngest player to reach 10 K League 1 goals too, before winning K League’s Young Player of the Year accolade.
Truly, Yang Min-hyuk deserves every headline he’s grabbed in 2024. The 18-year-old was vital to how Gangwon were able to play, and quickly became a star player for the club who could be relied on to help secure important wins. Per 90, the winger averaged 3.66 dribbles, 3.82 recoveries, 2.24 progressive runs, 1.6 shots, 1.49 passes to the final third, 1.44 passes to the penalty area, and 0.75 shot assists. But aside from what the statistics say, Yang Min-hyuk was constantly positive, always confident, and a key creative outlet throughout the year, even in his less significant spells of form. The hope will now be that he can continue his impressive development at Tottenham, and eventually become a regular fixture in their first-team.
Team MVP
Hwang Mun-ki
As Gangwon’s most consistent player in 2024, Hwang Mun-ki managed to stand out across the campaign, even if his positional switch to right-back would have on paper seen him grow into a more understated role. Instead, the 27-year-old found a new lease of life there, partnering well with Yang Min-hyuk on the wing with overlapping runs and through balls, and always keen to get crosses into the box for the likes of Yago Cariello, and later Franko Kovacevic. Also vital to how Gangwon played, Hwang would regularly dictate attacks, make himself a favoured passing option in transitions, and importantly provide “clutch” moments such as his late winner for the Bears away at Daegu.
Per 90, Hwang Mun-ki averaged 2.87 crosses, 2.97 dribbles, 7.96 recoveries, 2.44 progressive runs, 3.58 passes to the final third, 3.19 passes to the penalty area, and 3.56 interceptions. Thanks to his contributions, the right-back found himself called up to the South Korea Men’s National Team twice this year, proof his work did not go unnoticed.
Most Important Decision For the Off-Season
Keeping Recruitment Smart, and Trusting in Youth
With continental qualification secured, Gangwon have to keep to their current efficient recruitment strategy in the forefront of their minds, and not be tempted into too many short-term signings. Sure, there is a need to further add to the squad’s depth because the club will be playing in an extra competition next season, and will have ambitions to compete at the highest level domestically and beyond, but at the same time without a significant transfer budget, there still needs to be a quality, not quantity, approach.
For example, while it is fair to say the Bears now need reinforcements on the wing because of Yang Min-hyuk’s departure, players like Yu In-soo have proven themselves capable of playing well in attack over the course of 2024, meaning there’s no reason why they can’t be trusted again until Kim Dae-won returns from Gimcheon Sangmu. So, one or two smart signings, as opposed to a complete overhaul of the position, could work in Gangwon’s favour, and allow them to address other, less urgent areas that could also be fine-tuned, like the defensive positions.
With that being said, Gangwon do have some exciting prospects in their ranks, and they too should be taken into account ahead of the winter transfer window. Notably, Shin Min-ha, a young centre-back who gave a good account of himself in the Bears’ final day 1-0 win over Pohang Steelers, is likely to be given plenty more chances to impress, and potentially even save the club from dipping into the transfer market. Confident on the ball, improving positionally, and a strong tackler too, the 19-year-old has gained experience in South Korea’s U19 and U20 squads recently, so will be confident he can break through as a consistent first-teamer in 2025. Similarly, Jin Jun-seo, who scored his first goal for the Bears over the summer in a 4-2 victory against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and has netted three times in five appearances for South Korea’s U19s, can add to the ranks in attack, even if it’s largely as an impact player. So why not trust in your youth? Gangwon’s history with Yang Hyun-jun and Yang Min-hyuk suggest it’s less of a risky strategy than it may appear.
Month by Month
In February and March, Gangwon started the season with positive signs being shown consistently, but without a win to their name. In an opening round 1-1 draw with Jeju United, the Bears’ newfound attacking verve gave reason for fans to believe there wouldn’t be a repeat of 2023’s low-scoring output, while a hard-fought comeback stalemate with FC Seoul highlighted the strong intangible side of football this team now had at their disposal. Nevertheless, given the team had dropped seven points from winning positions in their first four games alone, it was very clear that the right balance between this new free-flowing style and more of resolute structure needed to be struck.
In April, the beginning of the team’s success truly started. Across their three victories in that month, Gangwon scored 10 times (while conceding only three), with frontman Yago Cariello hitting a purple patch of form, and others such as Yang Min-hyuk and Hwang Mun-ki establishing themselves as key players for the team. In particular, a 4-1 home win against Incheon showed Yoon Jong-hwan’s men at their best, with the team ruthlessly outscoring their xG tally of 1.44, before staying defensively resolute in the second-half to nullify any chances of a comeback. And, while a 4-0 defeat to Ulsan in the middle of this upturn in form, as well as a 1-0 away loss to Gimcheon Sangmu might’ve stuck a pin in the jubilation, that was only going to be temporary.
This was because, following a disappointing 4-2 home defeat at the hands of a clinical Pohang Steelers, where the Bears were made to pay for failing to do more from their 24 shots on goal,things really would definitively click. From May 5th to June 22nd, Gangwon would go unbeaten in the league, winning seven of their eight matches in that period, and at one point, six consecutively. Over this run, a 1-0 home win against Ulsan HD allowed for the team to flex their steely resolve, while 2-1 away triumphs against both Suwon FC and Daegu FC saw late winners secure the three points each time, further cementing the winning mentality flourishing amongst the first-team squad. But it was a 3-1 home victory against Suwon in June that really highlighted Gangwon as potential title contenders. There, the Bears created an xG of 1.86 from 19 shots, made 43 low recoveries, 40 interceptions, and won 44 of their 72 defensive duels in an entertaining counter-attacking display where the forward-line thrived on the rapid directness of players like Yang Min-hyuk and Yago Cariello.
However, things would start to get patchy for Gangwon at the end of June. As well as being knocked out of the Korea Cup, the Bears would lose 3-2 to Gimcheon Sangmu (their second and final home defeat of 2024), and 2-0 to FC Seoul in K League 1 action, thus nullifying their seemingly free-flowing momentum. Fortunately, back-to-back clean sheet victories against Incheon United and Gwangju FC respectively saw the team’s more defensive-minded approach pay dividends, though by mid-July Yoon Jong-hwan’s men would again taste defeat via a 2-0 loss at the hands of Pohang Steelers, and have to work exceptionally hard to secure a comeback 1-1 draw away at Daejeon Hana Citizen.
Was the summer going to be one of unpredictability, then? In a way, yes, though positive consistency would swiftly return to the club towards the end of July, and throughout large parts of August. It started with a resounding 4-0 home win against Jeju United, where Yang Min-hyuk would score his first professional brace, before being quickly followed-up by an emphatic 4-2 victory against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Across these two matches, Gangwon created a total xG of 4.75, made a total of 61 accurate passes to the final third, took 19 shots per game, and truly blew their opponents away with relentless attacking intensity.
Building on these foundations, the Bears then managed an impressive 2-1 away victory at Gimcheon Sangmu, a second-half Lee Sang-heon brace securing the points in a far more efficient display which saw the team take just five shots on goal, but make 66 total recoveries, 39 interceptions, and control the overall flow of proceedings with 56% possession. To top this run of resurgent form off, Gangwon would come from two goals down to win 3-2 at home to Gwangju a week later, showing that even when not at their best, they can quickly punish teams, or at least put them under sustained pressure.
Now at the top of the table, it started to appear as though Yoon Jong-hwan had found the perfect formula for his squad, and that Ulsan may just miss out on a third consecutive title. More impressively, the question was being posed as to whether a team which last year stayed up through a promotion/relegation playoffhad completely transformed themselves into potential title winners.
This question became harder to answer over a winless September. After a disappointing 2-0 defeat to FC Seoul finished Gangwon’s August, the Bears managed two draws and two losses from the following month. In home games against Daegu and Suwon, the team dropped points from winning positions, while a 2-1 away loss against Pohang Steelers saw Park Tae-ha’s men score the decisive winner just seconds after a late Yang Min-hyuk equaliser. Additionally, Ulsan’s 2-0 victory over Gangwon in the middle of September returned the advantage in the title race to the Horangi, aiding the idea that a rethink might be needed once Final A rolls around.
That rethink was firmly realised too. While a 3-1 away win against Incheon United just before the split might’ve suggested the attacking approach could work again – after all, Gangwon created an xG of 4.14 from their 17 shots, and looked sharper than they had in a long time – Yoon Jong-hwan smartly opted for a defensive-minded strategy. Now playing in a defined 5-4-1 shape, the Bears’ first two games in Final A (against FC Seoul and Gimcheon Sangmu respectively) finished as 1-0 victories, where the front-footed approach was traded for structure and solidity, as the Bears started to make a per 90 average of 42.5 low recoveries, 41.5 interceptions, and win around 63% of their defensive duels.
Unfortunately, a nervy 2-1 loss to Ulsan meant the title race was swiftly wrapped up in round 36, and a 4-0 thrashing from Suwon FC meant that going into the international break, things didn’t look as positive for Gangwon, but there was still at least a chance at securing second place. And this opportunity was duly grabbed, with a 1-0 home win against Pohang Steelers pushing the Bears back above Gimcheon as they showcased their defensive potential once more with 59 interceptions, 45 low recoveries, a limiting of the Steelers to just three shots on target, and through winning 41 of their 59 defensive duels.
