Jeju SK, which laid the groundwork for a rebound with a victory, will try for a second straight win backed by the support of home fans. The opponent is league leader FC Seoul. But with "living legend" Jeong Un (36) joining the team and the squad becoming more firmly united as a "one team," they are determined that nothing is impossible.
Jeju SK will clash with Seoul in the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 round 13 home match at Jeju World Cup Stadium at 2 p.m. on the 9th. Currently Jeju SK sits ninth in the league with 4 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses for 15 points. In round 12 away at Bucheon, they ended a two-game losing streak with a 1-0 win thanks to Nam Tae-hee's winning goal.
Jeju SK's next opponent after the mood swing is Seoul. Seoul currently leads K League 1 with 26 points. A tough match is expected. But Jeju SK plans to focus on accumulating wins in the fierce battle for league positions while seeking revenge. Last season they beat Seoul in all three head-to-head meetings, but in the third-round home game against Seoul in March they unfortunately lost 1-2.
The key to the match is how to minimize gaps in personnel. Currently captain Lee Chang-min and Italo are listed among the injured. In addition, Tobias was substituted out with an injury in the round 12 away match at Bucheon. Despite encountering injury obstacles, veteran Jeong Un, who has been through it all, is taking the helm as the steersman toward victory.
Jeong Un came on as a substitute in the 37th minute of the second half in the round 12 away match at Bucheon, replacing Lim Chang-woo. It was his first appearance in 163 days since the Nov. 23 home round 37 match against Daegu (1-1 draw). Although his playing time was brief, he delivered unchanged performance and helped secure a clean-sheet victory. This appearance was particularly meaningful because it was earned through friendly competition rather than as an honor for a legend.
It would not be an exaggeration to call Jeong Un Jeju's "living legend." The only player on the team born in the 1980s, Jeong Un (born 1989) has worn the Jeju uniform since January 2016 and has been the longest-serving member of the current squad. (K League total: 225 appearances, 7 goals, 15 assists; K League 1: 201 appearances, 5 goals, 15 assists; K League 2: 24 appearances, 2 goals). After returning from the Croatian stage to domestic play, except for his military service period (June 2018–Jan. 2020 with Gimpo Citizen FC), he has worn only the Jeju uniform.
Now in the twilight of his soccer career, Jeong Un has seen reduced playing opportunities since last season (11 K League 1 appearances), but he has led by example as the eldest brother both on and off the field for the team's competitiveness. In preseason he showed strong confidence to manager Sergio Costa by asking "please trust me," and he earned a chance to play after 163 days and proved himself with his performance. After the match, manager Sergio Costa raised his thumb and said, "Veteran player Jeong Un came on as a substitute and showed a fantastic performance."
In response, Jeong Un, defining himself as a "happy player," smiled brightly. Jeong Un said, "As a player, the desire to play is intense. But the team matters more than the individual, and there are players currently showing good performances. I am really happy to be able to help when a teammate is struggling, like today. The manager always respects and trusts the players, and that trust seems to appear on the field. I want to tell the fans that the happy Jeong Un has returned. I will always do my best to continue giving the team and fans a (happy) Jeong Un."
Jeong Un's addition is also a synergy that does not show up on the scoresheet. As a veteran with timeless skill and rich experience and as a vice captain, Jeong Un also takes on the role of "voice leader" in the locker room, assisting captain Lee Chang-min. Jeong Un said, "Jeju SK's true strength is that it moves as a team, not as individuals. The manager is excellent at bringing all members together as one. As the eldest brother, I will always lead by example so I can be the knot of success. I may not know if I will be given a chance in the Seoul match, but whatever the situation I will run together as one team. Fierce competition for positions is unfolding, but if we remain united like now, we will ultimately be higher on the standings."
OSEN=Reporter Go Seong-hwan