Most Valuable defensive midfielders by Market Value in K League 1 2026

At a glance

Jeong-Hyun Kim of Daegu FC is the standout for raw talent across defensive midfielders in K League 1, with a Field Insider Rating of 38.1, and Lee Jae-Won has been the form player this season, grading 22.

The numbers a scout watches are the year-on-year jumps: Kim Jung-Hyun has improved his Season rating most, up +5.9 on last season. Those are the players whose trajectory is bending upward fastest.

By our market-value index, Hwang Do-Yoon of FC Seoul is the most valuable name in this group at 10.3.

Best talent

Jeong-Hyun Kim38.1RTG

Daegu FC

In form

Lee Jae-Won22SsN

Suwon City FC

Rising potential

Lee Jae-Won-8.6RTG

Suwon City FC · 24/25→25/26

Most improved

Kim Jung-Hyun+5.9SsN

FC Anyang · 20/21→25/26

Top scorer

Lee Jae-Won2goals

Suwon City FC

Most valuable

Hwang Do-Yoon10.3val

FC Seoul