In a marquee first-time matchup, last year’s K League 1 winners Ulsan HD face the newly-promoted K League 2 champions FC Anyang. For the Horangi, experience, resolve, and quality shone through last year, and their eight-point lead at the top of the table and 11-league match unbeaten run to end 2024 proved they were, ultimately, undisputed victors. Anyang, on the other hand, finished their season with three consecutive draws, and so will hope their winter recruitment - namely K League 2’s top scorer Bruno Mota - can help their push to remain competitive in their debut top-flight campaign, starting on Sunday. The Violets are the first club to be promoted to K League 1 for the very first time since 2016, so all eyes will be on how they start their very first season in the top flight.

Following on from a commendable 2024, Gimcheon Sangmu will hope to begin this season brightly when they travel to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The military side - aided by a particularly strong current crop of players - finished in third last campaign and are unbeaten in opening-day action since (two draws, two wins). Chung Jung-yong’s men were reasonably solid on their travels last season too, winning seven games, drawing five, and losing seven. However, this Sunday Jeonbuk are aiming to kickstart a far more successful year for themselves, having needed to defeat Seoul E-Land in a promotion-relegation playoff in December to retain their top-flight status.

As Daegu FC look to have a more productive 2025 after securing their top-flight status last season through a promotion-relegation playoff, the Sky Blues will again look towards Cesinha for inspiration. The Brazilian scored 13 goals and assisted eight last year, averaging a goal contribution roughly every 125 minutes. Cesinha has a good record against Gangwon, too, with eight goals and seven assists in 22 appearances, 11 of which ended in Daegu wins. But his first task of this campaign will be a tough one as Daegu have to get past Gangwon FC, who were the surprise package of 2024, and a team that scored six goals against Daegu across their three meetings last season.

Starting the new K League season will be Pohang Steelers and Daejeon Hana Citizen. The Steelers head into Round 1 hoping to build on their Korea Cup victory at the end of 2024, while the Purples have recruited players such as Joo Min-kyu, Jeong Jae-hee, and Ha Chang-rae with aims of reaching Final A come season's end. Then, Jeju SK face FC Seoul, with the Tangerines wanting to be a tougher outfit this season after losing 19 times last year, whereas Seoul are confident they are on the right track under Kim Gi-dong given they secured a fourth-place finish in 2024 (their highest final standing since 2019). Saturday also sees Gwangju FC host Suwon FC. Here, the Griffins know a win could help spearhead a fruitful season, though Kim Eun-jung's Suwon are out to prove they'll continue competing at the top end of the table themselves.