Seoul: A veteran goalkeeper for the reigning champions, an 18-year-old phenomenon, and a Brazilian playmaker are in the running for the top individual accolade in the South Korean football league's 2024 season. The Korea Professional Football League (K League) has revealed the nominees for the prestigious awards for the K League 1 campaign. According to Yonhap News Agency, the competition for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award includes Ulsan HD FC's goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who has been instrumental in securing the team's third consecutive title. Jo has played all 37 matches this season, boasting 14 clean sheets and conceding only 38 goals, making Ulsan one of the top defensive teams alongside Gimcheon Sangmu FC. If successful, Jo would become only the second goalie to win the MVP, following Lee Woon-jae of Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 2008. Competing with Jo is Yang Min-hyeok, the 18-year-old sensation from Gangwon FC. Yang made history as the youngest player to score in the K League and has since secured a full-term contract. With 11 goals and six assists, Yang is leading all rookies and has been signed by Tottenham Hotspur, joining the Premier League side in January 2025. Yang stands as a contender not only for the MVP but also for the Young Player of the Year award, aiming to be the first to clinch both titles in a single season. Brazilian forward Anderson Oliveira, known simply as Anderson, from Suwon FC, is another formidable candidate. With 13 assists and 20 goal involvements across 37 matches, Anderson has twice earned Player of the Month honors this season. He joins a select group of foreign players, including three Brazilians, who have previously captured the MVP award. In addition to the MVP race, the Coach of the Year award will see a contest among Kim Pan-gon of Ulsan, Chung Jung-yong of Gimcheon, and Yoon Jong-hwan of Gangwon. Notably, Kim took over midseason after Hong Myung-bo's departure and led Ulsan to a significant resurgence with an impressive record of eight wins, three draws, and one lo ss. The winners of the awards will be determined by a combination of votes from media personnel (40 percent), head coaches (30 percent), and team captains (30 percent). The results will be unveiled at the annual awards ceremony scheduled for November 29.