The Year of the Dragon, the year of Gapjin (甲辰年), has dawned in 2024. Many stars born in the Year of the Dragon are preparing to play an active part in the V-League thanks to the energy of the blue dragon. Let's find out who will shine in the V-League in the second half of the year of Dodram 2023-2024.

 Stars born in 1988 in Guanrok: Kwak Seung-seok, Choi Min-ho, Kim Yeon-kyung, Oh Ji-young

1. Kwak Seung-seok, Korean Air's all-around hexagon player

Kwak Seung-seok, an outside heater of Korean Air, is a veteran who debuted in the fourth place in the first round in the 10th to 11th seasons, and is a franchise star who has been active only in Korean Air since his debut season. He is constantly active as a "save man" who contributes to the team by turning into an attack, defense, and defense when a team is needed.

In terms of balance of offense and defense, which is an essential virtue of an outside heater, Kwak Seung-seok is a player whose strength is stable reception and defense along with offense. In addition to winning the defense award for 11-12 and 13-14 seasons, Kwak was ranked as the only outside heater among the top five with an average of 2.02 digs per set this season. In addition, in receiving, he has been steadily showing his skills, ranking seventh overall in receiving efficiency with 45.25%.

Kwak Seung-seok expressed his determination, "As we are in the Blue Dragon Year, we will show good performance so that we can win four consecutive games with that power as a senior in the team."

2. Hyundai Capital's strong center, Hyundai Capital's Choi Minho

Middle blocker Choi Min-ho also joined Hyundai Capital as the fourth pick in the first round of the 11th to 12th seasons and has been active as a one-club man so far.

Choi Min-ho is showing his league-class skills this season, ranking second in the blocking category with 0.65 blocks per set. Choi Min-ho, who has been selected as the best 7 middle blocker for a total of four times since his debut, has become the best 7 middle blocker for two consecutive seasons from the 21st to 22nd to 23rd seasons, and is playing as the league's representative middle blocker. Attention is focusing on whether he will be able to become another best 7 middle blocker through his performances in the second half of the year.

3. Star of stars, Heungkuk Life Kim Yeonkyung

Kim Yeon-kyung, who joined Heungkuk Life Insurance as the No. 1 player in the first round of the 05-06 season, became a sensation in the V-League upon joining the team. From the 09-10 season when he entered Japan, he took the lead in achieving three regular league wins and three championship titles. In his debut season, he won the Rookie of the Year award, the regular league MVP, the championship MVP, and another triple crown, winning a total of seven round MVPs and three monthly MVPs.

In particular, Kim is the only female figure skater who has advanced to the championship game in all seasons. In the six seasons she has played as a member of Heungkuk Life Insurance, there has been no single season in which she has failed to make the championship game, which is the first time in women's history. Expectations are high on Kim's New Year's Day, in which she has captured both box office success and skills (based on players who have participated in more than four seasons).

4. Oh Ji-young, a former member of the national team, is from Pepper Savings Bank

Pepper Savings Bank's Libero Oh Ji-young entered the V-League as the fourth player in the first round of the 06-07 season. After stepping into the V-League as an outside hitter, Oh has turned to Libero and has displayed remarkable defense so far, taking charge of the back of Pepper Savings Bank.

Oh Ji-young, who has been ranked as the best seven libero for 17-18 and 18-19 consecutive seasons, is currently playing a solid role in defense. This season, he is playing a strong senior role at Pepper Savings Bank, which consists of relatively low-grade players, while ranking fourth in receiving with an average of 4.88 digs per set, fourth in receiving with 43.63% receiving efficiency, and second in defense with 7.88 per set.

Oh Ji-young burned her will, saying, "There were some disappointing games last year, but I'm desperate, and I'll keep my back so that Pepper Savings Bank can fly like a dragon in the Blue Dragon Sea."

 Potential and Growth, Year of the Dragon born in 2000 Star: Kim Junwoo, Shin Seunghoon, Park Hyemin, Lee Juah

1. The Future of Middle Blocker, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Kim Jun-woo

Samsung Fire's middle blocker Kim Joon-woo is a second-year player who debuted as the third-ranked player in the first round of the 22-23 season, scoring 126 points, which is third among middle blockers this season, and ranking fourth in blocking with an average of 0.57 per set and a 60.34% success rate, contributing to Samsung Fire's leap to the top.

Kim Jun-woo, who was recognized for his potential by winning the Rookie of the Year award last season. Kim's potential this season has led to growth, adding to the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance's remarkable record.

Kim Joon-woo vowed, "As I was expected to win the Rookie of the Year award last season, I will blow up the energy of the dragon so that Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance can win this season."

2. Shin Seung-hoon, KB Insurance's rising field commander, born in 2000

Shin ranked sixth in the first round of the rookie draft for the 21st-22nd season, and wore a uniform of KB Insurance. He played in 12 games in his first season since debut, 21 games in his second year as a professional player, and 17 games in his second season as of the 22nd to 23rd season, and returned to the third round, and has been given more opportunities to play in every season. The fact that he is a 195-cm tall setter also gives a boost to Shin's potential. 먹튀검증

Shin Seung-hoon, who has grown from the promising setter to the next level and is growing into a strong field commander every time the team shakes, said, "I will convey the energy of the Year of the Dragon born in 00 so that KB Insurance can show better performance in 2024, the Year of the Dragon."

3. Park Hye-min, the epitome of steady and stable growth

Park Hye-min, an outside hitter under Chung, entered the V-League as the third player in the first round of the rookie draft for the 18th and 19th seasons. Park, who is already in his sixth season, is showing steady growth. Notably, Park has shown strong receiving efficiency, developing to 28.47 percent from the 21st to 22nd season, 36.92 percent from the 22nd to the 23rd season, and 37.32 percent from the 23rd to the 24th season.

Park Hye-min said, "We will do our best to become more one in the new year of 2024 and show you many good things."

4. Lee Joo-ah, a strong middle blocker who was ranked first in the first round, is Heungkuk Life Insurance

Lee Joo-ah, who wore Heungkuk Life's uniform as the No. 1 player in the first round of the rookie draft in the 18th and 19th seasons, is growing into the next middle blocker in Korea, taking charge of the center of Heungkuk Life for six seasons and joining the national team.

Lee Ju-ah has continued her performance this season. She ranked fourth with 0.64 blocks per set on average, fourth with 50.49 percent success rate, and fifth with 35.48 percent success rate, ranking at the top in various indicators showing middle blockers' capabilities.

Lee Joo-ah confidently said, "This year is the year of the dragon, but Heungkuk Life will win and make it a more special year for me, who was born in the year of the dragon."

Meanwhile, many players born in the year of the dragon, including Koo Kyohyuk of KEPCO, Lee Jin-sung of OK Financial Group, Kim Young-joon of Woori Card, Ko Ui-jeong of Korea Expressway Corporation, and Moon Ji-yoon of GS Caltex, are also contributing to their team's fierce competition for rankings. We hope that players born in the year of the dragon, who describe the spirit of the blue dragon, will shine more on the court for the rest of the season.