The Korean K League 1 is the top division of professional football in South Korea, representing the highest level of the sport in a nation with a rich footballing history and a consistently strong national team. Founded in 1983 as the Korean Super League, it has evolved into a modern, competitive league headquartered in Seoul. The league currently features 12 clubs that play a triple-round-robin format, resulting in 33 matches per team, followed by a split into championship and relegation rounds for the final five games. The team finishing first is crowned champion and earns direct entry into the AFC Champions League. The league is known for its high intensity, physicality, and technical skill, acting as a major supplier of talent to European leagues. Its major awards include the K League 1 championship, the MVP, the Young Player Award, and the Top Scorer award.