Who is the "brightest rising star" in Korean soccer? An Ju-wan, Jung Hyeon-woong, Heo Jae-won, and Im Ji-seong compete as top prospects [2026 Futures Star Awards]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A wave of exceptional prospects is emerging in Korean soccer. Who will claim the honor of being this year's "brightest rising star"?

The ceremony for the "2026 Futures Star Awards" (hosted and organized by StarNews; sponsored by the Korea Sports and Olympic Committee, the National Sports Promotion Foundation, the Korea Baseball & Softball Federation, the Korea Basketball Association, the Korea Volleyball Federation, and Korea Sports Leisure Co., Ltd.), now in its fifth year, will be held at 3 p.m. on the 26th in the press conference room on the 19th floor of the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.

In the soccer category, An Ju-wan (17, Shinpyeong High School, Seoul E-Land), Jung Hyeon-woong (18, Osan High School, FC Seoul), Heo Jae-won (18, Jeju Jeil High School, Bayern Munich), and Im Ji-seong (16, Jeonbuk Yeongsae High School, Jeonbuk Hyundai) are in a fierce competition. Two of these four candidates will receive the honor of Myeong I (수상).

First, An Ju-wan, a "supernova" born in 2009, is a prospect who has consecutively broken various youngest-ever records in the K League since his first professional season.

He made a dazzling debut by setting the record for the "youngest appearance" in K League history (16 years, 11 months, and 7 days) last March. Following that, he broke the "youngest goal scorer" record in July and even scored a "youngest multi-goal" performance in a September away match in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. Based on these performances, he has also secured the title of "youngest round MVP in K League 2 history," earning evaluation as a major talent who will lead the future of Korean soccer.

Jung Hyeon-woong, a winger from Seoul U-18 (Osan High School), dominated the high school stage with his explosive speed and dribbling.

This year, he scored 10 goals in the Baekun Cup National High School Soccer Tournament to lead his team to victory. He also recorded 10 goals and 4 assists in the first-half league of the K League Junior, simultaneously securing a win in the A division and the MVP award. Based on this outstanding performance, he signed a semi-professional contract with FC Seoul last August, moving directly to the professional stage. After passing through the U-17 national team, he was recently included in the training roster for the U-20 national team, aiming squarely at participating in next year's FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Goalkeeper Heo Jae-won, boasting an overwhelming physique of 195 cm and quick reflexes, is a prospect who became the first Korean goalkeeper to move directly to a European big league.

A product of the Jeju SK youth system, he signed a semi-professional contract with the club ahead of this season. He earned definite recognition from the coaching staff by undergoing a training assignment with Bayern Munich in January and being selected for "Bayern World Squad 2026" in June. Highly evaluated for his potential, he was suddenly loaned to the prestigious Bundesliga club Bayern Munich (U-19) last August, beginning his challenge toward the world's top stage.

Im Ji-seong, a winger for Jeonbuk Hyundai U-18 (Jeonju Yeongsae High School), is the youngest candidate born in 2010, but he is a top prospect who moves between Yeon Ryeong-byeol (CEO) teams with overwhelming skill.

He is evaluated as possessing not only speed and excellent ball control but also bold shooting and an attacking instinct. In the semifinal against Shinpyeong High School at the Korea Football Park U-18 Champions Cup held last April, he came on as a substitute in the second half despite being a first-year student, scored the winning goal with dazzling dribbling breaks, and led his team to the final. Based on his outstanding performance, he was selected for the under-16 (U-16) national team as well as the under-17 (U-17) national team, where older players form the core, through "grade skipping."

Each award recipient will receive a trophy and prize money. The winners will be announced on the day of the ceremony after review by a selection committee composed of experts.

■ Date: October 26, 2026 (Mon), 3 p.m.

■ Location: Press Conference Room, 19th Floor, Korea Press Center (124 Sejong University-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

■ Recipients: 10 people in total across 7 sports: baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, golf, skateboarding, and artistic gymnastics (2 Grand Prizes, 6 Star Awards, 2 Future Star Awards)

■ Selection Committee Members for Recipients

Former national team manager Kim In-sik (Seon Jeong-wi (Director)), Cha Myeong-ju, official of the Korea Baseball & Softball Federation (KBSA), Jung Min-hyuk, head of the Hanwha Eagles scouting team, Kwon Do-young, section chief of the Kiwoom Heroes scouting team

Han Jun-hee, commentator for Coupang Play, Son Seung-jun, full-time coach for the Korea Football Association, Kwon Oh-gyu, technical director for Bucheon FC, Jung Jae-yoon, scout for Jeonbuk Hyundai

■ Host/Organizer: StarNews

■ Sponsors: Korea Sports and Olympic Committee, National Sports Promotion Foundation, Korea Baseball & Softball Federation, Korea Basketball Association, Korea Volleyball Federation, Korea Sports Leisure Co., Ltd., Palseok Mijin

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original