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The 6th MVP, the most among the men's and women's divisions, “I didn't win the championship, but my personal performance was okay “I will announce my retirement to the fans and prepare together.” Leo placed 3rd in the men’s division and became the team’s first MVP. Male Lee Jae-hyeon and female Kim Se-bin won the Rookie Award.

Kim Yeon-kyung (Heungkuk Life Insurance) was selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for two consecutive seasons and for the sixth time in her career at the 2023-2024 professional volleyball V-League awards ceremony held on the 8th. The six-time MVP award is the most among professional volleyball men's and women's divisions. Kim Yeon-kyung holds up the MVP trophy in her right hand and the Best 7 trophy in her left hand at her award ceremony. “I will challenge for my seventh MVP award next year,” she said.

“I decided to take on one more challenge for my fans.”

‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung (36, Heungkuk Life Insurance) announced her intention to continue playing as a player. Kim Yeon-kyung was selected as the women's best player (MVP) and appeared on stage at the 2023-2024 professional volleyball V-League awards ceremony held at The K Hotel in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 8th. Kim Yeon-kyung, who was asked by her host about her retirement, said, “I thought about it a lot,” and then added, “I think the fans who still want to watch my volleyball have a big heart. “She will do her best next season and show herself at the top once more,” she said, making the extension of her playing career official.

Kim Yeon-kyung agonized over the issue of her retirement last year as well, but she eventually returned to her court after signing a one-year contract with Heungkuk Life Insurance. She didn't nail her due date this time. Whenever she was asked about her retirement during the season, she responded, “No comment right now.” Kim Yeon-kyung said, “If it is the final season, I want to talk about retirement in advance and prepare my heart with my fans.” said. This means she can continue to play after next season.

Kim Yeon-kyung, who debuted on the professional volleyball stage in the 2005-2006 season, played in overseas leagues such as Japan, Turkye, and China for 11 years starting from the 2009-2010 season. Then, Kim Yeon-kyung, who returned to the V-League stage ahead of the 2020-2021 season, led Heungkuk Life Insurance to the championship stage in all three seasons except for the 2021-2022 season, when she played in the Chinese league. However, he never had anything to do with winning. This season, Heungkuk Life Insurance, which finished second in the regular league, failed to regain the top spot by losing all three games to Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the team ranked first in the regular league, in the championship match. The last time Kim Yeon-kyung lifted the championship trophy on the V-League stage was in the 2008-2009 season.

Kim Yeon-kyung said, “The results this season were not good, but regardless, I have been thinking about it with the club officials, coach, family, and acquaintances since the middle of the season. “His individual performance this year was also good, so we decided to extend his playing career,” he said.

Kim Yeon-kyung ranked first among domestic players (second overall) with an attack success rate of 44.98% this season. His scoring (775 points) was also first among domestic players (sixth overall). He also left outstanding records in defense, including 5th place in serve-receive efficiency (42.46%). And as a result of the reporters' vote released at the awards ceremony, he received 20 out of 31 votes, beating Hyundai Engineering & Construction's Yang Hyo-jin (35, middle blocker, 5 votes), and won the regular league MVP for two consecutive seasons and his personal sixth. This is the record for the most MVP awards across the men's and women's divisions. Kim Yeon-kyung said, “I will do my best to challenge for MVP for the 7th time next year.”

Kim Yeon-kyung was also named among the top 7 outside hitters on this day. Among the top 7 women's division this season, the only Heungkuk Life Insurance player is Kim Yeon-kyung. This is proof that Heungkuk Life Insurance is a team that is highly dependent on Kim Yeon-kyung. Kim Yeon-kyung, who said, “I think next season will be more burdensome,” said, “I understand that the club’s front office is working hard to reinforce players. “I hope to get a player who has a passion for volleyball and can bring energy to the team,” she said.

The men's MVP went to Leo (34, Cuba, photo) of OK Financial Group, the 3rd place team in the regular league. This is the first time that the men's MVP came from a third-place team. In the women's division, Daeyoung Jeong (43, retired) of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the third-place team in the 2005 season, her first year as a professional, received the MVP. Leo, who was selected as the regular league MVP for three consecutive seasons starting from the 2012-2013 season as a member of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, added the trophy for the first time in nine years, increasing the record for most MVP awards in the men's division to four. The men's and women's rookie player awards went to Lee Jae-hyun (22, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance) and Kim Se-bin (19, Korea Expressway Corporation).