Megawati Hangestri: V-League Clubs Compete for Asian Star as Korean Teams Show Interest Amid Red Spark and Pink Spiders Transfer Rumors

As the 2026/2027 Korean V-League season approaches, speculation is mounting regarding the potential return of Indonesian volleyball star Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi to South Korea’s top women’s volleyball league. Her impressive performances during her two-season stint with Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks have drawn interest from several clubs, prompting discussions about her possible contract value and future in the league.

Currently focused on domestic commitments with Jakarta Pertamina Enduro as they prepare for the final four of the Proliga 2026, Megawati’s impact in Korea has been undeniable. The team faces tough competition from Jakarta Popsivo Polwan, Jakarta Electric PLN, and Gresik Phonska Plus Pupuk Indonesia, with the final four scheduled to commence on April 2nd, 2026, in Surabaya. This domestic focus underscores Megawati’s dedication to her national team and club commitments while her future in the V-League remains a topic of discussion.

Several Korean media outlets have reported that three teams are closely monitoring Megawati’s situation: Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks, AI Peppers Savings Bank, and GS Caltex Seoul KIXX. These clubs are reportedly considering the Indonesian opposite hitter after witnessing her contributions during her previous stint in the V-League. Megawati’s ability to elevate a team’s performance, as evidenced by her leading the Daejeon Red Sparks to the 2025 V-League final – where she scored an impressive 37 points in a single match – has clearly left a lasting impression.

During her two seasons with Red Sparks, Megawati established herself as one of the league’s most impactful Asian quota players. In her debut season (2023-2024), she finished as the league’s seventh-highest scorer with 736 points and ranked fourth in attack efficiency at 43.95%. In the 2024-2025 season, she climbed to third in total points with 802 and topped the league with a 48.06% attack success rate, dominating categories like open attack, quick spike, and counterattack.

Her presence not only boosted Red Sparks’ on-court performance but also increased the club’s popularity in Indonesia. A large number of Indonesian fans visited the Daejeon Chungmu Gymnasium to watch her matches. Despite expressing a desire to extend her contract, Megawati opted to return to Indonesia after the 2024-2025 season to care for her ailing mother, as reported by Naver Sport and confirmed by Tempo.co on April 10, 2025. She has since turned down a new contract offer from Red Sparks and decided not to compete in the V-League for the 2025-2026 season.

Red Sparks coach Ko Hee-jin has taken steps to continue collaboration with Megawati, requesting that she be presented with a new contract, which the club agreed to. However, their offer went unanswered as Megawati chose to focus on her personal commitments in Indonesia, including plans to marry her boyfriend, Dio Novandra, a national finswimming athlete.

While Megawati remains committed to her domestic obligations in Indonesia for now, her proven track record in the V-League continues to generate interest from multiple Korean clubs. Whether she will return for the 2026/2027 season depends on her personal circumstances and the offers presented by interested teams, but her legacy as a dynamic force in Korean volleyball remains intact.