BLG Bin: "MAD Lions KOI, I know you'll prepare some strange picks, but save them. You’ll need those when you're 0-1"

Ahead of his match against the MAD Lions, Bin shares his expectations for Worlds and his desire to finally win the tournament for the first time.

Chen "Bin" Ze-Bin, toplaner of Bilibili Gaming in the LPL, competing at Worlds 2024 for China.

"I'm a player who can play any champions, even those I haven't played before or that aren't meta. No matter what is played, I know I can perform well."

As Bilibili Gaming prepares to make their League of Legends Worlds 2024 entrance against MAD Lions KOI, Chen "Bin" Zebin sits down with Sheep Esports to discuss his hopes for the tournament and his fervent determination to win Worlds not only for himself but for the entire LPL.

Happy birthday! How was your trip to Europe, and are you excited for Worlds?

Chen "Bin" Zebin: Thank you for the birthday wishes. Our trip to Europe was a bit tiring because we transferred through Amsterdam, and we've never had that kind of transfer before, so it was a bit troublesome. As for Berlin, my first impression is that it's a little cold, but it's been fine otherwise.

What did it mean to beat Weibo Gaming in the LPL finals, especially after losing to them in the 2023 Worlds semifinals?

Bin: Because they changed the toplaner and jungler, this year's Weibo isn't the same as last year's. I think it's impossible to call it revenge since it's not the same team. It takes five people to make a team, so for me, this year's Weibo is different. It wasn’t really about revenge this time.

Do you consider yourself the best toplaner in the world right now?

Bin: In my eyes, whether during the MSI or the LPL, I think I've performed on par with what's expected from the best toplaner in the world, so yes, I think I'm the best. I've proved that I'm the world's number one toplaner.

Do you think Western fans should be allowed to have hopes for Worlds this year? What do you think of the West's level?

Bin: For me, I definitely hope Western teams can perform well at Worlds and be more competitive, because the more teams that show they are competitive, the better it is for everyone. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing how Western teams do this year. Maybe they can beat lower LPL or LCK teams, but definitely not us.

Do you have a message for MAD Lions, who you'll be facing in the first round?

Bin: I know this is a BO1, so you guys might prepare some strange picks for us. But what I wanna say is, save them, because we’re going to beat you, and you’ll need them when you’re 0-1. We definitely won’t give you any chance.

Many people expect the LCK to be strong at Worlds, especially Hanwha Life and Gen.G. How do you rate the current level of the LPL? How confident are you that BLG will win Worlds?

Bin: For me, it’s natural that people think the LCK is the best region because they won the past two World Championships and MSI. So, it makes sense they are seen as the favorites. But this year, BLG will break that myth, and we will win the World Championship.

Given recent talks about the LPL's state, do you feel added pressure to win Worlds this year and restore the league's image?

Bin: We definitely want to win the championship, not only for ourselves but also our region. It's for the entire LPL and the Chinese audience, for everyone. So, we have to win the championship; this is for the LPL.

What do you feel about the current meta and the prominence of picks like Renekton and K'Sante? Do you feel you have enough agency as a toplaner to impact the game and carry?

Bin: For me, it’s hard to see the meta at the moment because we haven't seen strong teams face each other, so it's tough to say which champions are meta. However, I feel like I'm a player who can play any champions, even those I haven't played before or that aren't meta. No matter what is played, I know I can perform well.

Bin, ready for the Worlds 2024 media day. Credit: Bilibili Gaming on X

Last year, you arm wrestled with BrokenBlade and won. He recently mentioned wanting a rematch. Do you have a message for him about that?

Bin: I don't know if BrokenBlade trained much last year, but I'm looking forward to the arm wrestling and hope I can win again.

Is there a specific team you want to face at Worlds this year?

Bin: For me, it's definitely T1. An LPL team has never beaten them in BO5s at Worlds. If we can beat them and become champions, it would be a historic moment for us.

Header Photo Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games