HLE Viper: "Gen.G may be hungry for revenge, but I will be waiting for them whenever they come"

A few hours away from Hanwha Life's opening match at Worlds 2024, Viper looks back on his long-awaited LCK title and turns his sights on Worlds.

Park "Viper" Do-hyeon, AD Carry of Hanwha Life Esports in the LCK, ready to participate at Worlds 2024

"I’ve always thought our team is the strongest; we have the best players when we’re in great form."

On September 9, Park “Viper” Do-hyeon corrected the anomaly plaguing his trophy case: after three failed attempts in the finals between 2018 and 2019, he won the first LCK title of his career in Summer 2024. Ranked fifth in our Top 30 League of Legends Worlds 2024 players, Hanwha Life Esports' AD Carry is now at the top of his game and among those who can legitimately lay claim to the final crown. A few hours before HLE's opening match against PSG Talon in the Swiss Stage, the 2021 World Champion—with Edward Gaming—spoke exclusively to Sheep Esports. Viper looks back on this long-awaited title and the status of his team.

You've just arrived in Europe, so how has your trip been? Are you excited for Worlds? And how is the team feeling ahead of the tournament?

Park "Viper" Do-hyeon: “All of my teammates are pretty experienced. They have this experience of traveling and everything, so adapting to a new country is not a problem. I've never had a problem with it when I went overseas. I'm satisfied with everything except for the long flight time. I'm really looking forward to this year's Worlds and I'm excited for it to kick off.

What did it mean to you to win your first LCK title in 2024, especially against Gen.G, and finally claim the last trophy missing from your collection?

Viper: It has always been my personal goal. I felt a sense of accomplishment from being able to achieve that. The happiness and fulfillment I felt at that moment were amazing. I do have a Worlds trophy, but it doesn't matter if you actually have it or not. You always have to perform and do a great job. The fact that you are a Worlds winner means you always have to play up to that level and play under so much expectation. This year, I've been grinding so much, and the hard work has finally been rewarded.

After winning the title, your teammates were ecstatic, but you seemed very calm. Peanut jokingly called out that you were too focused on your image. Could you tell us more about how you felt during that moment?

Viper: I'm actually really quiet; I don’t talk much, and I don’t show big emotional reactions. That’s just who I am. When I reached the Finals, I thought, "If I win, I might cry, I might burst into tears." But I also thought, "Maybe I shouldn’t cry?"

Winning the last game was unexpected—it was a very intense game. Everything was happening so fast, and when we won, all the memories from the past two years rushed through me. It wasn’t just about this season, but also all the ups and downs from last year. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions, and that’s why I reacted the way I did. I think it was natural. After that, I was celebrating really hard with my team.

Despite winning the LCK finals, many still consider Gen.G the best team in Korea. How do you feel about the level of HLE now? Would you say you disagree with this sentiment and see your team as the best there is?

Viper: I don't think people are so wrong to think that. Even though we won the Summer Playoffs, teams like Gen.G and BLG performed better throughout the year, and people remember their good sides over recent performances. I don't want to judge how people make their rankings and evaluations. I don't think they're wrong, and I don't think it's going to get into my mind either. I’ve always thought our team is the strongest; we have the best players when we’re in great form.

A lot of people consider you the best ADC in the World. Would you agree with this statement? Have you ever felt like these opinions about you could ever get to your head?

Viper: I always thought I was the best. I’ve kept that confidence in mind throughout my entire career. I’ve been playing games with my heart, so I don’t feel any influence. But objectively, if you ask me if I’m the best ADC in the world right now, I might just shake my head a little bit or question that.

I think I still have a lot to show and prove when I compare myself to the players who are the best in their own regions. Because I’m always in a position where people evaluate me and estimate how good I am, I have this responsibility in my mind to play up to that level.

Viper's Stats during the LCK Summer 2024. Source: Sheep Stats

Who is your biggest rival in this tournament, and do you have a message for them?

Viper: Gen.G will still be the best team. We know each other well, and we took revenge on them in the last game. I think they might be really hungry for revenge, but I will be waiting for them whenever they come.”

Header Photo Credit: LCK/Riot Games