Despite not entering Worlds 2025 as favorites, Hanwha Life Esports remain a force to be reckoned with. Representing the storied League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), the team continues its steady run in Beijing, aiming for the cup alongside their regional counterparts. In an exclusive interview, toplaner Choi “Zeus” Woo-je sat down with Sheep Esports to discuss his growth as a player, his role within the team, and who he hopes to face at the tournament.

How has practice been for Worlds, and how are you feeling heading into the tournament? Are you confident about winning the trophy again this year?

Choi "Zeus" Woo-je: Practice is going great, and I’m pretty confident in our performance as well. I always come to Worlds with the mindset to win it all, but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t think too much about having to win. It’s not like I’m completely caught up in the idea that I must win.

Have you seen the new design of the Worlds trophy? It’s round now, so it should be harder for you to bump your head on it this time.

Zeus: The previous trophy was indeed very heavy. I’m glad it’s become safer. I hope I can win another championship this year so I can do another trophy lifting ceremony.

Many people seem to be underestimating Hanwha Life Esports this year since you didn’t win the LCK. What are your expectations?

Zeus: I understand where they’re coming from because Gen.G just won the LCK and T1 are back-to-back Worlds champions, so I agree with them a little bit. But I also believe Hanwha Life has its own strengths and is very competitive, and I’m very confident in our form as well.

What do you think is Hanwha Life’s biggest strength—something other teams don’t have?

Zeus: Mostly our early-game macro play.

After spending so much time on T1, this year has been a big change for you with new teammates and a new environment. What’s the biggest area where you’ve grown as a player since joining Hanwha Life?

Zeus: Because I was on T1 for a very long time, I had a solidified role as a player. Now that I’ve transitioned to a new team, I had to adapt to a new environment and new teammates. I learned how to express my opinions and be a little more vocal about them. That’s the area I really worked on.

You mentioned that if you won Worlds, you would shave Han "Peanut" Wang-ho’s head—but you were speaking for your teammates. What about you? Would you join him in going bald?

Zeus: If we win Worlds, I’m down to do whatever. But I’ll definitely make Peanut shave his head.

Which team would you most like to face at Worlds?

Zeus: If I had to pick one team, it would be T1. I’m really excited to see what kind of performance and play they’ll bring to the table, and it would also be a new experience for me to face T1 at Worlds. It looks like the fourth seeds are even more stacked this year, so I’m excited to see what happens.