League of Legends World Championship: Gen.G, heading towards the silver road (16/20)

The League of Legends 2024 World Championship kicks off in Berlin on the 25th of September. A total of 20 teams will compete to succeed T1 at the top of the Riot Games MOBA world hierarchy. On this occasion, Sheep Esports brings you a daily feature on one of the teams taking part. This September 20th, the sixteenth episode of our series focuses on Gen.G, LCK second seed.

Once more, Gen.G enters Worlds 2024 after an extraordinary year. Having built a super team centered around their star midlaner, Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon, and ADC Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan during the last offseason, the organization assembled a roster that quickly became dominant at every single position. They boasted an incredible regular season record, finishing both Spring and Summer with a near-perfect 17-1, showcasing their strength very early on in the season and throughout the whole year.

In the playoffs, it was the same thing. Gen.G actually did not lose a single BO5 series until the Summer grand final. Indeed, in the Spring Split, they even accomplished a never-before-seen 4-peat consisting of a team winning 4 splits in a row in LCK after defeating once more T1, their ultimate rival, 3-2. Among f those four titles, only one player lifted every single trophy: Chovy.

Their dominance carried into international competition, as Gen.G also claimed victory in the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). At MSI, they reaffirmed their position as the best, outclassing top-tier teams like Fnatic, TES, and BLG twice in a row, solidifying their status as the #1 favorite heading into Worlds. Their performance was a masterclass in execution, leaving little doubt that they were the team to beat this year.

However, their momentum faltered in the Summer Split grand final, where Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) denied Gen.G their fifth consecutive domestic title. This was Gen.G’s only best-of-five series loss in 2024, and it came at a critical moment. HLE, rising significantly during the playoffs, managed to disrupt Gen.G’s typically commanding pace, leaving the super team unable to dictate the game as they had throughout the entire season. As a result, Gen.G comes into Worlds 2024 not as Korea's reigning champions but in the unexpected position of a second seed, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their otherwise stellar season. Whether this loss becomes a turning point to regain confidence or a seed of doubt remains to be seen.

On the brighter side, with the pressure of the elusive "Golden Road" prophecy—winning every split and international event in a year—no longer a concern, Gen.G can potentially compete with less weight on their shoulders. Yet, despite this, one lingering challenge remains: breaking the so-called "Chovy curse." The player, widely regarded as one of the greatest midlaners of all time, has consistently struggled to make it to the Grand Finals at Worlds. Since his first appearance in 2019, he has been knocked out in four quarterfinals and one semifinal. For Gen.G to truly reach the pinnacle, they must help him overcome this long-standing hurdle and finally secure the international glory that has thus far eluded him.

It is difficult to highlight a specific player when the entire team is composed of one of, if not the best player in the world at his role. However, it is clear that the team has been completely transformed by Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu's arrival. The jungler has once again proven that he is the best in the LCK despite not playing alongside Heo "ShowMaker" Su anymore. He consistently showcased sharp mechanics and unmatched game sense throughout the year. Opponents should be especially wary of his signature champions, Lee Sin and Nidalee, as the evolving Worlds meta could bring more carry-oriented junglers into prominence, playing right into his strengths. With his eyes set on a second Worlds title, he is a pivotal force for the Korean powerhouse.

Joining him this year are top laner Kim "Kiin" Gi-in, renowned for his consistent dominance in the LCK, and the returning support Son "Lehends" Si-woo, whose synergy with the team has been a crucial factor in their success. Together, this roster forms a well-rounded powerhouse, with Kiin providing stability and versatility in the top lane and Lehends delivering exceptional playmaking, particularly with his recent picks like Blitzcrank and Renata Glasc, which have been crucial in recent games. As the support meta is expected to remain relatively stable going into Worlds, Lehends could still have a few pocket picks up his sleeve to provide comfort and security for his ADC, Peyz, who at just 18 years old, is aiming for his first Worlds title.

You'll find below the 5-man roster of Gen.G: