The world watches as the best League of Legends players prepare to converge in Beijing for Worlds 2025. Among the many teams vying for the Summoner’s Cup, Top Esports enters the tournament as the LPL’s third seed, representing their region on home soil. In an exclusive interview, the team’s toplaner Bai “369” Jia-Hao sat down with Sheep Esports to discuss the upcoming tournament, share his thoughts on the strength of other regions, and what fans can expect from his team.

This is your first time competing at Worlds in China since 2020, which was also your first Worlds appearance. How does it feel to represent your home country on home soil again?

Bai "369" Jia-Hao: "Back then, in 2020, I didn’t feel like we ended with a very good result. Hopefully this year, we can have a better run at Worlds 2025.

Many expect the LCK to be very strong this year, while some are underestimating the LPL. What do you think about the current balance between regions, and how do you feel Top Esports will perform against LCK teams?

369: I don’t want to call any team strong or weak. Everyone here is the strongest from their own region and deserves respect. Still, what I will say is that no one will want to draw Top Esports.

Top Esports is known for performing very well in the LPL, but sometimes not doing as well internationally. What do you think caused that in the past, and have you found a solution to prevent it this time?

369: The only thing I’ll say is: just wait to see us play on stage. We’re going to show everyone a new Top Esports face and style.

This year has been a roller coaster for Top Esports. How do you think the struggles of Split 1 and 2 helped you grow, both as a player and as a team?

369: Throughout the year, we’ve kept growing and improving a lot as a team. Our coordination is really good now, and we’re much more on the same page than before. That’s the key to why we’ve become so strong and managed to go so far in the LPL.

Is there something about Top Esports that sets you apart from the other teams at Worlds?

369: [Pauses to think] All five of us have very strong individual mechanics and ability.

You were voted the second All-Pro Top Laner in the LPL this split, and many people have praised your growth. How do you feel about your career and level? Do you think you’re at your peak?

369: Regardless of my current level, my goal is to always keep improving and do a better job than yesterday’s 369.

Is there any team you particularly want to face at Worlds?

369: I’d have to say pretty much all the LCK teams. I really want to see how we’ll fare against them.

For the past two years, you’ve said that Western teams looked strong, but both times they ended up underperforming. Are you going to say the same thing again this year, or do you think differently this time about the level of the West?

369: [Smirks] It’d be best if what happened before—me praising Western teams before they underperformed—didn’t happen again. I genuinely think Western teams are at their strongest this year.

Fans in the West often joke that Korean and Chinese players are too nice when they compliment Western teams and don’t actually believe what they say. What do you think about that?

369: Being completely honest, from the bottom of my heart, I always want to give respect to all players and teams. I believe they’re all good. Still, I don’t really care about these external things. I just want to try my best and focus on my own gameplay.

Is there anything you’d like to add before Worlds?

369: Please keep supporting us and supporting Top Esports. We’re going to try our best to put on a good performance on stage this year."