The 2023 Worlds Main Event kicks off this Thursday, introducing the best teams in the world. Here's the first edition of our overview of the major regional representatives at the Worlds, focusing on the LCK.

In the realm of League of Legends, Korea equates to success, dominance, and even hegemony. Over the past 13 years, this region has continually captured the imagination, establishing itself as the undeniable epicenter of global esports in League of Legends. Last year, the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) sent all four of its representatives to the quarterfinals of the 2022 Worlds. Three of these teams even reached the semifinals, culminating in an all-Korean final – the fourth in history.

It's hard not to regard the Korean league as a titan when assessing contenders for a competition. Especially since the LCK started this year with a single goal: reclaim the Summoner's Cup. The league formed five formidable teams, notable for both the individual talent of their players and the collective potential. Four of these teams secured their much-contested spots at the Worlds, although it wasn’t without challenges as the performance of these giants fluctuated throughout the season.

Dplus KIA: Searching for Momentum

One team that experienced this instability was Dplus KIA, which had an underwhelming season given the potential they displayed. Nevertheless, DK's history is enough to intimidate many: since joining the LCK, they've never missed the Worlds and have never been eliminated before the quarterfinals for four consecutive years!

The team peaked in 2020 when they clinched the ultimate title and came agonizingly close to repeating that success the following year, succumbing to EDward Gaming in the final showdown. But their consistency is now under threat for the 2023 Worlds, given their turbulent year.

While the acquisitions of Kim “Canna” Chang-dong and especially the reigning world champion Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu seemed promising, the team's performance oscillated throughout the year. They didn't fully harness the individual prowess of their players, notably the iconic duo Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu and Heo “ShowMaker” Su. By ending both regular seasons in fourth place, Dplus struggled in the playoffs, losing to HLE in the Spring and then to T1 in the Summer, each time with a 3-1 score.

Some of these defeats can be attributed to solo laners struggling to find their rhythm. While Canna faced challenges, more surprisingly, ShowMaker didn't display his usual LCK dominance. During the Summer, the team alternated between two supports, with Kim “Kellin” Hyeong-gyu making way temporarily for Yoon “Bible” Seol, allowing the former to reevaluate and return stronger.

That's what happened at the Regional Finals, where Dplus finally showcased a performance that matched their ambitions. Decisively beating DRX 3-0 and then HLE 3-1, primarily due to the blazing form of ShowMaker and Kellin, DK signaled their intentions to the world. This autumn, they might be the underdogs, but they're capable of an incredible journey, given the talent they possess. It remains to be seen if they'll defend Deft's title.

KT Rolster: Meeting Expectations

KT Rolster's season is a fascinating study. Experts often ranked them below teams like Dplus KIA and Hanwha Life Esports at the start. Despite acquiring talents like Kim “Kiin” Gi-in, Gwak “Bdd” Bo-seong, and Son “Lehends” Si-woo, the team's potential seemed uncertain.

However, KT shone throughout. While playing second fiddle to T1 during Spring, they ranked third, on par with Gen.G. Their tenacity was most evident in the playoffs, where they pushed a previously dominant T1 to a thrilling fifth match, arguably one of the best games of the season.

The team finished the spring season in third place, easily defeating HLE 3-1. However, it was during the Summer that KT truly shined. Free from their main rival T1, who faced internal issues following the injury of Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, KT dominated the LCK, achieving an almost perfect split with 17 wins and just one loss.

Yet, KT was the architect of their own downfall by opting to face T1 right at the start of the playoffs. Despite T1's limited preparation, they again bested their adversaries in a five-game series. The story repeated a week later when KT, after beating HLE 3-0, squared off against T1 for a spot in the grand finals. Once again, T1 proved to be the undoing of KT Rolster, solidifying their position as the nemesis for Bdd and his team.

While KT consistently fell short against T1 in the playoffs, they showcased formidable performance throughout the year. The standout player of this remarkable year was undoubtedly Bdd, possibly having the best year of his career. While he remains a specialist with Azir, he's evolved into a more proactive player compared to last year, often making game-changing plays for his team.

He's well-supported by Kiin, who's finally getting team recognition for his stellar individual performances over the years, always dominating the top lane. Additionally, Kim "Aiming" Ha-ram has been remarkably consistent, often rescuing the team in tight spots throughout the season.

At the 2023 Worlds, KT Rolster will have to face its biggest adversary: the choke. Historically, the team has struggled to meet the high expectations surrounding them. So much so, fans have occasionally ridiculed them, evident from memes like the 'KT Push'. A prime example is the 2018 Worlds, where KT, tipped for the championship, bowed out in a nail-biting match against IG, the eventual tournament winners, as early as the quarter-finals. Many viewed this matchup as a de facto final.

This year, KT doesn't enter as favorites. Their roster has experienced more international setbacks than triumphant successes. It sets the stage for redemption—a squad capable of rivaling the elite must perform at their peak to achieve a commendable result, reflecting the potential they showcased throughout the season.

T1, finally ending on a high note

A curse. That's what seems to have haunted T1 for the past year and a half. Since their MSI 2022 finals, where they lost 3-2 to RNG, T1 hasn't managed to clinch a title, be it domestic or international. And it's not for lack of trying! Over this span, the team has participated in 5 finals out of a possible 6, missing only the MSI 2023 semi-finals.

What's even more daunting is that out of these 5 finals, 3 were lost to the same team: Gen.G. Once known for never clinching a domestic title, Gen.G has, in two short years, become the nemesis of the world's top team, handing them two crushing 3-0 defeats in the LCK Summer 2022 and 2023.

This lingering curse almost overshadows the fact that behind it lies arguably the best team in League of Legends history. T1, a three-time world champion – an unmatched record – is still led in the mid lane by Faker, often hailed as the game's greatest player, a decade after his debut. Surrounding him is a golden generation, waiting for just one thing: to clinch an international title, forever cementing this immensely talented team in the annals of history.

The year started promisingly in this direction: T1, the only top-tier Korean team with an unchanged roster, crushed the regular Spring Split season, finishing first by a mile with 17 wins to a single loss.

In the playoffs, even against a tenacious KT, T1's dominance persisted. However, the curse reared its head in the grand finals, where a vengeful and better-prepared Gen.G snatched their second consecutive title, right under T1's nose."

At MSI, T1 regained their form, notably securing one of the fastest games in history in under 17 minutes against MAD Lions. Even more impressively, T1 stood strong and almost defeated JDG, the favored Chinese champions of the competition, in a BO5 series showcasing some of the year's highest-level gameplay.

However, T1 lost their way once again. After their defeat to JDG, they were sent to the lower bracket. While many anticipated them reaching the finals for a rematch, they were shockingly overpowered by the underdog, BLG, leaving countless fans in disbelief and bewilderment.

Back in Korea, despite securing several victories, T1's hold over the LCK weakened. The news broke: Faker had suffered an arm injury. Just two days later, T1 announced a break and the substitution of their star midlaner. Without their mainstay and with Yoon “Poby” Sung-won from T1's academy stepping in, the team crumbled, losing 7 of their 8 matches without Faker.

While the hastily-promoted rookie wasn't up to the mark, it was primarily the main roster that faltered, seemingly transformed by their captain's absence. Particularly, Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok struggled during this time. When Faker returned for the last week of the regular season, T1 was positioned fifth in the rankings at 7-9.

However, upon his return, the team's performance surged. In the playoffs, T1 effortlessly overcame Dplus KIA, and in a surprising turn of events, defeated regular season leaders, KT. T1 was back! This was further affirmed two days later, when they took their arch-nemesis Gen.G to a nail-biting fifth game."

Facing KT once more in the lower bracket, T1 emerged victorious for the third time in a year, spanning three confrontations. This paved their way for another shot at the title. However, the grand finale was a harsh reality check as they were decisively defeated by Gen.G 3-0. Even when T1 overcomes all odds and miraculously reaches the finale of such a tumultuous season, the ultimate showdown remains elusive.

Heading into the Worlds, a cloud of uncertainty surrounds T1. Indeed, the team regained their momentum with Faker's return and showcased an unexpected journey throughout the playoffs. However, the struggles experienced during their captain's hiatus aren't forgotten. Moreover, T1 wasn't the only Korean team facing challenges this summer. The LCK playoffs concluded with a hint of bitterness, as T1 demonstrated a commendable level of gameplay but lacked creativity, a result of their limited prep time that only Gen.G truly capitalized on.

Nevertheless, T1 will have ample time to prepare for the Worlds. They're no strangers to this stage, having consistently made international appearances since 2021. If T1 can rectify the temporary hitches from the Summer, one major hurdle remains. Can they make it to, and finally clinch, a championship title?

On the brink of potentially the last major competition for this golden generation under the same banner, T1 enters the Worlds with high stakes but a singular goal: to continue crafting the legacy of League of Legends' most prestigious organization, and to further cement Faker's position as the game's greatest, especially against contenders like Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk, who seems determined to catch up.

Gen.G: Capping off an (Almost) Perfect Year.

At the beginning of the year, Gen.G took a gamble that left many jaws dropped. With the departure of its legendary ADC Ruler, who clinched victories in both LCK and Worlds under the yellow and black banner, the team made a surprising decision: they chose not to sign a new star. Instead, they placed their trust in their academy, and specifically in a 17-year-old ADC: Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan. This titan of an organization, the reigning LCK champions and World Championship semi-finalists, replaced arguably the best ADC in the world with a 17-year-old rookie. What's even more astounding is that Peyz began his journey within the Gen.G Academy in mid-2020.

To many, this move was seen as, at best, ambitious, and at worst, incredibly risky. Yes, Peyz had been turning heads in the academy since the year's start, with his name being whispered amongst recruiters and analysts in the Korean scene. But he was entering the league as the youngest competitor, playing alongside legendary names like Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon and Han “Peanut” Wang-ho.

The surprises didn't end there. Accompanying Peyz in the support role was another rookie: Yoo “Delight” Hwan-joong, a Gen.G protege who had impressed many during his time with Fredit BRION the previous year. This made for an exceptionally young and inexperienced bot lane. Together, they had only one year of professional play to their names. To put it in perspective, T1's bot lane boasts 5 years, KT's a whopping 11 years, and DK's is at a remarkable 13 years. But against all odds, it was this young duo who stood tall, showing that sometimes, youth and raw talent can indeed outshine experience.

In his debut split, esports prodigy Peyz makes waves in the LCK as Gen.G clinches the second spot during the regular season, followed by a stellar playoff run. At just 17, Peyz bags the MVP award in the grand final against esports giants T1, marking his rapid ascent to the pinnacle of Korean League of Legends. This meteoric rise also catapults him to the global stage shortly after his professional debut.

However, at the prestigious MSI tournament, Gen.G encounters turbulence. Newcomers Peyz and Delight grapple with the pressures of the international arena, while seasoned players Peanut and Chovy struggle to hit their usual high marks. Though they secure victories over esports powerhouses G2 and C9, they face a shocking BO5 series defeat to their perennial rivals T1 and are convincingly bested 3-0 by the dark horses, BLG.

Returning to the domestic front in Korea, Gen.G continues its LCK dominance. Yet, despite challenges faced by T1, Gen.G settles for the runner-up spot, edged out by KT. However, the playoffs witness Gen.G in peak form. Undefeated, they reclaim the LCK title, with standout performances from both veterans and rookies alike, underscoring Delight's rapid growth and fortifying their status as esports juggernauts in the competitive League of Legends scene.

At the 2023 Worlds, Gen.G enters with a resolute ambition to translate its domestic dominance to the global stage. The team is coming off two painful semi-final eliminations where they underperformed. The 2022 semi-final against DRX is particularly haunting for Chovy, who had a notably off game. It's the perfect time for redemption and perhaps to achieve what was nearly done in 2016: awarding a rookie the Worlds title in their debut competitive year.

Korea sends its titans, fully equipped to reclaim the Summoner's Cup. However, they aren't the only powerhouse region. Their greatest adversary, China, is also fielding heavyweights. While Korea has the home ground advantage, China appears to have history on their side: during the last Worlds hosted in Korea, Invictus Gaming clinched the title, ending a streak of five Korean championships and granting China its first crown. It remains to be seen if the four Korean behemoths can prevent history from repeating itself.