The
World Star Challengers Invitational is off to an intriguing start. Alongside the
LCK Challengers League teams, all three
EMEA representatives have secured a spot in the Bracket Stage and established a firm two-horse race among the competing leagues.
, the EMEA Masters Winter 2026 champions, currently sit atop Group D with a 4-0 record heading into the final day of the Group Stage.
In an exclusive interview with
Sheep Esports, Solary midlaner Kang “
” Dong-soo shared his thoughts on competing in South Korea, the strong run of EMEA teams, and his career aspirations.
You qualified for the Bracket Stage at the World Star Challengers Invitational with a 4-0 record. How does it feel?
Kang 'Jool' Dong-soo: To be honest, I remember our first match being quite difficult to close out, so securing our spot early with a 4-0 record makes me even happier.
The journey was not entirely smooth. In yesterday's match against , the early game was rough, but you pulled off a comeback win. What calls were made to steer the team to victory?
Jool: We felt that our composition would scale better as time went on, and that we had the upper hand when looking for picks in the side lanes and fighting around objectives. We kept communicating to take those exact fights, and everyone executed their responsibilities disciplined and well.
This tournament holds a special meaning for South Koreans, as the Chuseok holiday period falls right in the middle of the schedule. How do you feel about competing in South Korea during this holiday period?
Jool: Usually, when competing abroad, being in South Korea during this time of year is out of the question. Thanks to the great opportunity to participate in the WSCI, I am really glad and satisfied to be in South Korea right now.
There will be matches on Chuseok. Tomorrow, you will face and . How are scrims going, and how are you preparing regarding the team's condition?
Jool: Scrims are actually going even better than expected, so preparation feels solid. A few players were not feeling well earlier, but they have all recovered, so I believe we can deliver a strong performance tomorrow.
You are currently staying at the FearX bootcamp. After going 4-0, you posted that the meals and cafeteria are top-notch. How satisfied are you with your stay?
Jool: Both my teammates and I are very satisfied. The practice room environment is great, the staff members help us tremendously, and above all, the food is delicious. [laughs]
You are arguably experiencing the brightest moments of your career this year, winning both the LFL and EMEA Masters. With both the team and yourself at what seems to be your peak, how far do you think you can ride this momentum?
Jool: Actually, we did not show our best form in the LFL Summer Split. However, playing through this tournament, I feel my performance and physical condition are at a very high level, so I think we can carry this strong momentum all the way through to EMEA Masters Summer, the final event of the season.
You have faced Galions quite often, including in finals. What are your thoughts on this matchup?
Jool: At this point, I consider them our fated rivals. [laughs] Honestly, I didn’t expect to meet them here of all places. Even if we crossed paths, I thought it would be in a playoff bracket or at EMEA Masters.
You previously played in Turkey and Brazil, but this is your first year living in France. Do you have any personal advice for adapting to life overseas across so many different regions?
Jool: First and foremost, studying English is essential for an easier transition. Communicating in English naturally expands the number of people who understand you, making daily life much smoother. In Turkey or Brazil, English did not always bridge the communication gap, but in France, most people communicate effectively in English. That made settling down in France much easier.
As a fellow Korean teammate who had prior experience in the LFL, how much of an impact does Kim '' Jeong-hoon have on the team?
Jool: His impact is massive. He has an extroverted personality, so he plays a crucial role in bringing the team together as one unit. On a personal level, I struggled to understand French-accented English early in the season. I asked Piero many questions, received a lot of help from him, and adapted smoothly.
Along with Solary and Galions, has delivered strong results despite their loss today. What are your thoughts on the overall surge of EMEA teams?
Jool: Quite some time has passed since I left the Korean scene, and I always wondered how I would measure up against Korean teams today. Seeing other EMEA teams achieve good results gives me a lot of confidence in my own skills and our region's level, which makes me very happy.
There is a strong chance you will face LCK CL teams in the Knockout Stage. As a former founding member of the LCK CL, how much are you looking forward to competing against players from the Korean league?
Jool: I still view the LCK CL as the strongest league in this tournament, so defeating an LCK CL team would bring me immense personal satisfaction.
You could potentially face your former team, . How would you evaluate their current form?
Jool: I haven’t watched every game, but every time I see them, they look very solid. Their botlane in particular looks quite strong, so if we end up facing them, we will need to prepare thoroughly.
Berat '' Tıknazoğlu had an outstanding performance on Jhin in the previous match. If he goes up against the LCK CL botlaners, how do you think he will fare?
Jool: Looking at his current form, I honestly believe he can perform very well even against LCK CL teams. He is a player who always overflows with confidence, so I hope he keeps that confidence and puts on a great show.
Moving on to our closing questions, what are your future career goals?
Jool: I think there are two main paths. I hadn’t given it extensive thought until returning to compete in South Korea, but because this has been such a positive experience, if an opportunity arises to join the LCK, I would love to play in South Korea again. If I head to a major Western league like the LEC or LCS, my goal would be to qualify for the World Championship and achieve strong results there.
Lastly, do you have a message for the fans supporting both Solary and yourself?
Jool: We had a disappointing showing in LFL Summer, but we will make it up to you with strong performances at this WSCI and the upcoming EMEA Masters."
