27.06.26 - 05:2127.06.2026 - 05:21·5m5 minutes de lecture·
Par arieset autres
T1 Doran: "If it can win the game, I'm ready to play any champion at any time"
T1's toplaner Doran spoke to Sheep Esports ahead of T1's MSI 2026 journey in Daejeon, South Korea, where the reigning world champions begin their run from the Play-In stage.
00
Partager
Credit: Grégoire "Aries" Bgz
"This time, I really want to win it"
Loading...
Loading...
As MSI 2026 is right around the corner here in Daejeon, South Korea, T1 will start once again from Play-Ins as LCK's 2nd seed in hopes of securing yet another international title.
” Hyeon-joon speaks about the pressure, his recent Olaf pick during Road to MSI, his unlucky record of previous MSIs, and his strong will to bring back the trophy this time around.
You're back at MSI, and it's being held in Daejeon, not far from home. How does that feel?
Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon: "Since MSI is being held in Korea, I feel comfortable, and I'm also in a really good state because I really want to win this time.
It's only been two weeks since Road to MSI in Wonju, so the schedule must have been very tight. How did you spend these past two weeks leading up to MSI?
Doran: We didn't have many days off, but I think I still got rest whenever I could. And since our matches are coming up soon, we're preparing well for them.
This is your third MSI. You reached the semifinals the first time and the final the second time. In a way, you've been getting closer to the trophy each time, but that final step still remains. Does that record give you confidence for this MSI, or does it feel like pressure to finally get it done?
Doran: I think it's fair to say I don't feel much pressure right now. Right now, I just feel excited for the matches, and ambitious. I just really want to play well.
T1 is known for always performing well internationally, even when starting from the Play-In. As a player, when you start a tournament from the beginning, do you feel a lot of pressure to meet those expectations, or do you see it as a chance to adapt to the tournament flow earlier?
Doran: Since we're starting from the Play-In, we have quite a few matches. So I'm thinking of it positively, as a chance to get used to the venue and adapt better.
In the Play-In, you'll face KC, TL, and DCG, teams with less match experience than LCK teams. When preparing for matches like these, do you think it's more important to analyze their patterns in advance, or to adapt quickly once the match begins?
Doran: In the Play-In, I think our team will have advantages in a lot of areas. So I think it's important to make the most of those strengths.
Many expect LPL's BLG and TES to be the biggest obstacles for the LCK at this MSI. Of course, you have to focus on the Play-In first, but how do you view the level of the Chinese teams at this tournament? Are you more mindful of them, or of Hanwha Life from the LCK?
Doran: I don't think there's any team I'm especially conscious of right now. For now, I think our top priority is focusing on our own performance.
T1 has such a strong international history that every new roster is judged by that standard. And T1 hasn't won MSI since 2017. Does that feel like a burden you have to carry, or do you see it as a chance to make a meaningful mark on T1's history yourself?
Doran: Not just for our team, but for me personally, I feel like MSI hasn't been a tournament I've had much luck with. So this time, I really want to make the most of this good opportunity and win the title.
At Road to MSI, your Olaf pick became a huge talking point, not just because of the result but the pick itself. Seeing you confidently choose such a risky champion in an important match, many fans once again said it was very "Teto-ran" of you. When you hear that nickname, do you feel it reflects the kind of player you wanted to become, and do you think it reflects the way you want to play in important matches?
Doran: When it comes to picks, if they can contribute to the team's victory, I feel ready to play any champion at any time. In terms of my play, I don't think I hard-carried or anything like that. Because my teammates supported me, those good moments were able to happen.
When thinking about the T1 Ambessa skin, what was the first thing you considered?
Doran: When making T1 Ambessa, I wanted to capture Ambessa's image as a very strong female warrior. So I made requests with a lot of attention to her appearance, like her hair color and hairstyle, and also the lean muscles on her body. Those were the kinds of details I focused on.
To wrap up the interview, could you share your mindset heading into this MSI?
Doran: Since this is another international tournament being held in Korea, I think Korean fans will be paying a lot of attention. We'll work hard to meet those expectations and achieve a good result."
