The Current Landscape of the LCK
By Zac Cameron ·
The League Champions Korea is home to the teams that usually dominate the international scene, so what's happening with the teams from Korea right now
The Korean League of Legends pro scene has always been a tale of dominance. Korean teams are a benchmark for success, if you win an event, but you didn’t beat any Korean teams, did you really win an event at all? So let’s take a look at the teams currently making up the professional scene in Korea right now, starting from the top.
Kingzone DragonX
While Kingzone DragonX may be a new name to the LCK, its players are not, having come from the successful Longzhu Gaming roster of 2017. Sporting a seven man roster, Kingzone is comprised of dual top laners Kim "Khan" Dong-ha and Kim "Rascal" Kwang-hee, dual junglers Moon "Cuzz" Woo-chan and Han "Peanut" Wang-ho, mid laner Gwak "Bdd" Bo-seong, AD Carry Kim "PraY" Jong-in, and support Kang "GorillA" Beom-hyeon. Currently at the top of the ladder, Kingzone have only lost two series thus far, once to KSV eSports, and once to the bbq Olivers. In addition to these two match losses, Kingzone have only lost one other game, dropping their first game to Afreeca Freecs in their most recent set.
KT Rolster
KT Rolster has long been a fan favourite organisation from Korea. Also entering the LCK with a seven man roster, the line-up of top laner Song "Smeb" Kyung-ho, dual junglers Go "Score" Dong-bin and Lee "Rush" Yoon-jae (Though the popular former Cloud9 jungler from NA is yet to make his debut), dual mid laners Heo "PawN" Won-seok and Son "UcaL" Woo-hyeon, AD Carry Kim "Deft" Hyuk-kyu, and support Cho "Mata" Se-hyeong. Though KT Rolster has the same Match record as Kingzone DragonX, they do not share the same game record, losing more individual games.
Afreeca Freecs
The Afreeca Freecs are not strangers to the LCK, though they have not enjoyed the international success that some of the other teams have. They are running a full ten man roster, with a back-up in every position. Their line-up consists of top laners Kim "Kiin" Gi-in and Park "Summit" Woo-tae, junglers Lee "Mowgli" Jae-ha and Lee "Spirit" Da-yoon, mid laners Lee "Kuro" Seo-haeng and Lee "Ruby" Sol-min, AD Carries Ha "Kramer" Jong-hun and Kim "Aiming" Ha-ram, and supports Park "TusiN" Jong-ik and Son "Jelly" Ho-gyeong.
KSV eSports
The core roster of KSV eSports should be very familiar to fans of competitive League of Legends, comprised of the former World Champions Samsung Galaxy. While they have added a second jungler, Kang "Haru" Min-seung, their core roster from last year of top laner Lee "CuVee" Seong-jin, jungler Kang "Ambition" Chan-yong, mid laner Lee "Crown" Min-ho, AD Carry Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk, and support Jo "CoreJJ" Yong-in, have not changed since they won the 2017 World Championship. Though not currently on top of the ladder, KSV is nevertheless a significant enemy for the other Korean teams to overcome.
SK Telecom T1
One of the most famous brands in League of Legends, SKT is known throughout the world as the only team to have won the World Championship three times. Sporting a new ten man roster, SKT also have multiple players in every role, with top laners Park "Thal" Kwon-hyuk and Park "Untara" Ui-jin, junglers Kang "Blank" Sun-gu and Park "Blossom" Beom-chan, mid laners Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok and Choi "Pirean" Jun-sik, AD Carries Bae "Bang" Jun-sik and Han "Leo" Gyeo-re, and supports Lee "Effort" Sang-ho and Lee "Wolf" Jae-wan. While it is unlikely that some of these players will find themselves on the starting roster, stranger things have happened as SKT finds themselves sitting in the middle of the pack.
ROX Tigers
The ROX Tigers are a familiar name, though the players are all different now. With a roster of eight players, including three in the mid lane, their struggle to remain relevant this season is all too apparent as they sit with an even game record of 5-5. Their roster comprises of top laner Heo "Lindarang" Man-heung, dual junglers Kim "Mightybear" Min-su and Yoon "SeongHwan" Seong-hwan, the mid lane trio of Lee "Kuzan" Seong-hyeok, Kim "Lava" Tae-hoon and Kim "Crow" Seon-gyu, AD Carry Gwon "Sangyoon" Sang-yun, and support Kim "Key" Han-gi. With a rocky start that isn’t getting a whole lot better, it remains to be seen if the ROX Tigers can reclaim some of the glory they once had.
Jin Air Green Wings
The Jin Air Green Wings have been a part of the LCK since 2013, though they have never quite made it internationally. With a roster of six, this season they hope will be the one that puts them on the map internationally. Their roster comprises of top laner Kim "Key" Han-gi, jungler Eom "UmTi" Seong-hyeon, mid laners Lee "Grace" Chan-ju and Yoon "Justice" Seok-joon, AD Carry Park "Teddy" Jin-seon, and support Kwon "Wraith" Ji-min.
bbq Olivers
Formerly known as ESC Ever, the bbq Olivers rebranded after picking up a new sponsor in the form of the popular Korean restaurant chain, BBQ Chicken. Sporting a six man roster, the bbq Olivers consist of top laner Kim "Crazy" Jae-hee, dual junglers Kim "Bono" Gi-beom and Kim "Trick" Gang-yun, mid laner Kang "Tempt" Myung-gu, AD Carry Jang "Ghost" Yong-jun, and support Lee "IgNar" Dong-geun.
MVP
MVP played a large role in the early days of the LCK, before being bought out by Samsung in 2013. Having returned for the 2016 season, MVP have never really regained the results they once had. Sporting a six man roster, MVP’s new team consists of top laner Kang "ADD" Geon-mo, jungler Kim "Beyond" Kyu-seok, mid laner An "Ian" Jun-hyeong, dual AD Carries Oh "MaHa" Hyun-sik and Na "Pilot" Woo-hyung, and support Jeong "Max" Jong-bin.
Kongdoo Monster
Languishing in last place, the Kongdoo Monster squad have been struggling to pick up any wins, though they have managed to take down last year’s World Champions KSV eSports. Their roster consists of top laner Kim "Roach" Kang-hui, dual junglers Oh "Raise" Ji-hwan and Na "U Jun" Yoo-joon, dual mid laners Lee "Edge" Ho-seong and Choi "Han" Hyeon-woo, AD Carry Seo "SSol" Jin-sol, and support Park "Secret" Ki-sun.
With many more games still to play out, there’s no guarantee that these standings will stay the same. What we can be sure of, is that the games will only get more action packed as we get closer and closer to Playoffs. For information on when these teams will be playing next, check out the Official Schedule here, and for something a little different, why not check out our coverage of the CS:GO Players who make the big bucks.