Gen.G Adds Rich & Asper To LoL Team In Prep For LCK Summer 2019
By TJ Denzer ·
Gen.G is looking to strengthen their League of Legends roster, and they've found promising talent in the likes of mid-laner Rich and bot-lane support Asper.
Gen.G’s League of Legends team didn’t exactly make waves in the LCK 2019 Spring Split. The team finished 7th overall with a record of 5-13. That said, the team is already looking to bolster itself for the upcoming Summer season with two major roster moves. Three-time Gen.G Heroes of the Storm HGC champion Lee ‘Rich’ Jae-won and former Hanwha Life support player Kim ‘Asper’ Tae-gi are moving into the Gen.G LoL line-up.
As mentioned, Rich’s pedigree for MOBAs is abundantly clear. Having been with the Gen.G squad that took home so many championship trophies in Heroes of the Storm before Blizzard cut support of its esports league, Rich knows what it takes to be in the spotlight. Though transference of HotS skills to that of LoL might have raised some eyebrows, Rich proved his talents function well in League of Legends.
Meanwhile, Asper is coming to Gen.G after leaving Hanwha Esports in 2019. A younger pro having only been in the circuit since April 2018, Asper stood out from the crowd at a 2018 LCK Tryout organized by Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA).
Meet the new faces of Gen.G LoL! Welcome to mid Rich and support Asper!
— Gen.G LOL (@GenGLoL) May 29, 2019
Rich has returned from former Gen.G HotS team to now join Gen.G LoL! Send out your best wishes in his new chapter!#WeAreGenG #GenG pic.twitter.com/Myg4POJN8M
Rich and Asper join the Gen.G roster alongside fellow mids Yongjun “Fly” Song and fellow new face Seonghyeok “Kuzan” Lee, as well as fellow support Jeongmin “Life” Kim. Gen.G LoL Manager Choi Woo-beom is optimistic about the depth Rich and Asper stand to bring to the team. “We’ve decided to add these two players to our roster as we recognized their unique potential during our trials,” said Woo-beom. “Both Rich and Asper provide a unique flexibility and a different dimension to our roster that is going to be very helpful long term. It’s also a great opportunity for our new signees to work with our other veteran players on the team to get themselves ready with in-season practice during the summer season.”
Despite being a HotS champion and a champion among Gen.G players, Rich is humble and ready to prove his worth in his new role, just like anyone else. “I appreciate the Gen.G LoL Team for providing me this opportunity once again,” said Rich. “I plan to work harder than ever. I’ve got a lot to learn from the veteran team members as a trainee before I can be ready. My goal is to come in, practice hard, and continue to contribute positively to the team every day.”
챔피언의 귀환! '리치' 이재원 선수가 젠지 LoL팀으로 돌아왔습니다! @RichHots 선수의 복귀에 큰 박수 보내주세요!#WeAreGenG #GenG #LCK pic.twitter.com/pJo9hvZyyu
— Gen.G LOL (@GenGLoL) May 29, 2019
Likewise, Asper, though younger and a little less experienced than other teammates, is optimistic about the future and his place among the Gen.G community.
“I don’t think many people know me as a support since I haven’t played in too many matches,” said Asper. “However, I will prove that I am a great player, taking this summer season as an opportunity to continue to put in the work needed to help the team win. I also want to thank Gen.G for the opportunity and giving me a really unique chance.”
Will these two players make their mark and give Gen.G the talent they need to make a run at LCK’s 2019 Summer season and challenge the likes of champions like SK Telecom T1? It remains to be seen, but the team is seemingly set to do better and grow towards a greater future in League of Legends.