South Korea has always been represented at the League of Legends World Championship at the past five World Championships by the same four midlaners.
In that period, only one player has come in between the streak, interrupting it. The formidable four that will fly Korea’s flag this year to the world include Faker (T1), Shoemaker (Dplus KIA), Bdd (KT Rolster), and Chovy (Gen.G).
At least one member of this group has won nearly every Worlds berth belonging to Korea dating back to 2019—meaning that 17 of the possible 18 teams that the LCK sent to Worlds over the last five seasons have had one of these four players in their starting lineups.
Year Players & teams
2019: Faker(SKT), Showmaker(DWG), Chovy(GRF)
Best result – 2019: Faker (Semifinalist)
2020: Showmaker (DWG), Bdd (GEN), Chovy (DRX) Best result – 2020 Shoemaker (World champion)
2021: Faker(T1), Showmaker(DK), Bdd(GEN), Chovy(HLE)
Best result – Showmaker (Runner-up).
2022: Faker (T1), Showmaker (DK), Chovy (GEN), Zeka (DRX)
Best Result – Zeka (World champion)
2023: Faker (T1), Showmaker (DK), Bdd (KT), Chovy (GEN)
Best Resul – TBD
Meanwhile, Zeka is the only player to attend Worlds as a Korean mid-laner and not be part of the Faker-Showmaker-Bdd-Chovy foursome. He was the starting mid for last year’s world champions, DRX.
Unfortunately, Zeka has failed to make it to the Worlds this year after making his presence felt at last season’s tournament. Zeka and Hanwha Life Esports were stopped by Shoemaker and Dplus KIA in the LCK Regional Finals.
The Worlds 2023 will start with the play-in on October 10, even though none of the LCK’s representatives will be in the opening round of the event. Instead, Korea’s four representatives will start their Worlds campaign in the newly-minted Worlds Swiss stage as they hope to run to the Summoner’s Cup.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
