In a stunning turn of events, Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) emerged victorious against the reigning world champions T1 in a thrilling best-of-five series during the 2025 LCK Cup playoffs. The match, which took place on February 13, 2025, at the LCK Arena in Jongno, Seoul, saw HLE clinch a hard-fought 3-2 victory, advancing to the second round of the playoffs and sending shockwaves through the League of Legends community.

# Match Overview

The series was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans of both teams. HLE started strong, taking the first game with a dominant performance led by their bot laner 'Viper' Park Do-hyeon. T1 bounced back in the second game, with 'Oner' Moon Hyeon-jun's jungle prowess evening the score. The third game saw HLE regain the lead, thanks to a stellar performance from 'Zeus' Choi Woo-je on Olaf, securing a triple kill that turned the tide of the game. T1 once again equalized in the fourth game, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. In the decisive fifth game, HLE's coordination and teamfighting proved superior, allowing them to close out the series and secure their spot in the next round.

# Key Players and Champion Selections

Game 1: HLE (Blue) - Jayce, Xin Zhao, Azir, Ezreal, Alistar vs T1 (Red) - Renekton, Vi, Orianna, Kai'Sa, Pyke Game 2: T1 (Blue) - Rumble, Wukong, Viktor, Jhin, Poppy vs HLE (Red) - K'Sante, Jarvan IV, Ahri, Ashe, Leona Game 3: HLE (Blue) - Olaf, Maokai, Sylas, Varus, Nautilus vs T1 (Red) - Gnar, Sejuani, Mel, Zeri, Leblanc Game 4: T1 (Blue) - Gwen, Viego, Akali, Xayah, Rakan vs HLE (Red) - Jax, Lee Sin, Syndra, Aphelios, Thresh Game 5: HLE (Blue) - Fiora, Nidalee, Taliyah, Lucian, Nami vs T1 (Red) - Aatrox, Graves, Azir, Kalista, Renata Glasc The standout performers of the series were undoubtedly HLE's 'Zeus' and 'Viper'. Zeus, who recently transferred from T1 to HLE, showed his former team what they were missing with his impeccable top lane play, particularly his game-changing Olaf in Game 3. Viper continued to prove why he's considered one of the best AD carries in the world, consistently outputting high damage and making clutch plays throughout the series. For T1, 'Faker' Lee Sang-hyeok had moments of brilliance, especially on Viktor in Game 2, but couldn't carry his team to victory. 'Oner' also had a strong showing, particularly in the games T1 won, but it wasn't enough to overcome HLE's teamwork and individual prowess.

# Player Ratings

Hanwha Life Esports: Zeus: 9/10 - Exceptional performance, especially on Olaf and Fiora Peanut: 8/10 - Solid jungle control and objective securing Zeka: 7.5/10 - Consistent mid lane presence Viper: 9.5/10 - Outstanding ADC play across all games Delight: 8/10 - Great synergy with Viper and crucial engages T1: Doran: 7/10 - Struggled against Zeus but had moments of resilience Oner: 8.5/10 - T1's best performer, especially in their winning games Faker: 7.5/10 - Flashes of brilliance but couldn't dominate as expected Gumayusi: 7/10 - Inconsistent performance across the series Keria: 7.5/10 - Good engages but couldn't always follow through

# Korean Fan Reactions

The Korean League of Legends community was abuzz with reactions following this unexpected result. Many fans expressed shock at T1's early exit from the tournament, with comments flooding online forums and social media platforms. Some praised HLE's impressive teamwork and individual performances, particularly highlighting Zeus's impact against his former team. T1 fans, while disappointed, acknowledged that the team's experimental drafts in some games may have contributed to their downfall. There was also significant discussion about Faker's performance, with some fans defending the veteran mid laner while others questioned whether age was finally catching up to the 'Unkillable Demon King'. Comments like "Zeus revenge arc complete!" and "Viper is truly world-class" dominated fan forums. T1's unconventional picks, such as support Leblanc in Game 3, were heavily criticized by fans who felt the team was overconfident. Overall, the series has sparked debates about the current power rankings in the LCK, with many now viewing HLE as serious contenders for the LCK Cup title.

# Implications and Looking Ahead

This victory marks a significant milestone for Hanwha Life Esports, who have now defeated the reigning world champions and positioned themselves as strong contenders in the LCK Cup. The win is particularly sweet for Zeus, who proved his worth against his former team and silenced any doubters of his transfer. For T1, this early exit is a wake-up call. Despite their recent world championship success, the loss highlights that the competition in the LCK remains fierce, and no team can afford to be complacent. Questions will undoubtedly be raised about T1's preparation and drafting strategies for this tournament. As HLE moves forward in the playoffs, they will face tough competition from teams like DWG KIA and Gen.G. Their performance against T1 has certainly put the rest of the league on notice, and fans are eagerly anticipating their next matches. For T1, it's back to the drawing board as they look to regroup and refocus on their upcoming LCK Spring Split campaign. This upset has injected even more excitement into what promises to be a highly competitive 2025 season in Korean League of Legends.