Hanwha Life Esports Makes History: Champions of Inaugural First Stand 2025 Tournament
A Historic Victory for Korean Esports
Did you know that the newly established First Stand Tournament just crowned its first champion? On March 16, 2025, Hanwha Life Esports made history by becoming the inaugural champions of Riot Games' First Stand Tournament held at LoL Park in Seoul, Korea!
This brand-new international League of Legends competition brings together the top teams from five major regions, and Korea's representatives didn't disappoint. With their victory, Hanwha Life has secured a direct seed for the LCK region at the upcoming Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) scheduled for July in Canada.
The tournament drew impressive viewership numbers, with the Grand Finals peaking at 1.1 million concurrent viewers – making it the second most-watched LoL competition in 2025 so far, only behind South Korea's LCK Cup. This remarkable viewership highlights just how excited fans were to see these elite teams clash on the international stage.
Korean teams have been dominating the global LoL scene this season, with Hanwha Life, T1, and Gen.G Esports currently leading the global power rankings. This victory further cements Korea's status as the region to beat in 2025.
The All-Star Lineup: Former Rivals United
What makes Hanwha Life's victory even more fascinating is their roster composition. Did you realize you're witnessing a team of former rivals who once battled against each other now fighting side by side as teammates?
The team features some of the most accomplished players in League of Legends history: toplaner Choi 'Zeus' Woo-je (former T1), jungler Han 'Peanut' Wang-ho, midlaner Kim 'Zeka' Geon-woo, botlaner Park 'Viper' Do-hyeon, and support Yu 'Delight' Hwan-jung. This star-studded lineup brings together players who previously competed against each other in the LCK and international tournaments.
Peanut, in particular, has faced off against Zeus when the latter was still with T1, and against Viper when he was part of Gen.G. When asked about teaming up with former rivals, Peanut shared a refreshingly positive perspective: "I never once thought about a rival becoming a teammate, I never really processed it that way. So right now, I'm so used to thinking that a good and skilled and talented player has become a part of our team and is now my teammate. It's as straightforward as 'someone like Zeus is a part of my team.'"
This professional attitude has clearly paid off, as the chemistry between these former competitors has been nothing short of spectacular. Korean fans on community sites like DC Inside and Naver are calling this the "dream team" of LCK talent, with many comparing it to legendary Korean rosters of the past.
The Road to the Championship
Hanwha Life's path to victory was nothing short of dominant. Did you follow their impressive run through the tournament? They started with convincing 2-0 wins against China's Top Esports and Taiwan's CBTC Flying Oyster, immediately establishing themselves as the team to beat.
The competition got tougher in the later stages, but Hanwha Life still prevailed with 2-1 victories over Europe's Karmine Corp and North America's Team Liquid. Their perfect record throughout the tournament showcased their versatility and ability to adapt to different playstyles from around the world.
The Grand Finals against Karmine Corp was particularly thrilling, with fans from both Korea and France creating an electric atmosphere at LoL Park. The match featured impressive plays from both sides, but ultimately, Hanwha Life's superior teamfighting and macro decision-making secured them the championship.
One particularly noteworthy aspect of this tournament was the implementation of the "Fearless Draft" format, which prohibits players from using previously selected champions in addition to standard bans. This format tested teams' champion pools and adaptability, areas where Hanwha Life particularly excelled. As coach Choi In-gyu (Dandy) noted: "We've adapted well to the changed rules as evidenced by winning the first international tournament held with Fearless Draft. I think we can achieve positive results in future tournaments as well."
Zeus: The Next Faker?
Have you heard the growing comparisons between Zeus and the legendary Faker? As Zeus continues to rack up achievements, many fans and analysts are starting to draw parallels between him and Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, widely considered the greatest League of Legends player of all time.
Throughout the First Stand tournament, Zeus delivered several standout performances, including a memorable play in the first set of the finals where he interrupted his recall to take down an enemy Rumble. When asked about this high-risk, high-reward play, Zeus explained: "I was reading the map situation and anticipating how they would respond. After taking down Jayce, I knew I could teleport away if enemies came, so I confidently went for it."
When directly asked about being mentioned as Faker's successor, Zeus responded with characteristic humility: "I'm building a good career, but there's still a long way to go. Even if I win many championships, I don't think I'll surpass Faker. I'll just focus on giving my best in every moment."
Korean communities are buzzing with discussions about Zeus's potential. On DC Inside's League of Legends gallery, a poll asking "Can Zeus eventually surpass Faker's legacy?" showed divided opinions, with 43% believing he could and 57% saying Faker's achievements are untouchable. Regardless of where you stand in this debate, there's no denying that Zeus is carving out his own legendary status in the world of esports.
Peanut's Redemption After 8 Years
Did you know that this victory marked Peanut's first international championship in eight years? For veteran jungler Han "Peanut" Wang-ho, this win carried special emotional significance.
When asked about winning an international tournament after such a long wait, Peanut expressed: "Obviously, I feel incredibly good about winning after such a long time. I've participated in many international tournaments but couldn't seize the opportunity. It feels like I've finally resolved that issue with this championship."
Peanut's journey in professional League of Legends has been filled with both triumphs and heartbreaks. Despite being recognized as one of the most talented junglers in the world, international success had eluded him for years. Korean fans on Naver Sports comment sections have been particularly supportive, with comments like "Peanut finally got the crown he deserves" receiving thousands of upvotes.
His teammates also recognized the significance of this victory for Peanut. In post-match comments, Zeus mentioned how happy he was to win alongside the veteran jungler, while coach Dandy praised Peanut's leadership and experience as crucial factors in their success.
During the tournament, Peanut humbly credited his teammates for his strong performance: "My teammates are playing quite well, and I think because of their high performance, they're allowing and enabling me to play as much as I can and just as well." This team-first mentality exemplifies why Peanut has remained one of the most respected players in the LCK.
Behind the Scenes: Managing Condition During the Tournament
Have you ever wondered how pro players maintain their performance during intense tournament schedules? The First Stand tournament tested teams with a compressed seven-day schedule, making condition management crucial for success.
Midlaner Zeka faced particular challenges, battling illness during the middle stages of the tournament. Despite this setback, he delivered some jaw-dropping performances, especially on Sylas. When asked how he managed such high-level play while feeling under the weather, Zeka explained: "I consider physical condition and gaming performance as separate things. As long as my hands aren't injured, I believed I could perform well, so I just focused on recovering from the cold and fever quickly."
Coach Dandy also shed light on how the staff managed the team's condition during the tournament: "Adapting to patch changes was difficult, and the schedule was tight. We tried to ensure players could rest during non-tournament hours."
Peanut added: "It wasn't a long period, so we prioritized taking care of our health. The fact that we played at LoL Park helped us maintain our competitive edge comfortably."
This behind-the-scenes glimpse reveals the professional approach that sets top teams apart. On Korean community forums, fans have been praising Hanwha Life's staff for their player management, with many pointing out how well the team maintained their energy levels throughout the seven-day tournament compared to other competing teams.
What's Next: Eyes on MSI and the Golden Road
Are you curious about what lies ahead for Hanwha Life after this victory? With First Stand conquered, the team now sets its sights on the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) in July, where they'll represent the LCK with a direct seed thanks to their First Stand triumph.
When asked about the possibility of achieving the "Golden Road" – winning all major tournaments in a single year – the players shared their thoughts cautiously but optimistically.
Zeus said: "I'm satisfied with our results in tournaments so far. There will be many challenges in upcoming competitions, but I'll work hard without worrying too much."
Peanut added: "We have the qualifications, but there are so many tournaments that I'm not thinking about it. I'll just focus on giving my best in the matches ahead."
Zeka echoed these sentiments: "It's a long road. The year has just begun, and there's still a long way to go. I'll work hard in every game."
Delight concluded: "I haven't given it much thought. I'll focus on the upcoming matches."
This measured approach reflects the team's professional mindset – celebrating their current success while staying focused on the challenges ahead. Korean esports fans are already eagerly anticipating MSI, with community discussions on Naver and DC Inside speculating about potential matchups against teams from other regions. With their First Stand victory, Hanwha Life has not only made history but also set expectations high for the rest of the 2025 season.