Gen.G's Dominance Continues: A 22-Match Winning Streak Against Nongshim RedForce

The Unstoppable Force: Gen.G's 22-Match Winning Streak Against Nongshim

On May 8, 2025, Gen.G once again demonstrated their dominance in the LCK by securing a clean 2-0 victory over Nongshim RedForce. This win marks their 22nd consecutive victory against Nongshim, a streak that has become almost legendary in the Korean League of Legends scene.

The match, held at the LCK Arena in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was highly anticipated as Nongshim had been showing improved performance this season with a 6-4 record before this match. However, Gen.G proved why they remain one of the top teams in the league, displaying superior teamfight coordination and individual skill throughout both games.

What makes this winning streak particularly impressive is not just its length but the consistency with which Gen.G has maintained their edge over Nongshim. According to match statistics, Gen.G has won 100% of their 19 encounters with Nongshim, with a total map score of 38-3 in their favor.

Game 1: The Methodical Dismantling

The first game showcased Gen.G's methodical approach to dismantling their opponents. From the early game, Gen.G established vision control around key objectives, limiting Nongshim's options and forcing them into unfavorable positions.

Chovy, Gen.G's mid laner, played a crucial role in this game with his signature Azir pick. His positioning during teamfights created constant pressure on Nongshim's backline, making it difficult for their carries to output damage effectively. Meanwhile, Ruler's precise ADC play provided the consistent damage output that Gen.G needed to secure objectives and teamfight victories.

A key turning point came around the 25-minute mark when Gen.G secured Baron after winning a teamfight near the pit. This objective allowed them to push multiple lanes simultaneously, stretching Nongshim's defense thin and eventually breaking into their base to end the game.

Game 2: A Swift Execution

If the first game was methodical, the second was a swift execution. Gen.G completed the game in just 21 minutes and 55 seconds, one of the fastest games in the LCK this season.

The draft phase saw Gen.G secure power picks that enabled them to dominate the early game. Ruler's performance on Zeri was particularly noteworthy, as he accumulated a significant gold advantage over his lane opponent and translated that into teamfight dominance.

A highlight moment came when Chovy executed a perfect shuffle with Azir during a mid-game skirmish, catching multiple Nongshim members off guard and setting up his team for a clean ace. This play effectively ended any chance of a comeback for Nongshim and accelerated Gen.G's path to victory.

The Weight of Expectations: Coach Park's Perspective

In the post-match interview, Nongshim's coach Park Seung-jin expressed his disappointment with the team's performance: "It was tougher than we expected. I don't think we played well. It's very disappointing."

Coach Park acknowledged that while they had some good moments in teamfights, the team seemed to feel pressured against Gen.G: "We secured some good points in teamfights. However, I think the team felt a lot of pressure from the opponent. As they became intimidated, we couldn't capitalize on the advantages we had in the game. Gen.G has something special. We'll discuss how to overcome this."

He also noted that the team tends to become rigid and passive when facing top-tier teams: "When playing against top teams, our movements become stiff and passive. We couldn't execute the details of our pick and ban phase effectively. We'll provide feedback to ensure we can show better performance on the big stage."

The Numbers Tell the Story: Statistical Dominance

The statistical breakdown of the match further illustrates Gen.G's dominance. In both games, Gen.G maintained gold leads throughout, with particularly strong advantages in the mid and late game phases.

Ruler, Gen.G's ADC, stood out with impressive KDA ratios across both games. In the second game, he secured a triple kill during a crucial teamfight around Baron, dealing over 8,000 damage in that engagement alone.

The vision control disparity was also significant, with Gen.G consistently maintaining more active wards on the map, allowing them better information to make strategic decisions. This advantage in information translated directly into better objective control, with Gen.G securing more dragons and Barons throughout the series.

Fan Reactions: Respect and Resignation

The Korean League of Legends community's reaction to the match was a mixture of respect for Gen.G's continued excellence and resignation about Nongshim's struggles against them.

On community forums like Inven, fans praised Ruler's carry performances, with comments like: "Ruler is just on another level right now. His positioning in teamfights is perfect."

Regarding the 22-match winning streak, one popular comment noted: "At this point, it's not even a rivalry anymore. It's just tradition for Gen.G to beat Nongshim."

Nongshim fans, while disappointed, remained supportive of their team: "They're still in 4th place with a 6-5 record. This loss against Gen.G was expected, but they can still make playoffs and show better performances there."

Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications

Despite this loss, Nongshim RedForce remains in 4th place in the LCK standings with a 6-5 record. Their performance against other teams in the league has been solid, with recent victories against Dplus KIA, KT Rolster, and BNK FEARX.

For Gen.G, this victory further cements their position as one of the favorites to win the LCK 2025 Spring Split. Their 10-match winning streak and flawless record in the past month make them a formidable opponent for any team in the playoffs.

As the regular season approaches its conclusion, both teams will be focusing on their remaining matches. For Nongshim, the challenge will be to maintain their playoff position and work on strategies to overcome top-tier teams. For Gen.G, the goal remains consistent: continue their dominant form heading into the playoffs and secure another LCK championship.

The Cultural Context: The Weight of History

The 22-match winning streak that Gen.G holds over Nongshim represents more than just a statistical anomaly in Korean esports. It embodies a psychological barrier that has become increasingly difficult for Nongshim to overcome.

In Korean esports culture, such dominant head-to-head records often take on a life of their own, becoming part of the narrative whenever these teams meet. Commentators and analysts inevitably mention the streak, adding pressure to the underdog team while reinforcing the confidence of the favorite.

This cultural context helps explain Coach Park's comments about his team becoming "stiff and passive" against top teams. The weight of history and expectation can significantly impact player performance, especially in a high-pressure environment like the LCK Arena.

Conclusion: The Continuation of a Dynasty

Gen.G's victory over Nongshim RedForce is not just another win in their impressive record; it's a continuation of their dynasty in the LCK. With players like Ruler and Chovy performing at their peak, Gen.G remains the team to beat as the season progresses.

For Nongshim, this match serves as both a disappointment and a learning opportunity. As Coach Park mentioned, they will need to find ways to overcome the psychological barrier when facing top teams if they hope to make a deep playoff run.

As the LCK 2025 Season continues, all eyes will be on whether any team can challenge Gen.G's dominance, and whether Nongshim can finally break their losing streak in their next encounter. Until then, Gen.G's reign over Nongshim remains one of the most remarkable ongoing stories in Korean League of Legends.