Baron Timer

All this time, the prediction of Finals winners were left exclusively to those who were experts in the field, like the Head Coaches and Casters. From things like sharp ban/pick strategies to gameplay that only materialized at the upper echelon of pro play; there were things that the ordinary League of Legends player had trouble fully understanding.

But aside from Head Coaches and Casters, there are those hidden people who have watched LoL Champs, and know the players and teams more so than anyone else. Now! From players who can put forward their thoughts now that they’ve left the domestic scene, to the Buff Girls and Announcer Cho Eun-jung, who constantly were present at the matches -- we talked to all these dedicated people who’ve long supported LoL Champs and heard what they had to say.

The Star of last year’s Spring Finals! Returning as a Live Spectator: Easyhoon

Hello, I’m Easyhoon, currently playing for ViCi Gaming. Due to VG’s early exit from Playoffs, I now have the time to attend the LCK Spring Finals. Because I like both teams facing off at the Finals and they are both very good, it’s a bit hard for me to predict the winner. Even so, recently SKT T1 has played through many matches and have revealed a lot of their ban/picks. So, I’m anticipating that they’ll have a slight disadvantage.

If SKT T1 were to win, I think Sang-hyeok (Faker) will get MVP. I watched the last match against kt Rolster, and his active role on champions like Cassiopeia was impressive. As a player who more than fulfills his fans’ expectations, he will put up a great performance at the Finals, too.

And in the current meta, the conditions of the early and mid-game are often decided by the movements of the Jungler. For both most kills and most deaths, I believe that the Jungler, who is at the middle of many situations, will set the records.

And lastly, if I were to talk about SKT T1, Jun-sik (Bang) and Lee “Duke” Ho-seong have been doing well since the beginning of the season without any inconsistencies. Duke especially has been doing very well. I feel that his exceptional abilities haven’t been mentioned much, so I hope things will get even better for him going forward.

Reminiscing the last LCK stage - Lee “GBM” Chang-seok, Seon “Space” Ho-san

Finals MVP: Lee “Ganked by Mom” Chang-seok: ROX Tigers Song “Smeb” Kyeong-ho, Yoon “Peanut” Wang-ho / SKT T1 Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Lee “Duke” Ho-seong

Seon “Space” Ho-san: ROX Tigers Peanut, SKT T1 Faker

Finals match Most Kills, Most Deaths: GBM: Most Kills: Peanut / Most Deaths: Wouldn’t the support become the sacrificial lamb...?

Space: Most Kills: Peanut / Most Deaths: Faker, who is under the very focused “keep in check” program by the enemy team

Q. Please say a brief hello to the readers.

GBM: I am NRG mid-laner Ganked by Mom. I received about a month’s vacation and am resting up well in Korea.

Space: I’m streaming and living peacefully.

Q. The match between the two world-class teams, SKT T1 and the ROX Tigers, has approached quite suddenly. Which team do you predict to be the Spring Split Champions?

GBM: I think that the chance of the ROX Tigers winning is 6:4. Because Peanut has more experience in the current carry-Jungler meta, I think he will gain the upper hand. And because Lee “KurO” Seo-haeng does at least his 1-person part, he won’t be pushed out by Faker. ROX Tigers also are a bit better at overall communication and setting/maintaining game speed.

Space: I also predict a ROX Tigers win this time around. Last year, during Round 2 of Spring SKT T1 recorded an all-win streak while ROX stagnated. This time around the ROX Tigers weren’t shaken up as badly as last year and have maintained that air. So, I think they will win.

Q. If you were to talk about the activity of your previous teams?

GBM: I felt great because it seemed like the ability from last year’s last practice manifested itself well in the regular season. I trust that they’ll do even better next season.

Space: This season, though everyone aside from Hong “MadLife” Min-gi hyung were rookies, they did really well. This season was their first, so I think they will be able to do even better next season.

Q. Please say something to the players who have taken on your role.

GBM: Seong-hyeok (Kuzan), let’s try to make an effort to see each other at Worlds. Of course, whether or not I will be able to go as well is a question in and of itself...

Space: Fighting, to “CJ’s Best ADC” (laughs).

Q. We’re curious to know if you have a team you hope will win.

GBM: I just hope we’ll have a really fun match to watch.

Space: I want the ROX Tigers to win. Wouldn’t even more fun aspects start to unfold?

Their buffs haven’t expired yet! Beautiful Buff Girls #4, 5, 6, 7, 8!

From left: Buff Girl #4 Kim Seo-young, #5 Go Yun-seon, #6 Cho Soo-kyeong, #7 Go Yoo-jeong, #8 Kim Si-nae

Finals MVP: Buff Girl 8 Kim Si-nae: SKT T1 “Legend” Faker / ROX Tigers Smeb Buff Girl 7 Go Yoo-jeong: SKT T1 Faker / ROX Tigers Kim “PraY” Jong-in Buff Girl 6 Cho Soo-kyeong: For Superplays, of course SKT T1 Faker Buff Girl 5 Go Yun-seon: Team is irrelevant; because of the carry-Jungler meta, the Jungler Buff Girl 4 Kim Seo-young: It’d be Faker, but I wish the majority could receive it

Finals match Most Kills, Most Deaths: Buff Girl 8 Kim Si-nae: Most Kills: SKT T1 Faker Buff Girl 7 Go Yoo-jeong: Most Kills: SKT T1 Bae “Bang” Jun-sik Buff Girl 6 Cho Soo-kyeong: Most Kills: Jungle carry ROX Tigers Peanut / Most Deaths: I think Kang “GorillA” Beom-hyeon, who has a mothering heart, will sacrifice himself for everyone Buff Girl 5 Go Yun-seon: Most Kills: SKT T1 Bang / Most Deaths: I think the Junglers will record the most deaths. Buff Girl 4 Kim Seo-young: Most Kills: SKT T1 Bang

Q. Please give a brief hello message to the readers!

Buff Girl 8 Kim Si-nae: The Finals have approached us before we were even aware. My work period as the Buff Girl was for the duration of this season, and I’m sad that there isn’t that much time that remains. Lately I’ve been busy preparing events and things to say for the Finals. I’m also diligently playing LoL.

Buff Girl 7 Go Yoo-jeong: Hello, I am Go Yoo-jeong, Buff Girl for the 2015 Summer Season! Lately I’ve been spending my time barricaded at home playing games. I’m also spending my time looking for a good part-time job.

Buff Girl 6 Cho Soo-kyeong: It’s been awhile! Right now, I’m attending school and have been very busy with preparations for transferring. I haven’t been able to catch all the LoL Champs games, but I haven’t been missing the highlight reels!

Buff Girl 5 Go Yun-seon: Hello! I’m Go Yun-seon, the Buff Girl of the 2014 Summer Season. I haven’t been able to escape the ‘Student’ title just yet! I’ve been continuously preparing for my dreams.

Buff Girl 4 Kim Seo-young: Hello! I’m the 4th Buff Girl, Kim Seo-young. I’ve been forgotten since it has been 2 years, but I am breathing and well alive, preparing for graduation exhibits.

Q. The match between the two world-class teams, SKT T1 and the ROX Tigers, has approached quite suddenly. Which team do you predict to be the Spring Split Champions?

Buff Girl 7 Go Yoo-jeong: As an SKT T1 fan I definitely hope that SKT T1 will win, but this season the ROX Tigers’ force is so great that it’s hard to predict who will win. But even so, it doesn’t matter because whichever team wins, they are one of the world’s best! I just hope that the match scores don’t end up 3:0. I want to spectate a very tense match series and have to return home late.

Buff Girl 6 Cho Soo-kyeong: It’s a bit hard for a prediction, but I think the ROX Tigers will win. The ROX Tigers haven’t had intense bouts of inconsistencies and their ban/picks and gameplay has been very good.

Buff Girl 5 Go Yun-seon: I don’t think it’d be weird if either team won. Personally, I’m cheering for SKT T1 a bit more. Whenever they’re able to reach the Finals, I think that they have that much more of an explosive synergy.

Q. Is there a player you’d especially like to give a buff to at the upcoming Finals?

Buff Girl 8 Kim Si-nae: I’d like to give it to Bang. During the kt Rolster match I saw that he lay down briefly to rest, and he looked really exhausted. Even now that image comes to mind from time to time. I want to send him the message to hang in there!

Buff Girl 7 Go Yoo-jeong: SKT T1′s Kang “Blank” Seon-gu and ROX Tigers’ Peanut. Both are the youngest of their respective teams and it’s the first Finals experience for both of them, so I hope that they don’t get too nervous and are able to showcase their full range of abilities.

Buff Girl 6 Cho Soo-kyeong: Faker! Even in real life he is very well-mannered and his skills are very prominent, so he was a player I became a fan of while performing as a Buff Girl. He was able to play an active role in Spring 2015, while I was a Buff Girl -- I hope that he’ll be able to show us some Superplays like he did then.

Buff Girl 5 Go Yun-seon: I’d like to give it to KurO! When some lacking plays come out, compared to his usual mechanics or practices, I hope that he’ll receive the buff and endures the oppression of the mid lane!

Buff Girl 4 Kim Seo-young: GorillA! I often snuck looks at him at a restaurant I frequent. Now I’ll confidently shout “Fighting” out to him!

Q. If you were to a pick a player who you think likes KkoKkalCorn the most...? Buff Girl 7 Go Yoo-jeong: I feel like Faker would like it the most? Last season I gave him some candy a few times, and he really liked it. It seems like he likes to snack, so I feel like he’d like KkoKkalCorn too.

Buff Girl 6 Cho Soo-kyeong: I think it’d be Peanut... Since it’s... complimentary...

Buff Girl 4 Kim Seo-young: Peanut. I also really liked snacks at that age...

Q. Starting from the Summer Season, a new Buff Girl will start her duties! As a Senior, what would you say to the new Buff Girl?

Buff Girl 8 Kim Si-nae: First things first, congratulations on becoming the Buff Girl! Working at the location, you get to make a lot of memories -- but it can also be difficult. But there are a lot more fun things that happen, so I hope that you don’t get scared and do well!

Buff Girl 7 Go Yoo-jeong: I hope that they’ll enjoy being the Buff Girl while doing duties. It’s important that you enjoy every moment so that you don’t have any regrets after the term is over. And there are a lot of people willing to help, so I hope that you’ll contact them without hesitation. I hope you’ll become a confident Buff Girl and take pride in yourself!

Buff Girl 6 Cho Soo-kyeong: I hope that you won’t take to heart the comments or what other people say of you. You’re working in an environment you like and  so I hope while you are the Buff Girl, you will be very happy! Fighting!

The Goddess of Victory does not easily lift one’s hands? Keeping neutral, “Goddess” Announcer Cho Eun-jung

Hello, I’m OGN Announcer Cho Eun-jung. It’s already the Spring Season Finals - time really flies! As for me, after the Playoffs, it’s been exam season at school. I’m studying diligently while waiting for the Finals. As the LCK is the greatest league, I think that many fans around the world are taking notice and waiting with anticipation.

It’s hard to easily predict the outcome of the Spring Finals. Because both teams are very good teams, what might be the most important point is the condition of the players on the day of the Finals. Wouldn’t a bit of an outline show itself after Game 1?

If the ROX Tigers win, I think that Peanut or Song “Smeb” Kyung-ho will receive the MVP title. If SKT T1 wins, I anticipate that Faker will become MVP. As for the Most Kills of the Finals series, I think Bang will be the player to set that record.

You’ve asked about interview manners, and a majority of the players have a good interview manner. But if I were to pick out of the players, Faker, Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho, GorillA, Lee “Wolf” Jae-wan, Park “Winged” Tae-jin, and Kang “Cpt. Jack” Hyeong-woo can be said as the “TOP 6.”

Photos courtesy of Inven.co.kr!

Original Korean Inven article here: http://www.inven.co.kr/webzine/news/?news=155138&iskin=esports

Naver link: http://sports.news.naver.com/esports/news/read.nhn?oid=442&aid=0000034727

Read below for Head Coach Han Sang-yong and TrAce’s interview!

Read below for the updated final regular season standings!

Read below for the updated standings! 

Read below for the updated standings! Which of your favorite teams will be playing in the Playoffs? :)

The League Champions Korea Playoffs schedule has been released!

April 13th WEDNESDAY 6 PM KST - “Wildcard Match” - Best of 3 Spring Season 4th Place vs Spring Season 5th Place

April 15th FRIDAY 6 PM KST - “Semi-Playoffs” - Best of 5 Spring Season 3rd Place vs Winner of Wildcard Match

April 16th SATURDAY 6 PM KST - “Playoffs” - Best of 5 Spring Season 2nd Place vs Winner of Semi-Playoffs

April 23rd SATURDAY 5 PM KST - “Finals” - Best of 5 ROX Tigers vs Winner of Playoffs

Finals will be held at Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, which previously held the 2014 World Championship Semi-Finals games.

Read below for the updated standings!

About the series: “LoL Player” is a space in which players who have just begun to be noticed and/or are about to debut are introduced to the fans. It’s a step that you must go through if you are a true League of Legends gosu. When they, and how they, came into the Rift, what champion they’re most confident on, and so forth - we take this time to ask that you take interest in and support these rookie pro gamers and their stories.

In the League of Legends sphere, there are pro players who become famous and are a hot issue even before they debut. The player about to be introduced today, CJ Entus’ rookie mid laner Gwak “BDD” Bo-seong, is already a player rumoured to possess extraordinary skill.

BDD became known through many a “mad movie” containing his super plays, and many fans became entranced. There are increasing amounts of fans that anticipate his debut, saying things like “I really hope BDD plays soon.”

All this time, he was unable to participate in the LCK (LoL Champions Korea) due to being under the age requirement of 17. But as of March 1st and the passing of his birthday, he has finally become eligible to participate in Round 2 of the 2016 Spring Split. BDD revealed his excitement, saying “I waited for my birthday because I wanted to hurry and play in LoL Champs.”

When did you first begin playing League of Legends?

In Season 3, after watching the plays of Hong “MadLife” Min-gi hyung, I started LoL as a Support player. My most-played champion was even Blitzcrank. In the middle I changed my course to be Malphite Jungle, and as Pool Party Ziggs came along, I changed my goal to become a Ziggs master.

And then Zed was released - I thought he was cool so I really played him diligently. My score was able to rise better as a mid laner. I concluded Season 3 as Platinum 1, got Diamond 1 in the pre-season, and in Season 4, I hit Challenger.

It must’ve been extraordinary joining CJ Entus, MadLife’s team.

It was so amazing to the point that it would put me into a daze. For the duration of a month, I kept thinking, “What happened?” (BDD participated in a Logitech-sponsored amateur tournament with Jang “Ghost” Yong-jun, who he had become friends with through Solo Queue. He caught the eyes of CJ Entus’ coaching staff, joining the team as of February last year.)

What gave you the opportunity to dream of becoming a pro gamer?

As my score rose, I naturally started wanting to become a pro gamer. In Season 3 after I become Diamond 1, I joined the Relive Clan. I believe Lee “Scout” Ye-chan had also been in that clan. Within the clan, I made a team and went out to compete in tournaments - nurturing my dreams of becoming a pro gamer.

What was your parents’ reactions like when you said you were going to become a pro gamer?

I’m a bit of a game maniac, so I said that I would be a pro gamer quite often. Also, maybe they thought that CJ would be trustworthy, as they’re a big corporation - because they supported me.

What does your Summoner Name ‘bdd’ mean?

My friends called me by a nickname, “bo ddong” [play on his name - adding “ddong”, or “poop”, to it] I took the first letters of it using the English alphabet, and am using “BDD” as my Summoner name. Now, fans exclaim that the acronym stands for “bap do duk.” [something that makes food disappear quickly] (laughs)

BDD, imitating Zed’s moves

As your Solo Queue plays became famous, you’ve become a highly anticipated player to watch. There are fans who call you “The 2nd Faker.”

I watch about 10 of my “mad movies” [highlight reels] every day. I’m a bit disappointed because they don’t seem to come up that often anymore (laughs). That was a joke, I’m happy that many people have expectatons of me. But it’s also a burden. I’m a rookie, and I think that if I’m compared to the world’s greatest player, I won’t be able to hear good things. It’s really hard to see harsh comments due to me being compared to another player. I hope you’ll just watch out for me going forward, instead.

It seems you’re enthusiastic about climbing the Solo Queue ladder.

When my LP is high, I get confident and moving/control feels like it’s being done well. So, I think it’s important. But recently, I’ve been playing mid Kindred and had 10 losses in a row. I’ve lost a lot of points. When I gain points I feel like playing off-kilter champion picks (laughs).

You’re famous for being a Zed master. In the recent meta, it’s hard to find a situation where Zed can play an active role.

If you’re good with Zed, and the better you are with him, he’s a good champion. As I see it, he has no limits. If the situation allows for it, I want to use him in matches.

If you have a role model, who is it?

It’s Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, and I like him still. When I changed into the mid lane role, Faker doing well looked so cool and I was influenced by it. Whenever I would meet Faker in Solo Queue I played with the attitude of wanting to learn from him. But if I meet him in competitive matches, I will go into it with the resolve of winning no matter what.

If you were to explain your personal play style?

I’m rather aggressive, even when playing a defensive champion like Xerath. In team play when I have to play defensively, I make an effort to lessen my aggressiveness. I roam sometimes when I feel like it (laughs).

You’re now of age to play in the LCK. What do you think it’d be like to play your debut match?

When I become nervous and tense, my focus gets better and I make more effort. I want to show all the fruits of practice at LoL Champs, and want to put up good scores.

Going forward, what kind of pro gamer do you want to be?

I want to follow all the practice times and rules that need to be followed, and want to always work hard. I want to be a mid laner without any inconsistencies. Also, I want to gain trust so that I can become a player that my teammates can depend on.

PLAYER PROFILE:

Name: Gwak Bo-seong ID: BDD Position: Mid Main Champions: Zed, Azir, Syndra Birthdate: 1999 March 1 Bloodtype: O Tier: Challenger

Original Korean Fomos article here: http://www.fomos.kr/esports/news_view?lurl=%2Fesports%2Fnews_list%3Fnews_cate_id%3D1&entry_id=22306

Photos courtesy of Fomos.co.kr!

Read below for Kang “Ambition” Chan-yong’s interview!

Read below for Ha “Hachani” Seung-chan’s interview!

Read below for Shin “CoCo” Jin-yeong and Gu “Expession” Bon-taek’s interview!