HLE’s victory was revealed by a T1 member
Recently, Hanwha Life Esports claimed the championship of LCK Summer 2024, to the astonishment of perhaps many League of Legends fans. This is because, after continuously failing against Gen.G, Peanut and his teammates won right in the most crucial match of the Summer 2024 tournament. Moreover, for the first time in his career, “Little Peanut” enters the World Championship as the number one seed without wearing the SKT T1 colors. However, HLE’s victory had already been predicted by none other than a member of T1. That person is Gumayusi.
Specifically, during the annual Media Day of the LCK at the start of the new season (in this case, the LCK Summer 2024 tournament), unlike previous times, this time Gumayusi represented T1 alongside coach KkOma, standing in for Faker. And unlike Faker, this time, the 2002-born AD Carry of T1 chose HLE as the team that would win the LCK Summer 2024 championship.
Notably, only Gumayusi predicted HLE, while other teams, including Peanut himself representing HLE, all chose Gen.G to secure their fifth consecutive LCK championship.
The Insight of T1 Members
Except for Gumayusi, Media Day appearances have previously always been Faker’s role. However, it can be observed that professional players in general, and T1 members in particular, have very accurate assessments of their opponents. Although HLE indeed has a strong lineup, no one thought they could dethrone Gen.G. Especially since prior to this final match, HLE had been defeated by Gen.G every time the two teams faced off (up until before this final, HLE had lost to Gen.G in all BO3 and BO5 matches, even with a star-studded lineup).
Just like Faker, who always chose Gen.G as the team that could become champions. And indeed, in LCK Spring 2023, Gen.G, despite continuously losing to T1, similar to HLE recently, unexpectedly triumphed over Faker and his teammates.
HLE deservedly won with the performance they displayed. But it also shows how keen the insight of T1 members is in assessing their direct rivals throughout the season.