If we had to identify the name making the strongest impression in LCK Summer 2023, it wouldn’t be Gen.G with their unbeaten record or T1, the top-tier famous team, but rather KT Rolster. This team, often seen as weaker than T1 in the “telecom wars” and having spent years in the middle of the rankings, is making a strong comeback. As of now, only Gen.G has managed to defeat KT. However, the achievements of this team go beyond that.
Specifically, since their defeat to Gen.G, no team in LCK Summer 2023, including T1 during Faker’s tenure, has managed to win even a single game against KT. This unbeaten record by KT would be even more impressive if they can maintain it in the upcoming matches. In fact, during the same period, the team that defeated KT, Gen.G, also has an unbeaten streak. However, Gen.G has had to push some matches to game 3 (3 matches in the first round against KT, T1, and Dplus KIA).
If KT can maintain their unbeaten record with a 2-0 score against Hanwha Life Esports, they will officially break the record set by SKT T1 in 2015. At that time, SKT T1 had a streak of 16 consecutive game wins (8 matches won 2-0), and that streak was stopped by KT Rolster. Although KT lost that match, they initially led after game 1 and were the ones to end SKT T1’s 2-0 win streak.
Of course, this task for KT is not easy. Even though they have been performing well, in the first round, Hanwha Life Esports was the team that managed to win a game against KT. Furthermore, currently, HLE is also showing quite stable form. They have won their last 2 matches with the same 2-0 score. Despite the absence of Clid, HLE’s stars have shown a good adaptability to the situation.
Certainly, for KT, the ultimate victory remains the most important. However, having a record looming ahead is also a significant motivation for the players to strive, especially since that record is held by one of their greatest rivals in the LCK – the SKT T1 squad led by Faker.