Fnatic (2011)
Additionally, Fnatic is known as a gathering place for many high-quality players in Europe. Notable stars who have worn the Fnatic jersey include Caps, Rekkles, sOAZ, xPeke… Currently, Fnatic has yet to regain its former glory on the international stage, but in the domestic league, the former World Champion of 2011 can confidently claim to be one of the three most powerful and stable names at present, alongside G2 Esports and MAD Lions.
Taipei Assassins (2012)
The next team after Fnatic that fell victim to the World Championship curse is Taipei Assassins – the team that crowned itself champion of Season 2 while Fnatic was still struggling after its glorious days. Before entering the tournament, Taipei Assassins was the least expected team despite being placed in the group exempt from the group stage. Then came victories against NaJin Sword led by superstar MakNooN, as well as a spectacular comeback against the Russian squad M5 with Alex Ich and Diamondprox, culminating in a win against Azubu Frost from Korea, which brought Taipei Assassins to the pinnacle of glory.
However, that was all Taipei Assassins could achieve. After their fairytale-like championship, TPA could only leave a final mark at IGN ProLeague 5 before entering a steep decline. The legends gradually left until only Bebe remained to rebuild the team. Now, the team has been renamed J Team, owned by star Jay Chou, and competes in PCS. Although they have somewhat regained their former glory, what Taipei Assassins achieved remains a miracle that League of Legends fans will always remember.
Samsung White (2014)
Currently, Samsung White is just a name and somewhat appears on Riot’s honor skin. However, the Hall of Fame of League of Legends will still remember the five players in white who helped solidify the position of the LCK region in the League of Legends world.
Samsung Galaxy (2017)
Formed from the merger of Samsung White and Samsung Blue, Samsung Galaxy is one of the most unforgettable champions in League of Legends history. Besides the stellar performance of individual players that year like Cuvee, Ambition, Haru, Crown, Ruler, and CoreJJ, Samsung Galaxy’s championship also symbolized the breaking of SKT T1’s dominance at that time (now T1). The image of Faker collapsing in tears after a defeat to his fellow countrymen will likely remain one of the most haunting moments for League of Legends fans in general and for T1 fans and the “Demon King” in particular.
Right after returning from the World Championship, there were countless rumors about Samsung Galaxy disappearing from the League of Legends world map. Indeed, after numerous speculations, Samsung Galaxy eventually became part of KSV Esports, owned by Kevin Chu. However, the name KSV Esports only lasted until Spring 2018 before being officially changed to Gen.G Esports, which remains to this day.
Samsung Galaxy and previously Samsung White are names that will always leave an impression in the hearts of fans for their contributions to the League of Legends scene worldwide and particularly in the LCK region.
Invictus Gaming (2018)
If you have to find a name that helped elevate LPL on the international stage, opening an era for LPL at the World Championship, it must be Invictus Gaming. Not only did they end the dominance of teams from the LCK region, but IG was also a very special champion: at the domestic level until that time, they had not won any titles. In fact, in the LPL Summer 2018 finals, they almost claimed the championship before losing to RNG.
However, the 2018 World Championship victory not only ended IG’s dark period but also brought names like JackeyLove and Ning into the spotlight and elevated Rookie and TheShy to global heights. To this day, Rookie still holds the record for LPL with 2500 kills (only behind former ADC Uzi), while TheShy’s unique top lane style with ADC champions remains hard for anyone to replicate.
However, the best of IG may have been fully realized at the 2018 World Championship. In the following 2019 season, they still participated in Paris but were eliminated early in the semifinals after losing to the new powerhouse FunPlus Phoenix – the team that later became the champion. In the 2020 season, IG faced continuous failures in the Spring and Summer playoffs as TheShy and Rookie were not themselves. In fact, after a loss to LGD Gaming, they set a record of nearly 500 days without winning a playoff match.
In the 2021 season, IG showed no signs of improvement. In both Spring, they only ranked 9th out of 10 playoff teams, while in Summer, TheShy and his teammates didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Not to mention, with rumors that TheShy and Rookie would retire after 2021, many have understood that the era of IG has ended, and now they must rebuild from scratch if they do not want IG to be just a name in history.
FunPlus Phoenix (2019)
The theme song of that year’s World Championship was titled “Phoenix” and, according to many, it was a “sign” for FunPlus Phoenix’s championship – another representative from the LPL region. The year 2019 can be seen as the year of dominance for Doinb and his teammates as they were champions of both the LPL Spring and Summer before defeating G2 Esports in the finals to claim victory in Paris.
After the 2019 championship, FPX also fell victim to the “World Championship curse” by missing the 2020 World Championship. This can be seen as a dark period for FPX, and this poor performance streak continued until Spring 2021. Although FPX still reached the LPL Spring 2021 finals (losing to Royal Never Give Up 3-1), internal rifts and scandals involving jungler Bo left few expecting FPX when Summer began.
However, dispelling all doubts, FPX, like its name – the Phoenix, rebounded powerfully from the ashes. With the outstanding performance of each individual, especially Doinb, and the early year addition Nuguri adapting well with his teammates, FPX is currently soaring high in the LPL standings. And if they continue to maintain their current destructive form, along with Doinb’s determination to “win the World Championship for another honor skin”, fans of this team can fully trust that the Phoenix will again soar high in their home country of China soon.
DAMWON Gaming (2020)
A championship team where every position features the best player in their role, one can mention DAMWON Gaming (now DWG KIA – DK). At the 2020 World Championship, it can be said that DK brought a formidable lineup, especially their top half featuring the trio: ShowMaker, Canyon, and Nuguri. In fact, on that day, as long as the duo Ghost and BeryL played decently, DK could easily wipe out any opponent, no matter how strong or cunning.
DK’s championship in 2020 not only ended the era of Chinese dominance in League of Legends but also affirmed that in the LCK region, T1 is not the only team that knows how to win championships. DK also opened a new era with younger names who are no less talented than their predecessors. After that, DK continued their good form by winning the LCK Spring 2021 and finishing as runners-up at MSI 2021.
However, upon returning from MSI, DK faced many challenges in regaining their former form. Although they currently secured a spot in the playoffs, their inconsistency and heavy reliance on individual performances raise concerns that this could become a fatal weakness when the playoffs are filled with extremely strong names, and every mistake comes with a heavy price.
SKT T1 (2013, 2015, 2016)
An icon, one of the greatest champions in League of Legends history, and the first (and only) team to date to defend the World Championship title – T1. Not only that, but players like Faker, Wolf, and Bang will always be names that bring pride to South Korea, solidifying the position of the LCK region in the League of Legends world.
Although after parting ways with coach Daeny and Zefa, the team’s performance has shown clear progress, there remains a sense of instability within T1, and they could collapse at any moment. However, T1 fans and Faker’s fans can certainly hope that with the team’s unity and the leadership of the “Demon King,” T1 can create many surprises. And who knows, Faker might finally fulfill the long-held wish within him, especially after the bitter defeats against Samsung Galaxy or G2 in the past.
