These teams proved their power on the local and LoL esports international scenes. Who can take another step towards Final Stand 2025?
The competitive format of the LCK Cup 2025 brings some surprises — we can even say it shocks the fans. In the Group Stage, T1 defeated Gen.G and generally were one win ahead. However, due to the other teams’ performance, Gen.G advanced directly to the upper semi-final, while T1 players fell victim of the single-elimination Round 1.
Hanwha Life Esports is the team that eliminated T1 with no chance of recovery. This definitely proves the current power of the LCK Summer 2024 champions. But also, it applies the pressure of high expectations on them. Gen.G escaped facing the World Champions 2024, and they had already defeated Hanwha Life in the Groups. Could HLE keep their almighty mode till the very First Stand qualification?
Gen.G and Hanwha Life played in the semi-final (Round 2) of the LCK Cup 2025. Considering the previous events at this tournament, its high stakes, and the head-to-head history between these teams, it’s truly an epic League of Legends esports battle.
Where to watch LCK Cup 2025 Gen.G vs HLE?
You can watch the LoL match between Gen.G Esports and Hanwha Life Esports right here, below. The teams played on Feb. 16.
Gen.G Esports and Hanwha Life Esports: The LCK Cup 2025 semi-final (Round 2)
Starting from Round 2 matches, the LCK Cup 2025 Playoffs turn into double-elimination brackets. This means Gen.G and Hanwha Life can have another chance even if they lose. Sure, winning here is a substantial boost of chances to qualify for the LoL esports international event First Stand 2025. The winners advance directly to the upper-bracket final to face opponents who succeeded in the parallel brackets, Dplus KIA vs Nongshim RedForce.
Gen.G 2:3 HLE — Hanwha Life Esports win the series
Game | Winners |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hanwha Life Esports |
| 2 | Gen.G |
| 3 | Hanwha Life Esports |
| 4 | Gen.G |
| 5 | Hanwha Life Esports |
Banned LoL Champions
Game | Gen.G bans | HLE bans |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mel, Jayce, Poppy, Camille, Ambessa | Skarner, Kalista, Galio, Xayah, Ezreal |
| 2 | Mel, Poppy, Karma, Leona, Bard | Skarner, Kalista, Nidalee, Azir, Hwei |
| 3 | Skarner, Kalista, Nidalee, Lulu, Elise | Lee Sin, Ambessa, Nocturne, Renekton, Poppy |
| 4 | Nocturne, Poppy, Nautilus, Elise, Pantheon | Skarner, Kalista, Nidalee, Lulu, Ziggs |
| 5 | Skarner, Kalista, Caitlyn, Olaf, Anivia | Lee Sin, Nautilus, Nocturne, Lulu, Jinx |
Picked Champions
Gen.G picks | Gen.G Esports | Position | Hanwha Life Esports | HLE picks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K'Sante (G1) Ornn (G2) Gangplank (G3) Ambessa (G4) Kennen (G5) | Kiin | Top | Zeus | Gnar (G1) Rumble (G2) Jax (G3) Fiora (G4) Aatrox (G5) |
| Vi (G1) Wukong (G2) Lillia (G3) Karthus (G4) Viego (G5) | Canyon | Jungler | Peanut | Sejuani (G1) Xin Zhao (G2) Maokai (G3) Zyra (G4) Nidalee (G5) |
| Aurora (G1) Jayce (G2) Mel (G3) Smolder (G4) Sylas (G5) | Chovy | Mid | Zeka | Yone (G1) Galio (G2) Azir (G3) Renekton (G4) Ahri (G5) |
| Corki (G1) Varus (G2) Miss Fortune (G3) Ashe (G4) Twitch (G5) | Ruler | Bot | Viper | Kai'Sa (G1) Ezreal (G2) Jhin (G3) Xayah (G4) Zeri (G5) |
| Alistar (G1) Rell (G2) Leona (G3) Camille (G4) Pantheon (G5) | Duro | Support | Delight | Rakan (G1) Braum (G2) Pyke (G3) Shen (G4) Poppy (G5) |
GEN vs HLE: Match recap
The League of Legends esports match between Gen.G Esports and Hanwha Life Esports was back-and-forth till the very last game.
Throughout the entire series, it felt like the Hanwha Life players were somewhat better. Even a seemingly hopeless game 2 went differently for them.
Gen.G were certainly not an easy victim. They lacked the synergy to end games, and their draft choices backfired on them in game 5. The opponents destroyed Gen.G with no chance to recover.
Hanwha Life Esports advance to the upper final to play against Dplus KIA. Gen.G have an elimination match vs Nongshim RedForce — Lehends faces his former teammates.
“We all thought that today was a very important day for us, and I’m happy that we managed to show an improved performance throughout the series today. After losing to Dplus KIA [in the Group stage], we managed to find a direction for our playstyle. Game 1 was critical as we won on the red side. [Our next opponents, Dplus KIA] are in great form, so we will do our best to match their strength.”
Game 1
For a pretty long time, the game was even. Both teams were active around the map and got their portion of gold and kills. But no one could get a tangible advantage.
The situation changed around an Atakhan fight. It went wrong for Gen.G Esports, and Hanwha Life started going ahead. Suddenly, HLE got the upper hand in team fights.
After another successful clash, Hanwha Life Esports secured Baron, pushed for a siege, and won game 1.
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Game 2
After a good ambush against Zeus, Gen.G started to develop their control over the game. Soon, Kiin even managed to perform a solo kill: Rumble looked very behind too early.
Hanwha Life secured the first Dragon, but Gen.G decided to take the full set of Voidgrubs and earned two seemingly simple kills.
At around minute 13, it felt like HLE had very little chance to recover in this game. They got the second Dragon, but team fights were disastrous for Hanwha Life. Who knew that the game would be such a rollercoaster?
Galio did a great job for HLE helping teammates survive and pull themselves out of the desperation pit. Hanwha Life unexpectedly were pretty much alive in this game. They even secured Baron — and then earned an Ace when Gen.G tried to get themselves Atakhan.
To get this new LoL monster again, Gen.G abandoned a Dragon. That was an excellent decision! HLE went for a fight and lost four players in it. With the Atakhan buff, Gen.G started their siege and saved this game.
Game 3
Hanwha Life Esports got two first kills in this game, but Gen.G killed the first three Voidgrubs. However slow the action felt, HLE continued farming random kills and harassing their opponents.
On their side, Gen.G secured the first Dragon, and they successfully pushed through the Top lane to get the first turret. Hanwha Life controlled the rest of the map, and they earned the Atakhan buff before taking their Dragon and Baron. That was enough for them to start a siege and reach the match point situation.
Game 4
The teams exchanged early kills on the Top lane: it was the First Blood for Gen.G but one extra kill in the score for HLE. In a massive fight around the second pack of Voidgrubs, Gen.G eliminated the kill difference and even went ahead. They had five of those creatures to threaten turrets.
Hanwha Life responded with a couple of excellent kills. They got Herald and launched it via Mid. Gen.G made a nice push on the Bot lane. It was anyone’s game at this point.
In a totally chaotic fight around a Dragon, Gen.G earned an Ace and secured the objective with just two Champions left alive. After reviving, LoL Gen.G Esports got themselves Atakhan and started pushing all over the place.
Chovy's Smolder was nicely fed to become awfully dangerous. Gen.G got Baron and denied a Soul for HLE. With the buff on their side, Gen.G Esports attacked the base, destroyed two Inhibitors, killed four opponents, and won the game. This LCK Cup 2025 Playoffs match reached the decisive game 5.
Game 5
Hanwha Life earned the First Blood pretty early, and they got two more kills quickly after that. The LoL fearless draft choices worked nicely for HLE. They continued pressuring the lanes and denying farms for Gen.G.
The trades fell in favor of Hanwha Life: six Voidgrubs for a Dragon and a kill. HLE developed their Champions to the level of unstoppable beasts — to dominate in team fights.
After a dreadful Ace, HLE went to an already half-demolished base of Gen.G and washed their opponents down to the elimination brackets.
Emotional head-to-head history
At first sight, it may seem that Gen.G is a better and stronger team. This is an impression from their international performances.
- Gen.G Esports are the MSI 2024 Champions.
- At the LoL Worlds 2024, Gen.G reached the semi-final and lost only to the future Champions.
The recent international record of Hanwha Life Esports is not so wonderful.
- In three years, from 2022 to 2024, HLE participated only in the Worlds 2024. The team reached the top 8, which is really good, though. Hanwha Life Esports lost to BLG back then.
Everything looks different if we dive into the regional head-to-head history. Specifically, the most recent big tournament was a moment when HLE boosted themselves back to the Korean LoL elite.
- At the LCK Summer 2024, Hanwha Life Esports defeated T1 twice. They reached the grand final and won over Gen.G.
As for the LCK Cup 2025, Gen.G and HLE entered this tournament with roster changes. HLE exchanged Top laners with T1: Zeus is now a Hanwha Life player instead of Doran. Gen.G lost Lehends who is in Nongshim RedForce now and Peyz who is in JD Gaming. Ruler and Duro replaced these players.
With refreshed rosters, both HLE and Gen.G have ups and downs in the tournament. It’s interesting to witness who adapts better.
The final matches of the LCK Cup 2025 happen on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. Only the tournament winners advance to the first LoL international event of 2025, First Stand.
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