Gen.G Esports is officially T1’s father.
When the LCK Spring Split 2024 Grand Final between Gen.G Esports and T1 began, there were many things on the line.
First, T1 looks to break the curse: they have faced Gen.G in the past four finals in the LCK, and Gen.G took the most recent three series. Second, Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon looks to overtake Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok by achieving a four-peat in the LCK championship. Third, this win for Gen.G means that Kim "Kiin" Gi-in would have been placed in every possible placement in the LCK, from 1st to 10th.
As a fun little tidbit, the 100th game between Chovy and Faker also happened in this series.
"I told myself I wouldn't cry today. I feel so emotional right now. I'll make sure to show a great performance at MSI," says Kiin in the post-match interview as he broke into tears.
"Being able to achieve the first LCK four-peat is such an honor." Chovy comments on his LCK four-peat in the post-match interview after Gen.G vs T1. "To be honest, even at the very top, I'm just really happy to be achieving new heights and keep on climbing."
The LCK Spring 2024 Grand Final, Gen.G vs T1, was also the first five-game series in six years. The last time this happened, Chovy was there too. "I feel like with the first game, the first win, we thought we had good drafts. We had a good feelings and we went in with good confidence," says the Gen.G mid-laner.
"Our main goal is to make our fans proud and happy. We'll put in a lot of effort to be successful in [MSI]," adds Chovy.
The LCK Spring Split 2024 Finals MVP was awarded to Gen.G Esports top-laner Kiin.
The Gen.G Esports squad consisting of top laner Kim "Kiin" Gi-in, jungler Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu, mid laner Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon, bot laner Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan, and support Son "Lehends" Si-woo will begin in the Bracket Stage of MSI 2024.
T1, consisting of top laner Choi "Zeus" Woo-Je, jungler Moon "Oner" Hyeon-joon, superstar mid laner Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, bot laner Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong, and support Ryu "Keria" Min-seok will begin their MSI 2024 in the Play-In Stage.
LCK Spring Split 2024 Grand Final: Gen.G vs T1
In Game 1, Gen.G Esports takes the upper hand in the early game thanks to their good control. T1 answers back with volatile plays and decisive calls, keeping them in the game. Additionally, two big cashouts on Gumayusi's Draven bail them out in the mid-game and equalize the gold. The game came to a head when a fight around the Elder Dragon broke out. Gen.G played it well initially, but a quadra kill from Faker out of nowhere repelled their attempt.
Canyon wins the ensuing Elder Dragon flip and Gen.G wipe T1 to put them ahead 1-0.
In game 2, the two teams go head-to-head in an incredibly close game. T1 and Gen.G show off their mechanical prowess in the many team fights that break out in the Rift. Chovy on his Aurelion Sol became the pillar for Gen.G and the main obstacle for T1, but Faker's Azir and Keria's Neeko proved themselves better. Another shoutout performance for this game was Oner's Xin Zhao - and a callout to Lehends' Annie for being virtually useless.
Slow starts become the norm in this high-stakes series as game 3 begins. Finally, the scales tip after a massive team fight in the mid-game allowing T1 to take Baron and take a significant lead. As T1 gains more gold, map control, and items, they slowly overpower Gen.G's champions. Eventually, T1's superior teamfighting and micro capabilities place them in match point.
For Game 4, Gen.G brings out an ace up their sleeve, Kha'Zix, to match Oner's Xin Zhao. This eventually becomes the key to their win alongside Chovy's Aurelion Sol. Despite the slow early game, the odd Kha'Zix pick bares its teeth against T1's squishy team composition.
In Game 5, Canyon's Kha'Zix earns a respect ban from T1 as the latter team runs back the Xin Zhao for Oner. Then, Gen.G comes out of the gate swinging and finds early advantages against T1. This eventually explodes in the mid-game as Gen.G takes the Infernal Soul and Corki's poke turns insufferable for T1.
From here, Gen.G plays almost-perfect League of Legends, and they seal the deal with a quadra kill from Peyz.
Fans of Gen.G Esports and T1 can catch them in action in the upcoming MSI 2024.