[LoL News] Season Two Regional Spotlight: Korea

[Adiados]

Despite being the most recent region brought to League of Legends, Korea has a long history of elite eSports competition. Soon after launch in December 2011, gaming houses sprang up around Seoul and two leagues were being broadcast on Korean television. The premier series, OGN’s Azubu The Champions, rapidly became the most watched eSports show in the country.

Korea had two paths to the Season Two Championships; getting the highest results in the first two seasons of Azubu The Champions, and winning the regional event. After a 2nd Place in the first season of Azubu The Champions and 1st in the second, Azubu Frost emerged as Korea’s premier team. At the Regional final, second seed Najin Sword scored an upset victory over Azubu The Champions season one winner Azubu Blaze, securing their team a spot at the world championship.

Azubu Frost

When the twin Azubu teams Frost and Blaze were formed, Frost was considered the stronger of the two. After their loss to Blaze at the spring finals of Azubu The Champions and the departure of star player Locodoco, some thought the team was no longer a top contender. Frost quickly proved doubters wrong, winning over Counter Logic Gaming Europe in the finals 3-2. Like other Korean teams, Frost is known for their ultra-aggressive push strategies and lane swaps, taking outer turrets as rapidly as possible to force early teamfights and 4-player ganks. Their victories over other Korean teams, which many believe to be currently the most competitive region, as well as Europe’s CLG.eu, makes this team a favorite to win the tournament.

Min Sung “RapidStar” Jung
Position:AP Carry
Hometown: Seoul, Korea
The Champions Summer Stats
Champions Played:
Anivia: 30.76%
Karthus: 30.76%
Gragas: 23.07%
KDA: 6.12
Average Kills: 5.33
Average Deaths: 2.13
Average Assists: 7.73

Sang Myeon “Shy” Park
Position:Top Lane
Hometown:Andong, South Korea
The Champions Summer Stats
Champions Played:
Jax: 38.46%
Vladimir: 30.76%
Irelia: 15.38%
KDA: 3.77
Average Kills: 3.40
Average Deaths: 2.66
Average Assists: 6.66

Hyun Woo “CloudTemplar” Lee
Position:Jungler
Hometown:Sung-nam, Kungki Do, South Korea
The Champions Summer Stats
Champions Played:
Shen: 38.46%
Skarner: 30.76%
Maokai: 23.07%
KDA: 4.67
Average Kills: 1.80
Average Deaths: 2.46
Average Assists: 9.73

Gun Woong “Woong” Jang
Position:AD Carry
Hometown:Seoul, South Korea
The Champions Summer Stats
Champions Played:
Corki: 38.46%
Ezreal: 30.76%
Graves: 23.07%
KDA: 6.27
Average Kills: 4.46
Average Deaths: 1.93
Average Assists: 7.66

Min Gi “Mad Life” Hong
Position:Support
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
The Champions Summer Stats
Champions Played:
Blitzcrank: 23.07%
Janna: 23.07%
Taric: 15.38%
KDA: 5.58
Average Kills: 1.00
Average Deaths: 2.06
Average Assists: 10.53

Links to additional community coverage:
Azubu Exclusive Interview: Azubu Frost
ggChronicle’s Azubu Frost Preview

In2LOL’s Azubu Frost Preview

Najin Sword

Led by internationally known Maknoon, many wrote off NaJin Sword before the Korean Regionals as inevitably losing to Azubu Blaze. Blaze had defeated NaJin Sword earlier in the season, as well as 5-0’ing North America’s Team SoloMid in the MLG Summer Arena. After NaJin Sword defeated Xenic’s Storm in Round Two of the Korean Regionals, Sword was set to face top seeded Azubu Blaze. In a down-to-the-wire, 5 out of 5 match, NaJin Sword emerged victorious. Sword is known for building their team around Maknoon, considered by many to be the best top lane player in the world.

Sang Su “SSONG” Kim
Position:AP Carry
Hometown: Gyungido, South Korea
Regional Stats
Champions Played:
Karthus: 33.33%
Orianna: 16.66%
Ryze: 16.66%
KDA: 8.70
Average Kills: 4.90
Average Deaths: 2.90
Average Assists: 8.54

Ha Woon “MaKNooN” Yoon
Position:Top Lane
Hometown:Kwangju, South Korea
Regional Stats
Champions Played:
Jayce: 33.33%
Malphite: 25.00%
Irelia: 16.66%
KDA: 8.17
Average Kills: 4.63
Average Deaths: 2.45
Average Assists: 8.00

Jae Geol “Watch” Cho
Position:Jungler
Hometown:Busan, South Korea
Regional Stats
Champions Played:
Maokai: 41.66%
Skarner: 25.00%
Shyvana: 16.66%
KDA: 8.23
Average Kills: 1.72
Average Deaths: 2.27
Average Assists: 11.00

Jong In “Pray” Kim
Position:AD Carry
Hometown:Seoul, South Korea
Regional Stats
Champions Played:
Ezreal: 50.00%
Corki: 33.33%
Graves: 16.66%
KDA: 9.05
Average Kills: 6.18
Average Deaths: 1.72
Average Assists: 7.81

Nu Ri “Cain” Jang
Position:Support
Hometown: Gyungido, South Korea
Regional Stats
Champions Played:
Janna: 83.33%
Zyra: 8.33%
Leona: 8.33%
KDA: 8.88
Average Kills: 1.27
Average Deaths: 1.54
Average Assists: 12.45

Links to additional community coverage:
Azubu Exclusive Interview: NaJin e-mFire Sword
ggChronicle’s NaJin Sword Preview
in2LOL’s NaJin Sword Preview

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