LCK Cup 2026 Play-Ins Match Review: DNS Defeats Another Big Scalp

DN SOOPers pulled off an upset victory in the LCK Cup yesterday. They defeated KT Rolster 2-0, eliminating them from the competition. They had another step on the mountain as they faced Nongshim Redforce. It looked gloomy with the way the series started. However, they recovered and fought back to win successive games. DNS has now qualified for the LCK Cup Playoffs. NS has one more opportunity tomorrow against DRX in a best-of-five series.

LCK Cup 2026: Nongshim Redforce Versus DN SOOPers Match Review

Gwen from League of Legends played in the LCK — Image of Gwen, courtesy of Riot Games

Game One Draft

DN SOOPers – Blue Side

Rek’Sai
Jayce
Anivia
Corki
Nautilus

Nongshim Redforce – First Pick

Ambessa
Jarvan IV
Ryze
Yunara
Leona

Game One Summary

Peter overstays in the bot lane and dies to Taeyoon for the First Blood kill. The early game is explosive with a bot dive from NS. Scout earns two kills, while Taeyoon gets one. Scout flashes on Pyosik on the Cloud Soul Point fight. Sponge and Lehends follow up to secure the kill. Drake goes to NS, while DNS earns a kill on Scout.

NS reads the potential catch play from DNS. They have members in proximity to respond to play, earn four kills, and take down the Baron. DuDu kills Taeyoon on the Cloud Soul fight, but that is all DNS gets. NS secures the Cloud Soul and five kills. NS wins consecutive fights within a couple of minutes and ends the game.

Total Apex Ratings

Nongshim Redforce

Kingen – 8
Sponge – 9
Scout – 8
Taeyoon – 8
Lehends – 9

DN SOOPers

DuDu – 4
Pyosik – 3
Clozer – 4
deokdam – 5
Peter – 3

Game Two Draft

Nongshim Redforce – Blue Side

K’Sante
Vi
Akali
Lucian
Nami

DN SOOPers

Rumble
Wukong
Ahri
Xayah
Rakan

Game Two Summary

The early game is slow with some light trading. The first Drake fight features the first fight. Pyosik smites the Drakes, but NS earns three kills. DNS fights back after a failed bot lane dive from NS. NS recovers some of their lead with picks that lead to Towers. NS overextends in DNS’s jungle, and they crumble. DNS secures five kills and the Baron to earn their first lead of the series. NS tries to force DNS to the Baron. In the meantime, deokdam solos the Hextech Soul while DNS stalls them. Eventually, DNS takes the fight and evens up the LCK Cup series.

Total Apex Ratings

Nongshim Redforce

Kingen – 5
Sponge – 5
Scout – 6
Taeyoon – 4
Lehends – 6

DN SOOPers

DuDu – 9
Pyosik – 7
Clozer – 7
deokdam – 7
Peter – 7

Player of the game – DuDu

Game Three Draft

DN SOOPers – Blue Side

Gwen
Lee Sin
Orianna
Ezreal
Rell

Nongshim Redforce – First Pick

Sion
Xin Zhao
Azir
Kai’Sa
Alistar

Game Three Summary

Kingen takes Ignite on Sion and wins the level to earn the First Blood. He achieves a second solo kill when his Ignite comes back up. NS is late to two objectives in a row. On the Rift Herald, they decide to fight, and their engagement is mistimed. Peter’s response is significantly better. A dive from DNS on Scout earns the kill and a Tower for DuDu and gets him back into the game. DNS forces multiple NS members to back and takes a free Baron. DuDu takes over on DNS’s Baron siege. The fight is close until he snips through everyone.

NS turns the game around on the topside of the map. They have a gold lead, but it is not significant. For the second consecutive fight, NS wins with five kills and the Baron. NS struggles to close out the game. The third Baron fight is scrappy, with kills traded. DNS emerges on top to get the Baron and Infernal Soul. The game stalls until the next Baron. NS tries to force DuDu to the Baron, but they lose the fight, and DuDu pushes to the end.

Total Apex Ratings

Nongshim Redforce

Kingen – 8
Sponge – 5
Scout – 7
Taeyoon – 7
Lehends – 5

DN SOOPers

DuDu – 8
Pyosik – 7
Clozer – 6
deokdam – 7
Peter – 6

Player of the game – DuDu

Series Summary

DNS Beat NS 2-1 in the LCK Cup Play-Ins — Image of DNS beating NS, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

For the first one and a half games of the series, it looked dire for DNS. NS battered DNS in the first game as everything went their way. With NS looking like they could take the second game, they overextended. After one fight win, on the back of DuDu’s Rumble, DNS soared back into the series. The draft in the third game looked dire for DNS after DuDu died twice in the top matchup. The teams traded leads throughout until DNS managed to close out the LCK Cup series.

Total Apex Series Ratings

Nongshim Redforce