LCK Cup 2026 Hanwha Life Esports Review: Defending Champions Struggle To Lift Off

Hanwha Life Esports finished last in the LCK Cup. After winning last year’s edition, they failed to deliver this year. Despite losing Peanut and Viper, they had worthy replacements. Kanavi and Gumayusi stepped into Peanut and Viper’s shoes. That fact meant fans expected another LCK Cup. However, that would not be the case. They did not have the worst record in the tournament, but were in the losing group in the Group Battle.

Hanhwa Life Esports LCK Cup Results

HLE played five series during the LCK Cup. They won two and lost three. At the end of the Group Battle, they won five games and lost nine.

Lost 2-1 Versus T1
Lost 2-0 Versus Nongshim Redforce
Won 2-1 Versus HANJIN BRION
Won 2-1 Versus DN SOOPers
Lost 3-0, Versus Gen.G Esports

Hanwha Life Esports Player Review

Gumayusi signing for Hanwha Life Esports in the LCK — Image of Gumayusi signing, courtesy of Hanwha Life Esports

Zeus

Total Apex Rating – 5.7 (8th among top laners, tied 33rd among players)
Champions Played
- Gnar (2)
- Renekton (2)
- Rumble (2)
- Sion (2)
- Ambessa
- Aurora
- Gwen
- K’Sante
- Rek’Sai

Zeus was one of the more consistent players on HLE. Even then, he struggled to match up to the other top laners in the LCK Cup.

Kanavi

Total Apex Rating – 5.1 (10th among junglers, 46th among players)
Champions Played
- Jarvan IV (3)
- Vi (3)
- Xin Zhao (3)
- Aatrox (2)
- Trundle (2)
- Wukong

Kanavi had a difficult start to his LCK Cup campaign. He showed consistent aggression, but lacked the coordination with his team to make it work.

Zeka

Total Apex Rating – 5.8 (8th among mid laners, tied 30th among players)
Champions Played
- Azir (5)
- Ryze (3)
- Aurora (2)
- Taliyah (2)
- Akali
- Orianna

Zeka had moments of brilliance in the LCK Cup, but other than that, he was in the background. The current mid meta does not suit his playstyle.

Gumayusi

Total Apex Rating – 5.6 (7th among bot laners, 37th among players)
Champions Played
- Corki (3)
- Varus (3)
- Sivir (2)
- Ziggs (2)
- Aphelios
- Jhin
- Miss Fortune
- Yunara

Stepping out of the T1 spotlight, Gumayusi had a point to prove. However, the LCK Cup was not the debut he would have wanted. He had some of his weakest performances since joining the LCK.

Delight

Total Apex Rating – 5.0 (8th among supports, tied 47th among players)
Champions Played
- Rakan (4)
- Alistar (3)
- Nautilus (2)
- Bard
- Braum
- Lulu
- Poppy
- Rell

A player who felt the roster changes more than anyone. He had to adjust to a new jungler and ADC. As a result, his form declined, and he struggled with coordinating with both players.

LCK Cup Review

GenG Beat HLE 3-0 in the LCK Cup — Image of Gen.G Beating HLE, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

Considering Hanwha Life Esports as the worst team in the LCK Cup is a fool’s errand. They may have finished last in the tournament, but they showed better performances than some of the teams during the Group Battle. Their wins against HANJION BRION and DN SOOpers proved they are better than those teams. If they had more time, maybe they could have steadied the ship. They might have been able to run through the Play-Ins and Playoffs to challenge Gen.G. However, they did not get that chance.

You can blame the format all you want for HLE’s position in the LCK Cup. However, as the number one team in Group Elder, they should have delivered. Losing to T1 and Gen.G is not that disappointing. The fact that they lost 2-0 to Nongshim Redforce and then 3-0 to Gen.G has left fans perplexed. They had qualifications in their hands, but threw them away on multiple occasions. Even one game loss fewer against DNS and BRO would have given them a chance.

Author

Devin Morris

I am a gaming fanatic from little old South Africa. I have had a passion for gaming and writing from a young age. My early favorites were Age of Empires, FIFA and Need for Speed games. As I grew older I moved into more competitive gaming, focusing on Overwatch, League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics. I also sink way too many hours into Destiny 2!