LCK Cup 2026 Nongshim Redforce Review: Super Team Failing to Deliver
Nongshim Redforce fell at the end of the LCK last year. They went from the fourth-best team during the Regular Season to 7th in the postseason. Heading into the LCK Cup, they brought in Scout and Taeyoon from the LPL. Neither could leave their mark on the tournament. After a promising Group Battle, they crashed out in the Play-In, losing to DN SOOPers and DRX, finishing 7th.
Nongshim Redforce LCK Cup Results
Nongshim Redforce only managed two series victories out of their seven series played. One of those wins came against Hanwha Life Esports. In the LCK Cup, NS won eight games and lost thirteen.
- Lost 2-0 Versus FearX
- Won 2-0 Versus Hanwha Life Esports
- Lost 2-1 Versus Dplus KIA
- Lost 2-1 Versus DRX
- Won 3-2 Versus Nongshim Redforce
- Lost 2-1 Versus DN SOOPers
- Lost 3-0 Versus DRX
Nongshim Redforce Player Review
Kingen
- Total Apex Rating – 6.3 (4th among top laners, tied 11th among players)
- Champions Played
- Sion (4)
- Ambessa (3)
- Renekton (3)
- Gnar (2)
- K’Sante (2)
- Aatrox
- Gragas
- Gwen
- Olaf
- Rumble
Kingen was the shining light for NS during the LCK Cup. He secured multiple gold leads while in isolation. However, the team often played away from him or took fights where he could join. He was by far the best player on the roster.
Sponge
- Total Apex Rating – 5.4 (9th among junglers, tied 38th among players)
- Champions Played
- Jarvan IV (4)
- Malphite (3)
- Pantheon (3)
- Xin Zhao (3)
- Jayce (2)
- Vi (2)
- Wukong (2)
- Nocturne
- Trundle
Sponge had his first opportunity out of DRX. He was unable to translate that into success in the LCK Cup. He had some performances that helped NS, but they were few and far between.
Scout
- Total Apex Rating – 6.0 (7th among mid-laners, tied 24th among players)
- Champions Played
- Taliyah (5)
- Orianna (4)
- Aurora (3)
- Akali (2)
- Azir (2)
- Ryze (2)
- Galio
- Viktor
- Yone
Scout returned to the LCK for the first time since 2016. That followed a tumultuous season in the LPL for JD Gaming. He showed signs of improvement in the LCK Cup, but he was not consistent. Elements of his performance from the LPL last year emerged on numerous occasions.
Taeyoon
- Total Apex Rating – 5.0 (10th among bot laners, tied 47th among players)
- Champions Played
- Yunara (5)
- Kalista (3)
- Caitlyn (2)
- Ezreal (2)
- Kai’Sa (2)
- Lucian (2)
- Varus (2)
- Aphelios
- Corki
- Jinx
Taeyoon is notorious for performing in the LPL but struggling in the LCK. He continued that trend in the LCK Cup. He had fleeting moments throughout, but nothing substantial. In an AD carry-focused meta, his performances did not give NS much chance in the LCK Cup.
Lehends
- Total Apex Rating – 5.3 (tied 6th among supports, tied 42nd among players)
- Champions Played
- Renata Glasc (4)
- Alistar (3)
- Leona (3)
- Neeko (3)
- Braum (2)
- Karma
- Lulu
- Nami
- Nautilus
- Tahm Kench
Lehends was a significant part of NS’s success last year. He led the team through his communication and dominant performances. However, he tailed off later in the year. Those struggles continued in the LCK Cup. Much like Taeyoon, he had fleeting moments, but for the most part struggled to make an impact.
LCK Cup Review
NS had an inconsistent time during the LCK Cup. They started with a loss to FearX, but followed that up with a dominant win over Hanwha Life Esports. Their victory over KT Rolster encapsulated their performance. They surged to a 2-0 lead, but found themselves needing to prevent a reverse sweep in the blink of an eye. Their final series against DRX was disappointing. They collapsed during the series, falling 3-0. Many expected them to win, but losing in that fashion raised concerns for the rest of the season. So far, the risk on Scout and Taeyoon has not paid off.
More LCK Articles
To see last week’s LCK Cup recap and more, check out the articles below.
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