LCK Cup 2026 Play-In Match Review: BRO Eliminated After Consecutive Defeats

DRX and HANJIN BRION faced off during the LCK Cup Super Week. Now they play against each other in the first round of the Play-Ins. The winner will progress to Round 2 of the Play-Ins, while the loser is out of the LCK Cup. DRX, once again, triumphed over BRO to advance to Round 2. As a result, BRO exits the LCK Cup without earning a series victory. They will return to the LCK in April.

LCK Cup 2026: DRX Versus HANJIN BRION Match Review

Sona from League of Legends Played in the LCK — Image of Sona, courtesy of Riot Games

Game One Draft

HANJIN BRION – Blue Side

Rumble
Pantheon
Ryze
Corki
Alistar

DRX – First Pick

Ambessa
Xin Zhao
Orianna
Yunara
Nautilus

Game One Summary

The first skirmish of the game goes in favor of DRX. They earn the First Blood kill and three additional kills. In turn, they only lose Andil. The fights go from bad to worse for BRO. They lose at every turn and are behind almost 8k hold at 18 minutes. BRO tries to force a fight at 20 minutes, with a player advantage, but they lose. DRX moves towards the Baron to build an 11k gold lead. DRX cleans up another fight, this time in BRO’s base, and ends the game.

Total Apex Ratings

DRX

Rich – 7
Willer – 8
Ucal – 8
Jiwoo – 7
Andil – 8

HANJIN BRION

Casting – 4
GIDEON – 4
Roamer – 5
Teddy – 5
Namgung – 4

Game Two Draft

DRX – Blue Side

Gwen
Jarvan IV
Azir
Xayah
Rakan

HANJIN BRION – Second Pick

Aurora
Vi
Taliyah
Ezreal
Elise

Game Two Summary

Namgung dies for the First Blood when he is looking for vision. With BRO playing a mid-game composition, they need to stack Drakes and win team fights. They are unable to build a significant gold lead until the fourth Drake. It seems like DRX is winning until Teddy takes down three DRX members. He secures them the Drake and a gold lead. BRO takes down Rich in the bot lane, but it takes too long. DRX rushes the Baron and escapes. DRX earns a second Baron, but it does not matter. BRO wins their Chemtech Soul fight with a 5-0 ace and ends the game.

Total Apex Ratings

DRX

Rich – 6
Willer – 5
Ucal – 4
Jiwoo – 6
Andil – 5

HANJIN BRION

Casting – 7
GIDEON – 6
Roamer – 5
Teddy – 8
Namgung – 6

Player of the game – Teddy

Game Three Draft

HANJIN BRION – Blue Side

Aatrox
Wukong
Cassiopeia
Aphelios
Lulu

DRX – First Pick

K’Sante
Zaahen
Galio
Lucian
Sona

Game Three Summary

The two Bot lanes fight to the death at level one. All summoners, besides Namgung’s Flash, are burned. Willer shows up at level three for an early gank on Teddy to earn the First Blood. Both teams trade kills, but most of the gold goes over to Jiwoo. DRX secured three Drakes in a row to force BRO into fighting future Drakes. DRX dominates the Infernal Soul fight and starts to break open the game. Chaos ensues in the following fights as DRX continues to force the Baron. DRX always looks for the turn, and they eventually win to end the game and the series.

Total Apex Ratings

DRX

Rich – 7
Willer – 7
Ucal – 7
Jiwoo – 8
Andil – 8

HANJIN BRION

Casting – 5
GIDEON – 5
Roamer – 5
Teddy – 4
Namgung – 4

Player of the game – Jiwoo

Series Summary

DRX Beat BRO 2-1 in the LCK Cup Play-Ins — Image of DRX Beating BRO in the Play-Ins, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

DRX came out swinging in the first game of the series. BRO never had a chance, and DRX surged ahead. Thanks to Teddy’s heroics, BRO had a lead in the second game of the series. In the final fight, Casting stepped up to tie up the series for BRO. Game three was close for a while, but DRX had a Drake advantage. After forcing BRO out of the Infernal Soul, DRX took control of the game and ended the series. The loss means BRO is out of contention and exits without a single series victory.

Total Apex Series Ratings

DRX