Jojopyun on representing Movistar KOI: "It feels like every game is important because there's so many people that care so much about our matches."

"I think, after Caps, there's not a mid laner that's, like, insane."

After adding Joseph "Jojopyun" Pyun to the team to mark the first time a North American player makes the move over to the LEC, Movistar KOI have launched off to a terrific start in the LEC 2025 Winter Split.

With a 5-1 record, the Spanish squad find themselves sharing to top spot in the league with Karmine Corp and Fnatic. Now that the team is already qualified for playoffs, the MKOI squad are focused in taking home the first LEC trophy of the year.

Following MKOI's flawless run in Week 2, Strafe Esports had the chance to talk to the team's new import Jojopyun for an exclusive interview in which the North American star discussed other mid laners in the LEC, Fearless Draft, and what it's like to play in Europe.

Jojopyun and the rest of Movistar KOI continue to rack up the wins in the LEC 2025 Winter Split. (Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games)

*The following interview has been edited slightly for clarity and length.

[Strafe] Movistar KOI has set off to a very strong start in the LEC. I want to start by asking you what you think has been the biggest factor behind the team's early success.

"I think four of the same players being on the same team is a big part of it because they already know each other very well. The bond is there. The gameplay synergy is there. All of that. So, I think that's a good start.

And then I think me coming in also helped a lot because they have really good habits, but also bad habits. That's easier for me to see since I'm new to the team, so I'm not biased. I think we just talked about the bad habits we're making, and how to be more versatile and play much more, I guess, less obvious to other teams. So, I would say that's probably the biggest.

But I would say the fundamentals are strong right now, which is most important because it's only the beginning of the year. So, if you have good fundamentals right now, then you're going to win most games."

[Strafe] Who on the team would you say has influenced you the most now in terms of improving your gameplay or helping you adapt to the LEC?

"I mean, I would say it has mostly been myself. I think I just came in very motivated and driven. Obviously, all my teammates have that same motivation and passion, so them having that also makes it much more easier to be passionate and motivated and have that drive, too.

And the coaches, too. I think the whole team is just really committed to this project and the team this year. So, it's not hard to really be driven. But I would say I come from the whole team and just myself."

[Strafe] The European League of Legends community has some very passionate fanbases. How would you say your reception has been after becoming the first North American player to play in the LEC?

"Yeah, I mean, to me, I love it a lot because I feel like Europe, especially KOI and KC (Karmine Corp), like the, I guess country type of teams, are the teams that have that strong fanbase. It's very exciting and very fun because, you know, they're so passionate. It feels like every game is important because there's so many people that care so much about our matches.

In NA, it was the same, too. But I feel like there's a lot more in Europe, for sure. And I really like that because that makes the games much more fun to play. So, that's been definitely one of the most enjoyable things about playing in Europe."

[Strafe] You're a long way from Los Angeles now. Do you find any differences in the routine of a League pro player in Europe compared to how you did things in North America?

"I think the biggest difference is definitely just that the games start so late in the LEC, like it's the last game and it's like 10 p.m. In NA, the last game is like usually 5 p.m. So, just the time difference is probably the biggest.

I'm not used to playing this late, so it's very different, I would say. But besides that, there's not that much difference. Like, we're playing on a stage, there's fans and we're playing against other LEC teams. In NA, against other LCS teams, I wouldn't say there's too big of a difference. The biggest, probably just the time difference, yeah."

[Strafe] You already spoke on stage recently about how LEC teams compare to the LCS teams, but I want to ask you about the mid lane specifically. How would you compare mid laners in the LEC to the ones you've had to face off against in the LCS?

"I think, after Caps, there's not a mid laner that's, like, insane. But same as NA, there wasn't a mid laner that was like insane, but I thought Quad and APA were really good. Quid was really good in lane.

I feel like, yeah, the mid gap is not that much different in NA and EU. I feel like, I think Caps is good, but him right now has also not been playing in his prime or his best form right now. But I can still tell he's a very good player. The best mid in the West, for sure. I guess macro-wise and then just mid game. But yeah, I would say the mid comparison is not too big."

[Strafe] Speaking of Caps, you're finally going to get to face off against him on stage this Sunday. That’s going to be the moment that a lot of the fans have been waiting for. How do you expect that lane to go?

"I mean, honestly, these days I haven't been paying too much attention to my laning phase because I feel like my laning has been my strength. And then I wanted to focus on my weaknesses much more.

So, these days, especially in Europe, I'm focusing much more on out of lane stuff. So, I mean, even versus G2, I don't, I'm not coming to the game like, ‘Oh, I have to shit on Caps in lane or try like getting a solo kill,’ or all this stuff. I just try playing the game, with strong fundamentals. The team has strong fundamentals so that we just win. And I think it's been working really well right now.

So, I mean, obviously it'll be nice if like the lane is very good and all this, but I don't think, especially this season and this patch, laning matters that much. Unless like, it's like a really big gap or somebody messes up really hard. So, I'm going to try my hardest to win the game. And if I win lane in whatever matchup that's supposed to be played, then that's also a bonus."

Can Caps defend the LEC from Jojo's invasion? (Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games)

[Strafe] Your team is already locked for playoffs, which are going to use Fearless Draft. Now, you have actually played six different champions over your first six games in the LEC, so I don't think Fearless is going to be much of a problem for you. But your entire team, really, has a pretty wide champion pool. So, do you expect Fearless Draft to be an advantage for you guys?

"Yeah, I mean, I expect Fearless to be an advantage for us because I think there's no players that really have champion limitations on this team. And it's just fun. So I'm really going to enjoy it for sure."

[Strafe] Naturally, you're focused on Split 1 at the moment. But I'm curious, do you have aspirations to stay in Europe long term? Or do you plan to go back to NA at some point in your career?

"Yeah, I thought about it in the offseason. But right now, I'm not really thinking too much about it because I'm just focusing on now and the present and whatever will happen. So, I haven't thought too much about what's going to happen in two years or three years.

I just know that if I try my hardest and try making the team as good as possible, making me as good as possible, then it'll be much easier what I want to do in a couple of years. So, right now, I haven't really thought about it too much."

[Strafe] To wrap things up, I just want to ask you if you have had a chance to play Mel yet, and what are your thoughts on the champion?

"No, I haven't. I mean, I versed Mel once in Solo Queue. Like, nobody banned it. It was the most crazy champ ever. So I just banned it after that every single game because it's nuts.

I can't play it on stage right now. So, there's no point just versing that. That's whatever, I don't even know what that thing is, but it's just crazy. So yeah, I haven't played any, no."

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Image source: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

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