No Second Dance: Deft, Last of the DRX Dream Team, eliminated from Worlds 2023

Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu has been eliminated from Worlds 2023. The reigning champion has failed to defend his crown. His team’s (Dplus KIA) elimination from Worlds 2023 also marks the final token of resistance from Worlds 2022’s champions - DRX. The championship-winning roster had gone their separate ways shortly after lifting the Summoner’s Cup. By Worlds 2023, only 2 of the original 5 was in attendance.

And Your Reward for Victory…

Following DRX’s victory and lifting of the Summoner’s Cup at the end of Worlds 2022, the organization announced the expiration of contracts for the entire roster. Naturally this came as a shock for many. Most believed that such a level of success as achieved with this core 5, would almost assuredly pressure DRX into extending their grip on these players.

Moreover, looking from the perspective of the players, it made sense that they would prefer sticking together as well. However, shortly after the official report was released, other reports began surfacing that while DRX was looking to renew the contracts, not all of the core had been on board. Moreover, the reports also indicated that DRX had been looking to offer less than the players were willing to accept, leading to a decline in the negotiations.

Heroes of Yesterday, Forgotten by Tomorrow

The first to part ways was the duo of Hwang “Kingen” Seong-hoon and Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo. Both players had initially been reported to be in talks with DRX, however had backed out to ‘test their market value.’

One of the bigger benefits from winning the most prestigious League of Legends event of the year, is the massive inflated value that becomes temporarily associated with each winning player’s brand. It does not hurt as well that immediately following Worlds is the off-season and player break, leading to massive market demand, and bigger leverage on the part of the players who win Worlds.

Both “Kingen” and “Zeka” ended up on the revamped Hanwha Life roster. In Spring, they finished 5th in the regular season, and 4th in Playoffs. In the Summer, they ended 3rd in the regular season, and 4th again in the Summer Playoffs. Heading into the Regional Finals, they faced an old teammate in “Deft.” Hanwha finished 3rd in the regional finals and fifth overall in the LCK rankings.

Because the LCK only sends the top 4 to Worlds, both “Zeka” and “Kingen” never made it back to Worlds to defend their crown.

The Kingmaker

Cho “Beryl” Geon-Hee was the Support who led two different rosters to Worlds championships. Because of this, and because of his unflappable, cavalier approach to the Support role, some have dubbed him the kingmaker. Regardless of who his ADC is, or the quality of the rest of his team, “Beryl” always seemed to acclimate and deliver.

Aside from the monster genius Ryu “Keria” Min-seok, no other Support at Worlds 2022 had played as many different champions as he. “Beryl” was the only member of the five to remain with DRX post-Worlds 2022. DRX finished 9th in Spring, 6th in Summer, 6th in Summer Playoffs, and 4th in the Regional Finals.

The Champion Korea Refused

At the end of 2022, in the aftermath of the Worlds tournament, negotiations were breaking down between DRX and the roster at the time. Of the five, Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon was undeniably low on the list of assets. He had performed admirably well, but he was by no means a top tier prospect.

When the roster broke down and everyone went their separate ways, “Pyosik” found that there was no room on the LCK teams for a jungler. It meant that despite winning, if he wanted to continue his career, he would have to cross the ocean to NA, where Team Liquid awaited with an offer.

Fast forward to Worlds 2023, Liquid was the first casualty of the Swiss Stage. “Pyosik” had managed to return to the scene of his greatest career triumph, but failed to recapture the magic.

The People’s Champion

When fans think of Worlds 2022, they think of “Deft.” The story of the plucky underdog who triumphed over adversity. At the end of 2022, when the DRX roster was slowly disintegrating, “Deft” himself elected to make the move. He joined DAMWON KIA (now known as Dplus KIA).

DAMWON actually had a fairly remarkable year. Although, when you see the names on this roster, it becomes slightly less surprising. They began with a 4th placing in the Spring regular season, 5th in the Playoffs, 4th in Summer regular, and th in Summer Playoffs. Then, they placed 2nd in the Regional Finals, just behind KT Rolster.

That’s when the year became a little more spotty. Losses to KT Rolster and G2 found Dplus 0-2 in the Swiss Stage and facing elimination. Then, they faced BDS. And won. GAM was next. Dplus won again. Just when it looked like “Deft” was about to cheat elimination once more, Dplus came face-to-face with a rematch with KT Rolster.

Conclusion

Overall, it was not a terrible year for any of the five who won last year’s Worlds. Three of them were a win or two shy of making Worlds themselves. Two of them did. However, it does show that the magic of last year’s run was simply that - magic. Unexplainable collection of triumphs, happenstance, and willpower years in the making. Every alpaca has their day, but they do not often get two that are that good.

Credit: GODS // LoL Esports

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