Young Dragons: Zeka and Kingen poised to join Hanwha Life Esports for LCK 2023 season

Champions on the move

Reports from Blix.gg reporter Alejandro Gomis have indicated that Hwang “Kingen” Seong-hoon and Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo are slated to join Hanwha Life Esports for the upcoming season. As part of the legendary DRX run at Worlds 2022, the reigning Worlds Champions have had a pick of the litter in terms of team options.

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Earlier this week, it was reported by The Strafe that DRX had announced the Free Agency of all five of their roster members. This included “Zeka” and “Kingen,” who were some of the most sough-after players on the market following their Worlds performance. “Kingen” won the MVP award for Worlds, however, “Zeka” had a breakout performance. One of the players who came into Worlds with little expectations placed on them, overnight he became one of League’s hottest commodities.

DRX defeated T1 in the finals of Worlds in 3-2 unforgettable fashion. Their journey throughout Worlds was nothing short of inspiring, and one for the history books.

 

World Beaters

With the addition of “Zeka” and “Kingen,” Hanwha Life are beginning to look especially dangerous in the off-season. With the main competition carried over from the previous season in the form of Gen.G and T1, this new squad looks likely to compete with the best.

Hanwha Life have already confirmed the signing of Park “Viper” Do-hyeon as the new AD Carry. The former Worlds winner recently departed Edward Gaming following a heartbreaking reverse sweep loss to eventual champions DRX.

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The previous year has seen four strong South Korean contenders: T1, Gen.G, DAMWON KIA, and DRX. With the present departure of DRX following the exodus of their roster members, Hanwha Life looks to be the newcomer to the upper echelons.

There have also been rumors regarding former Edward Gaming teammate Lee “Scout” Ye-chan’s addition to the Hanwha Life roster as well. However, with new developments indicating “Zeka” as the new signing, it seems unlikely for “Scout” to join as well, unless a role swap seems imminent for one of the two.

 

From Bottom to Top

Hanwha Life’s full revamp of their roster should come as no surprise. One of the largest insurance companies in South Korea, they have decided to invest a lot more in their 2023 roster. Having finishes dead last in both splits in 2022, they have now assembled a superteam.

 

[25th Nov UPDATE]

Hanwha Life have now announced the addition of Kim “Life” Jeong-min and Kim “Clid” Tae-min to their roster. “Clid” sees a return to the LCK after a year in the LPL in FunPlus Phoenix. Most notably, he played under SK Telecom from 2018 to 2019. During his time on the roster, they won both Spring and Summer Playoffs in 2019.

“Life” has transferred over from KT Rolster as well, with the roster having had middling results in 2022. In the LCK Regional Finals, KT Rolster fell to eventual tournament champions DRX 2-3. “Clid” and “Life” reunite as well, as the pair were on the Gen.G roster of 2020 and 2021.

Hanwha has also confirmed the joining of "Kingen" and "Zeka" to their roster.

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As it stands, Hanwha Life Esports’ roster currently looks as such:

• Lee “DuDu” Dong-ju (sub top?)
• Hwang “Kingen” Seong-hoon (top)
• Kim “Clid” Tae-min (jungle)
• Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo (mid)
• Park “Viper” Do-hyeon (AD Carry)
• Kim “Life” Jeong-min (support)

Image credit: Lance Skundrich/Riot Games