In the second semi-final of the LoL World Championship 2022, DRX went against all odds to defeat General G 3-1. As a team that was 0-13 against Gen.G this year, DRX’s win was nothing short of a surprise. They now head to San Francisco, where they will face T1 in the tournament final.
The following is Hwang “Kingen” Seong-hoon and Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee’s post-match interview.
How do you feel about going to your first Worlds final?
King : Before sharing my feelings on the victory, I would like to express my condolences to all the victims and their families of the tragic incident in Itaewon two days ago. I hope that the victims all rest in peace and that their families can also find peace.
In every game we played, we felt the weight of the games, but we always played with the mindset of having nothing to lose. That mindset also helped us play well today.
BeryL, how do you feel about reaching your third consecutive World Cup final?
Beryl: I’m thrilled to have the same tied record in reaching the Worlds final back-to-back as legendary players like Faker, Bang and Wolf.
A lot of people were expecting Gen.G to take the win, but DRX was able to pull off the reverse sweep after dropping Game 1. Prior to today, DRX had gone on a 13-game losing streak against Gen.G .
King : Our journey has been magical and has led to trust, teamwork and a closer bond between our teammates. For this reason, the negative win rate did not put pressure on us.
Although DRX dropped Game 1, many fans cheered for DRX. How did you feel when you heard those “Let’s go DRX!” chants of the crowd?
Beryl: I was focused on our game plan for Game 2 so honestly I couldn’t tell if they were cheering us on or not. Now that I know, I would have felt really good if I had been conscious at the time.
DRX’s top team performed much better than Gen.G’s this game. How were you able to get your form back for the semi-finals?
King : The faith the team had in reaching greater heights was so strong that the winning mentality of enjoying the moment worked wonders for us. I think that’s why my performance was great. Our bot lane experience leading our top team, along with our coaching staff with excellent leadership, has synergized to form a closer bond within the team.
Beryl: Our recent practice didn’t go so well, but once we hit the stage, we all trust each other to hold our own. Our regular summer split didn’t go so well, and going through all the hardships has gotten us to this point. Even if we lose in the final, we are still the second best in the world, so either way I will be very happy.
There’s a lot of narrative behind Deft. As the person who worked with him closest, can you share some of his journey? Is there anything you would like to tell him?
Beryl: I’m sure it’s the same for all players, but Deft is incredibly hungry to win. People say it’s “Last Dance” from Deft, and the dance should last until the end. I think we filled about 95% of his ‘Last Dance’.
King : Deft is someone I learn a lot from. As he’s said in interviews, rather than clinging to results, living in the moment is what’s important. Doing a lot of those moments is what’s fun and enjoyable. It’s such a cool mindset. We couldn’t have gotten this far without Deft, and I really want to help him bring this trophy home.
From the first LCK Derby in five years to the Mapo High School game [Deft vs Faker], there’s a lot of narrative behind this year’s finale. In what state of mind are you approaching the final?
King : I believe our team has gone through thick and thin to achieve the impossible. I will also prove it in the final phase. We will make sure to play hard and have fun until the end.
Beryl: In the end, T1 is the final boss. They looked really strong against JDG. However, it is the underdog teams that have won the trophy in other recent AOS tournaments; as outsiders, we will also ensure that we successfully complete this last step.
#DRX #BeryL #achieved #Defts #Dance