원주의 뜨거운 함성, 한화생명e스포츠의 새로운 시대가 열리다 > K-wave Trends

The star of this selection was definitely Hanwha Life Esports. Hanwha Life Insurance, which won 3-1 against T1 in a 3rd round match that had the same weight as the finals, advanced to the MSI stage, which it had never been to since its inception, with the glorious title of 1 seed. While a fierce battle continued from the first set, Hanwha Life Insurance showed off T1's resistance by demonstrating precision in game management and concentration in the second half. In particular, Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok's sharp Lee Shin play in the 3rd set and Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo's Yone, which showed monstrous growth in the 4th set, were perfect scenes that proved why Hanwha Life Insurance currently has the best power in the LCK. Their fighting spirit, which overcame the painful memory of being eliminated from last year's selection round, resonated deeply with fans.

The actions of Wonju City, the host city of the competition, also made this competition even more special. Wonju City joined hands with Riot Games to transform the Chiak Gymnasium area into a complex cultural space rather than just a stadium. Stamp tours linked to major tourist attractions in Wonju, such as Sogeumsan Grand Valley and Museumsan, provided visitors with more enjoyment than just watching the game, and receipt events to stimulate consumption in the region created a virtuous cycle in which e-sports fans substantially contributed to the local economy. In addition, Wonju City's cutting-edge K-drone delivery service, generative AI administrative education, and innovative administrative services such as local tax refunds served as a catalyst for promoting the image of Wonju as a smart city both at home and abroad through this competition.

With Hanwha Life Insurance securing the 1st seed, attention is now turning to the final stage, which will open at the Daejeon Convention Center on the 28th. Unfortunately, T1 missed out on the 1st seed, but their journey did not stop as there was still an opportunity to play for the 2nd seed. The winner of the 2-seed match to be held on the 14th will receive the last remaining international ticket, meaning that the final lineup that will take the LCK's pride on the world stage is completed. Daejeon City will continue this enthusiasm and hold a large-scale '2026 MSI Fan Festa' at Hanbit Square in Expo Science Park starting in early July. The media façade that will decorate Hanbit Tower, the theme zone that recreates the LoL worldview, and the meeting with cosplay players are all set to turn Daejeon into a mecca for e-sports.

This tournament will be remembered as an example of how the LCK's athletic performance and community infrastructure can be combined. In particular, the Fan Festa planned by Riot Games goes beyond simple game broadcasts and provides fans with an in-depth experience by providing a special space to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the players and a communication channel with the development team. Goods featuring Daejeon City's mascot Kumdori wearing a Teemo hat are raising fans' expectations, heralding a successful combination of local characters and global IP. This series of processes clearly shows how the powerful ripple effect of e-sports can enrich the content of local festivals and how it leads to city branding.