Summary:
- Gen.G has guaranteed their position at MSI 2025 with a flawless 19-0 series record during LCK Road to MSI.
- With their win over Hanwha Life Esports in the best-of-five upper bracket final, Gen.G receives the first MSI seed.
- Ruler was named series MVP for the final, and Kiin hit a milestone of 3,500 assists.
MSI 2025 just got a whole lot crazier, and Gen.G is putting on a wild run. 19-0 in series during the LCK Road to MSI? That’s just how they show everyone how to earn their way onto the international stage. There is still another LCK spot up for grabs. It’s not over yet, but Gen.G has solidified LCK representation at MSI.
LCK’s Grueling Qualification Format
In the 2025 LCK season, only the top six teams are going to get into this mini-tournament. And this serves as a sort of playoff for the region to determine its two representatives for MSI 2025.
The structure will be a hybrid double-elimination bracket, and all matches will be best-of-five matches. The top two teams get a huge benefit by starting in the upper bracket, and the winner simply qualifies for the 1st MSI spot outright. The next remaining four teams continue to fight for the remaining spots by playing a “King of the Hill” style lower bracket gauntlet. Here, the 5th and 6th-seed teams face off first. And then the winner advances to face off against the higher-seeded teams one at a time.
Gen.G vs. Hanwha Life Esports Showdown
Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports faced off on June 13 in the LCK 2025 Road to MSI. And for a best-of-five format, it was quite a match! Gen.G had a dominant reputation with their 18-0 regular season. However, the series started with quite a twist as Hanwha Life Esports took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. In game 3, Gen.G bounced back, with more strategy and individual talent to tie the series up.
The series saw both teams trade wins, with Gen.G maintaining its consistency in teamwork and clutch performances. The decisive fifth game, saw Gen.G take back control of the game and win the series. The comeback completed by Gen.G for the 3-2 series win secured their place as LCK’s top seed going into MSI 2025, confirming Gen.G’s place as the stronger side from the league.
Ruler was the series MVP with an average damage of 30,7k. Meanwhile, Kiin reached a milestone of his own, becoming the 17th player in LCK history to reach 3,500 assists. The best of five series showcased the intense rivalry and high level of skill in the LCK. Hanwha Life Esports might have come up short. However, they proved they can truly challenge Gen.G, having bested them 3-2 in the LCK Cup 2025 Final.
The Ongoing Battle for the Second LCK MSI Spot
Gen.G is already guaranteed the first seed after a hard-fought win over Hanwha Life Esports in the upper bracket. Now, it’s time to turn our attention to the gauntlet-style lower bracket. The next battle for the second LCK MSI spot is going to come down to the wire between T1 and Hanwha Life Esports. This is after T1 was able to get the better of KT Rolster, 3-1. Now, they will eventually head to the finals against HLE for the final qualification spot.
Despite losing to Gen.G, Hanwha Life can still qualify as they await T1 in their next match. T1 and Hanwha Life will meet in a best-of-five series to decide who gets the second seed for MSI 2025. T1 will be riding a wave of momentum from their win against KT Rolster. But HLE, while it was disappointing to go down to Gen.G, were still battling. And like any other team, they undoubtedly want to claim the second seed and put their best foot forward internationally.
Conclusion
Gen.G has proved they know how to dominate the LCK and secure a clear shot at MSI 2025. And now, they have made it extremely hard for any team to eclipse them in the LCK. Gen.G has had an incredible ride so far, and everybody is hoping they can take that energy all the way through the international stage.
