Reflecting on a Bittersweet Victory: Gen.G Head Coach Ryu’s Thoughts on Winning 1st Place but Falling Short in the Final Match

by John Garrett
0 comments

Gen.G suffered a 1-2 defeat against Dplus KIA in the final Round 4 match of the 2026 LoL Champions Korea (LCK), which took place at Chzzk LoL Park in Jonggak on August 22. The competition between the two teams was intense, with DK showing strong resilience even when Gen.G had a significant lead in some games. Despite the loss, Gen.G managed to secure first place in the regular season, maintaining their position at the top for three consecutive years.

Below is the complete interview with Gen.G Head Coach Ryu “Yoo Sang-wook” and Kim “Kiin” Gi-in.

리그 오브 레전드 League of Legend : Clash of Fates
©INVEN

Q. How do you assess the match after the disappointing 1-2 loss to DK?

Head Coach Ryu: It’s disappointing not to end on a high note with a victory today.

Kiin: While securing first place is a positive, the outcome of today’s match is disappointing.

Q. Despite the loss, how do you feel about clinching first place in the regular season?

Head Coach Ryu: We faced challenges early on, but I’m pleased that we ultimately secured the top spot. The journey itself was not without its merits.

Kiin: Our performance in Rounds 3 and 4 may not have met our expectations, but we showed improvement over time.

Q. Despite holding a significant lead early on, the opponent’s tenacity and strategies remained sharp.

Head Coach Ryu: There were errors in each set today. We will review and discuss those aspects thoroughly.

Q. DK’s progress has been impressive. What challenges did you encounter?

Head Coach Ryu: As a team, their tactical strengths—whether in offense or defense—appear to be formidable.

Q. What sets apart the previous Gen.G from the current Gen.G, despite claiming first place?

Head Coach Ryu: It could be due to my own limitations, but we aim to prepare diligently to evolve into a stronger Gen.G.

Q. Which areas require further enhancement?

Head Coach Ryu: I will ensure that both the players and coaching staff approach matches with a unified mindset.

Kiin: I agree. Aligning under a shared vision is paramount.

Q. Any final thoughts?

Head Coach Ryu: I appreciate the unwavering support from our fans during challenging times. As we head into the playoffs, we will prepare diligently to deliver an outstanding performance.

Kiin: While the regular season had its disappointments, we aim to make a strong comeback in the playoffs.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the assistance of AI. Subsequently, it was edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-generated translations undergo thorough review and refinement by our editorial team.
[Read Original]

You may also like