KT Rolster emerged victorious in the 2024 LCK Spring Split on Mar. 10 by defeating Nongshim RedForce 2-1. Despite a setback in Game 2, KT Rolster showed resilience and clinched their eighth win. The standout performer of the match was Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon, who sat down with Yoon Soo-bin post-match for a chat.
Congratulations on today’s triumph. How are you feeling?
Starting the day with a match was challenging, but the outcome is satisfying, so I’m feeling positive.
Receiving the Player of the Game twice and reaching 700 points must be rewarding. How do you view this achievement?
I consider myself fortunate to have received this recognition.
In Game 1, you opted for Rell, who has been successful on Patch 14.4. What prompted this choice?
While I’m comfortable on other champions against Rell, the draft situation led us to believe that Rell was the right pick for that game.
Your early-game jungle pathing was impressive. What was your strategy?
We had a strong level 1 composition, and we recognized Vi’s weakness in the early game, allowing us to capitalize on that advantage.
You managed to steal the Rift Herald. How did that play out?
Seeing Deft pushing bot lane, I saw an opportunity to buy time for our team. Although we didn’t plan to secure the Rift Herald, my strong scaling allowed me to make the steal.
Game 2 presented some challenges. What was the most difficult aspect of facing Nongshim RedForce?
Nongshim RedForce’s strong team cohesion made us cautious, especially when we lacked vision on the minimap.
In Game 3’s draft, you seemed to target champions that the opponent excels with, such as Vi and Zeri. What was the strategy behind this?
By denying Vi from the opponents, we limited their options. Additionally, Deft’s familiarity with bot lane matchups influenced our draft decisions.
We witnessed Gromp securing a kill. Did that moment boost your confidence?
At that instant, I wasn’t focused on winning. It was more of a pleasant surprise, especially when we saw Gromp’s contribution to the kill.
Deft’s pentakill in the final moments marked a significant achievement. How did you feel witnessing your team’s collective effort?
Deft’s first pentakill in the LCK after 11 years was a memorable moment. Although I was tempted to steal the show, I chose to support Deft and celebrate the milestone.
(*Note: Deft had 3 pentakills in the LPL, Pyosik had 1 in the LCK and 1 in the LCS.)
How did Deft react to his pentakill?
He was simply thrilled with the achievement.
With your birthday approaching next Tuesday, is there a special gift you wish to receive?
The overwhelming support I’ve received since returning to the LCK has been the greatest gift. The outpouring of love has surpassed my expectations.
Looking ahead to the next game, what are your expectations?
Just as we prepared meticulously for today’s match, we will remain vigilant and thoroughly analyze our opponents to deliver another strong performance in the upcoming game.
Please rewrite the provided statement so I can assist you better.