Gumayusi, Keria Face LCK Qualifier

The 2026 LoL Champions Korea Finals Media Day brought together representatives from all three teams involved at this stage: Gen.G Esports, Hanwha Life Esports and T1. Gen.G had already secured direct entry to the finals, while Hanwha Life Esports and T1 were present ahead of the finals qualifier. Among the players at the September 8 event at Chzzk LoL Park in Jonggak, Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok attracted particular attention. They once formed a bot lane duo, but the qualifier will place them on opposite sides of the fight for a finals spot.

Their shared record makes that meeting more than a routine matchup. Gumayusi and Keria spent five years together before Gumayusi moved to Hanwha Life Esports late last year. During their time as teammates, they collected numerous accolades, including three consecutive World Championship titles. The transfer ended the long-running pairing, yet it also created the matchup now approaching in the LCK finals qualifier. Instead of combining their experience in one lane, they will bring that knowledge into a series where Hanwha Life Esports and T1 are still competing for the remaining path discussed at Media Day. Gen.G Esports, represented at the event by its head coach and two players, do not need to take that route because the team directly qualified for the finals.

From T1 teammates to qualifier opponents

Gumayusi made clear that he still values what Keria provided when both played for T1. “When I was on T1, Min-seok helped me a lot both in gameplay and drafting. It’s a bit disappointing that I can’t get that help anymore.” His remarks identify two areas in which the former lane partner aided him, while also acknowledging the practical change created by their split. That assistance is no longer available to Gumayusi as he prepares with Hanwha Life Esports. At the same time, Gumayusi did not describe the reunion only as a loss. He welcomed the chance to meet a strong opposing bot lane and connected a victory with an added sense of pride. “However, meeting as opponents is fun because I get to face a great bot lane, and there’s the upside of feeling even more proud when we win.” The qualifier therefore carries both the history of their former partnership and the immediate competitive task of defeating it. Their three consecutive World Championship titles were earned on the same side; this time, the teams must turn preparation, drafting and gameplay toward opposing objectives. The key confirmed points around the matchup are: Gumayusi’s move to Hanwha Life Esports late last year concluded a five-year partnership with Keria. Gen.G Esports directly qualified for the 2026 LCK finals, leaving Hanwha Life Esports and T1 to prepare for the finals qualifier. The former teammates won three consecutive World Championship titles together before becoming opponents.

The bot lanes around them have also changed. Gumayusi now teams up with Yoo “Delight” Hwan-joong, while Keria is paired with Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan. Those current combinations mean the qualifier is not a recreation of the old duo, even though their time together remains relevant to the occasion. Both players used Media Day to speak positively about the teammate beside them now. Gumayusi described Delight through both personality and champion comfort. “Just like his nickname, he has a bright, sunshine-like image. When he plays comfort champions like Alistar or Rakan, he is truly lightning-fast.” The comments specifically point to Alistar and Rakan as comfort champions and emphasize the speed Gumayusi sees when Delight is playing them. Keria offered similarly strong praise for Peyz, focusing on mechanical ability, damage opportunities and teamfight setup: “Peyz has incredible mechanics, and his ability to find damage angles and set up teamfights is exceptionally outstanding compared to other players.” Current confirmed bot lane pairings: Player | Current partner Gumayusi | Delight Keria | Peyz

Keria plans to use what he knows

Keria’s view of the coming opposition balances respect with confidence. Looking back on Gumayusi’s contribution, he called him “a player who helped the team immensely both on and off the stage and instilled a healthy mindset.” That assessment covers more than their in-game partnership, but it does not lead Keria to treat the matchup as uncertain by default. He also explained why their years together can help T1 prepare. “He can be tricky to face in many ways, but on the other hand, I know his playstyle very well. If we execute our draft and gameplay properly according to that, we can definitely win.” Keria’s statement places the emphasis on carrying out T1’s draft and gameplay properly. Familiarity is presented as useful information, not as a substitute for execution. Gumayusi’s own comments likewise frame the meeting as a worthwhile challenge against a great bot lane rather than a simple reunion.

• Gumayusi’s late-last-year transfer to Hanwha Life Esports ended his five-year bot lane partnership with Keria.
• Gen.G Esports qualified directly for the 2026 LCK finals; Hanwha Life Esports and T1 are preparing for the finals qualifier.
• Gumayusi and Keria won three consecutive World Championship titles as teammates.

The LCK finals qualifier turns a five-year partnership and three consecutive World Championship titles into an opponent-versus-opponent meeting. Gen.G Esports are already in the finals, while Gumayusi with Hanwha Life Esports and Keria with T1 prepare for the qualifier that will decide the remaining finals route.