The 2022 League of Legends Champions Korea summer season is well underway, with games happening five days a week. For fans that don’t have time to watch all the action but want to know what is going on, we at Upcomer are here to provide a daily recap of each day’s games. Here is what happened today in the 2022 LCK summer season.
DRX fends off HLE
This week’s matchup between DRX and HLE pitted two teams who are having opposite years (compared to last) against each other. DRX is likely to be the fourth team to qualify for Worlds 2022 this year after a terrible 2021, coming into Week 2 with a 2-0 record. Meanwhile, with superstar mid-laner Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon gone, Hanwha Life Esports seems destined for the bottom of the standings after making it to the quarterfinals at Worlds 2021.
.@HLEofficial Vsta locks in the first #LCK Amumu in 1,417 days! pic.twitter.com/ga8vEyVrGf
— LCK (@LCK) June 24, 2022
In Game 1, it seemed like HLE was stuck in the Worlds 2021 meta as they tried out Amumu support, which hasn’t seen play in the LCK in over three years. Despite HLE getting first blood with it, Amumu was a non-factor throughout the rest of the game as DRX took Game 1.
Kingen and BeryL, operators of the NEVER ENDING BOUNCE HOUSE 😰🎪 #LCK pic.twitter.com/xvQtQHQRjQ
— LCK (@LCK) June 24, 2022
HLE still believed they were onto something with the Amumu pick in Game 2, deciding to try again with almost the exact same composition; but instead of Viego in the jungle, HLE locked in XIn Zhao. To HLE’s credit, the draft paid off, as the team needed to focus on objective control and they did just that. DRX didn’t take any objectives after three towers as HLE forced a Game 3.
BEAUTIFUL Amumu engage for Vsta! 🤯 #LCK pic.twitter.com/RvN48Zj874
— LCK (@LCK) June 24, 2022
Although Amumu wasn’t banned in Game 3, DRX did throw a Kalista ban at HLE, prompting them to go a different route in the draft. That ban wasn’t enough, and despite a close first 15 minutes, DRX was able to open the game up with a 25-minute Baron, using the advantage to force HLE back into their base as DRX amassed an insurmountable gold lead. That lead essentially allowed DRX to win any skirmish and improve their record this season to 3-0. HLE’s loss puts them at a 0-3 start for the season.
Gen.G makes quick work out of BRO
In another mismatch between a top and bottom team, Gen.G and Fredit BRION came into this game with opposite records; Gen.G on top at 3-0 while BRO sat at 0-3. With Gen.G slated as the clear favorites, Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk gave fans something to be excited about in champ select, picking Twitch for the first time in the LCK over 700 days. BRO understood that they would have to answer that draft with some unorthodox gameplay of their own, doing just that by picking off Gen.G’s Yuumi for first blood. BRO had a 1k gold lead at the 15-minute mark, but unfortunately, the skill gap between the two teams was too big for BRO to handle. Gen.G’s superior team fighting allowed them to bully around BRO; Ruler ended the game with a 6/0/9 statline as Gen.G wrapped up Game 1 in 26 minutes.
.@GenG Ruler picks the first #LCK Twitch in 736 days! pic.twitter.com/0U8wtyXMOW
— LCK (@LCK) June 24, 2022
Game 2 saw both teams draft pretty standard meta compositions, but in the end, it didn’t change much. Gen.G took first blood this time, with BRO answering back in a nice early game teamfight nine minutes in. After a series of small skirmishes, Gen.G slowly grew their gold lead and put the nail in the coffin with a three for zero teamfight in the mid lane 26 minutes in, ending the game a minute after for a quick and easy 2-0 victory.
PROVIEW: CHOOOVY's Ahri TRIPLE KILL! #LCK pic.twitter.com/iG3gKFt5gC
— LCK (@LCK) June 24, 2022
What’s Next
Week 2 of the 2022 LCK summer split continues on Saturday with another two games on the schedule. Saturday’s first match between T1 and DWG KIA is sure to please; Liiv SANDBOX’s match against KT Rolster will close out the week.
