South Korea beats Taiwan 3-0 to win second straight Asian Games LoL gold
In short
South Korea won the League of Legends gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, beating Taiwan 3-0 in the final on Oct. 2 for a second consecutive Games title. Gamemeca reported the team did not drop a set all tournament, beating Taiwan, India and Hong Kong in the group stage and Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the semifinal. Inven reported Lee Sang-hyeok (“Faker”) said the gold medal had been the team’s biggest goal and that he would now focus on winning the world championship.
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South Korea won the gold medal in the League of Legends competition at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, beating Taiwan 3-0 in the final on Oct. 2 to take the title for a second consecutive Games, according to Gamemeca, Kyunghyang Games and Inven. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Gamemeca reported the team was led by coach Kang Dong-hoon and made up of Choi Woo-je (“Zeus”, top), Kim Geon-bu (“Canyon”, jungle), Kim Geon-woo (“Zeka”, mid), Lee Sang-hyeok (“Faker”), Lee Min-hyung (“Gumayusi”, bot) and Ryu Min-seok (“Keria”, support). Gamemeca and Kyunghyang Games both reported that Choi, Kim Geon-bu, Kim Geon-woo, Lee Min-hyung and Ryu Min-seok started the final. [ 1 , 2 ]
Gamemeca reported Korea went through the tournament without dropping a set, beating Taiwan, India and Hong Kong in the group stage and Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the semifinal, and said Lee Sang-hyeok was appearing at his third consecutive Asian Games. Kyunghyang Games reported that Korea had been considered the strongest candidate for the title after rival China’s absence was confirmed. [ 1 , 2 ]
Both outlets described the final as turning on comebacks. Gamemeca said Korea built the first-set turnaround on an ace in a fight around the fourth dragon, and Kyunghyang Games said Taiwan led by more than 5,000 gold in the second set with surprise picks before Korea turned the game at an elder dragon fight. In the third set Korea took control and won, with Kyunghyang Games reporting Korea eliminated Taiwan near the mid tier-two tower at around 22 minutes into the game. [ 1 , 2 ]
Inven reported that Lee Sang-hyeok said the gold medal had been the team’s biggest goal and that he was happy and proud regardless of whether he started the final. He said he discussed strategy with Kim Geon-woo and enjoyed preparing with Choi Woo-je and Lee Min-hyung, and that he would concentrate on the process of trying to win the world championship next, according to Inven. [ 3 ]
Gamemeca reported that Korea’s esports delegation at the Games won five medals in all: two golds, in League of Legends and a fighting game, one silver in Puyo Puyo esports and bronzes in Gran Turismo 7 and Pokémon Unite. The two outlets gave different names for the final’s venue: Gamemeca said it was Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, while Kyunghyang Games said it was the Aichi Prefectural International Exhibition Hall. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
A second straight Asian Games gold keeps South Korea at the top of the competition’s League of Legends field, and the gaming outlets covering it frame the win as the centrepiece of Korea’s esports medal haul at these Games. Inven’s report that Lee Sang-hyeok is turning to the world championship links the result to the wider esports calendar. The documents give no basis for significance beyond the tournament and the Korean delegation’s medal count.
Key facts
- South Korea beat Taiwan 3-0 in the League of Legends final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Oct. 2. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The win gave South Korea its second consecutive Asian Games gold medal in the event. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Gamemeca reported South Korea won without losing a set, beating Taiwan, India and Hong Kong in the group stage and Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the semifinal. [ 1 ]
- The final starters were Choi Woo-je, Kim Geon-bu, Kim Geon-woo, Lee Min-hyung and Ryu Min-seok, according to Gamemeca and Kyunghyang Games. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Gamemeca reported the squad was coached by Kang Dong-hoon and also included Lee Sang-hyeok. [ 1 ]
- Kyunghyang Games reported South Korea had been seen as the strongest title candidate after rival China’s absence was confirmed. [ 2 ]
- Inven reported Lee Sang-hyeok said the gold medal was the team’s biggest goal and that he was happy and proud regardless of whether he started the final. [ 3 ]
- Gamemeca reported Korea’s esports delegation won five medals at the Games: two golds, one silver and two bronzes. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- South Korea beat Taiwan 3-0 in the League of Legends final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- South Korea won the gold medal, its second consecutive Asian Games title in the event. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- South Korea did not lose a set during the tournament. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Choi Woo-je, Kim Geon-bu, Kim Geon-woo, Lee Min-hyung and Ryu Min-seok were the starters in the final. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The venue of the final: Gamemeca said it was held at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, while Kyunghyang Games said it took place at the Aichi Prefectural International Exhibition Hall. The two outlets give different names for the venue and no document reconciles them.
- Whether Lee Sang-hyeok played in the final. Gamemeca and Kyunghyang Games listed five other starters, and Inven reported his comments on the gold medal “regardless of whether he started the final”, but no document states directly that he did not play.
- Lee Sang-hyeok’s remarks about the gold medal, his preparation and his next goal. Reported only by Inven, a single outlet, and not confirmed elsewhere.
- Korea’s total esports medal count of five at the Games. Reported only by Gamemeca, a single outlet.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Gamemeca publishes the result: South Korea beats Taiwan 3-0 in the Asian Games League of Legends final, taking a second consecutive gold without dropping a set, and reports Korea’s five-medal esports haul. [ 1 ]
- Kyunghyang Games publishes a set-by-set account of the final, noting China’s absence had made South Korea the leading title candidate. [ 2 ]
- Inven publishes comments from Lee Sang-hyeok, who says the gold medal was the team’s biggest goal. [ 3 ]