LCK Cup 2026 Match Review: NS Shocks With Victory Over HLE

Both Nongshim Redforce and Hanwha Life Esports lost their first series of the LCK Cup. HLE’s loss came against T1, while NS lost to FearX when they were favoured. Many expected HLE to dominate NS today, but that was not the case. NS recovered from a deficit in game one and then responded with a dominant win to earn a 2-0 series victory. NS’s success brings parity between the two groups in the LCK Cup.

LCK Cup 2026: Nongshim Redforce Versus Hanwha Life Esports Match Review

Game One Draft

Hanwha Life Esports – Blue Side

• Sion
• Aatrox
• Azir
• Aphelios
• Lulu

Nongshim Redforce

• Zaahen
• Pantheon
• Orianna
• Corki
• Neeko

Game One Summary

There is some action early, but First Blood only occurs at 6:30. Two minutes later, Zeka and Kanavi target Scout again, similarly killing him to the First Blood. Kanavi’s Aatrox is monstrous, with three kills early. He gets too much adrenaline, dying twice, with the second death giving over the Rift Herald. NS stops the Infernal Drake point and wins the fight. Zeus found a flash engagement, which made HLE believe they could turn to Baron. However, the combination of Scout and Kingen denied them. Another pick on Lehends encourages a Baron take, but Sponge flashes in with the Orianna ball. Gumayusi and Delight explode as NS clean up the fight and end the game.

Total Apex Ratings

Nongshim Redforce

• Kingen – 7
• Sponge – 6
• Scout – 8
• Taeyoon – 5
• Lehends – 5

Hanwha Life Esports

• Zeus – 7
• Kanavi – 6
• Zeka – 6
• Gumayusi – 5
• Delight – 5

Player of the game – Scout

Game Two Draft

Nongshim Redforce – Blue Side

• Gwen
• Jarvan IV
• Taliyah
• Yunara
• Nautilus

Hanwha Life Esports

• Ambessa
• Xin Zhao
• Ryze
• Varus
• Braum

Game Two Summary

HLE targeted Kingen early to keep the Gwen at bay. Both teams pulled off early dies, with NS committing more members. The first 4v4 fight went in favor of HLE as NS’s dive was uncoordinated. Despite the target on Kingen’s back, NS ensures they restore his position in the game. NS managed to build themselves a gold lead at 14 minutes.

HLE thought they had the perfect catch on Taeyoon. He dies, but Kingen’s Teleport is brutal as he snips through everyone. HLE manages to stem the bleeding with a couple of extra kills. Kingen is a raid boss, as he carries NS to a Baron. The game drags on for another few minutes, but the wallets are too heavy as NS takes a 2-0 series victory.

Total Apex Ratings

Nongshim Redforce

• Kingen – 9
• Sponge – 7
• Scout – 7
• Taeyoon – 7
• Lehends – 6

Hanwha Life Esports

• Zeus – 4
• Kanavi – 4
• Zeka – 4
• Gumayusi – 5
• Delight – 6

Player of the game – Kingen

Series Summary

It appeared that HLE was in firm control of the first game. Kanavi was charging forward, but had a couple of unnecessary deaths. HLE got overambitious, going for Baron, and NS punished it. The flash from Sponge with the Orianna ball, combined with Kingen’s pull, meant the HLE botlane exploded. From a seemingly unwinnable position, NS managed to go 1-0 up in the series. Game two was a dominant victory for NS. Despite early pressure on Kingen, he entered the mid-game in a dangerous position. His Gwen took over. He nearly won a 1v2 against both HLE solo laners.

When it came to teamfights, he unleashed. NS managed to pull off a 2-0 upset victory over HLE. Heading into the week, many expected HLE to stomp them. The expectations for NS dropped further as they fell convincingly to BFX. Their improvement was evident during the series. For HLE, it is back to the drawing board after a 0-2 week.

Total Apex Series Ratings

Nongshim Redforce

• Kingen – 8.0
• Sponge – 6.5
• Scout – 7.5
• Taeyoon – 6.5
• Lehends – 5.5

Hanwha Life Esports

• Zeus – 5.5
• Kanavi – 5.0
• Zeka – 5.5
• Gumayusi – 5
• Delight – 5.5

Player of the series – Kingen

Other LCK Articles

• Hanwha Life Esports Versus T1 Review
• FearX Versus Nongshim Redforce Review
• LCK Cup Schedule
• LCK Cup Rosters