In the 2026 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Round 3 match held at LoL PARK in Jonggak on the 8th, Hanwha Life Esports defeated T1 2-1, successfully snapping a three-game losing streak. T1 opted to start rookie 'Painter' Kim Eun-hoo, who was recently called up, instead of 'Oner' Moon Hyeon-joon, but ultimately fell 1-2.

In the first set, T1's 'Keria' used Camille to force out the summoner spells of Hanwha Life's bottom duo. Top laner 'Doran's Olaf secured a solo kill against 'Zeus' Anivia, who had relied on his passive. Hanwha Life targeted 'Faker's Galio in the mid lane, but a swap between Galio and Pantheon, followed by T1's faster rotation, allowed T1 to take down 'Kanavi's Vi in the ensuing skirmish.

T1 continued to find success, securing kills through effective aggro management during a Dragon fight and picking off Anivia again in the top lane. T1 snowballed effectively, holding three Dragon stacks and a gold lead of over 5k by the 20-minute mark. Hanwha Life had no room to breathe. After a decisive mid teamfight victory, T1 secured the Dragon Soul and Baron, dominating the game to take a clean win in the first set.

In the second set, 'Zeus' Ambessa capitalized on a moment of complacency from the opponent to secure a solo kill on 'Doran's Gnar, mirroring his own experience from the first set. T1's 'Phase' used Caitlyn to take down 'Gumayusi's Ziggs in a 1v1, utilizing both Flash and Ghost after the opponent's skills were on cooldown. Hanwha Life, however, gained momentum by catching 'Faker's LeBlanc twice in the mid lane.

Although Hanwha Life held a slight gold lead, T1 turned the game around in an instant with a one-sided victory in a teamfight near Baron at the 25-minute mark, followed by a Baron capture. However, in the very next Dragon fight, Hanwha Life quickly took down LeBlanc and Ambessa engaged perfectly to secure an Ace, nullifying T1's previous gains. After picking off Gnar and taking Baron, Hanwha Life pushed through the mid lane to destroy T1's Nexus at 33 minutes, tying the series 1-1.

In the final third set, after an early exchange of kills in the mid and top lanes, Hanwha Life won a major teamfight at the Dragon pit and secured the objective. T1 kept pace by finding minor advantages elsewhere. Hanwha Life then initiated an aggressive play on the Rift Herald; T1 chose to concede the Herald, with 'Doran's Rumble opting to push the bottom lane instead.

T1 was unwilling to concede the next Dragon. Hanwha Life grouped in the mid lane to clear vision, forcing T1 back. Hanwha Life reached three Dragon stacks by the 17-minute mark, and 'Faker's Viktor was caught by Cho'Gath and Naafiri in the top lane. Using the Rift Herald, Hanwha Life destroyed T1's bottom tower followed by the mid tier-one tower.

Frustrated, T1 attempted to force a fight with 'Keria's Bard ultimate, but a lack of follow-up allowed Hanwha Life to maintain pressure. 'Gumayusi's Ezreal continued to poke down T1's health, forcing them back and allowing Hanwha Life to secure the Dragon Soul without contest. Hanwha Life also won a top lane skirmish and took Baron. The gap between the teams was evident, as T1 lost the next teamfight despite catching Ezreal first. As the Elder Dragon spawned, another teamfight broke out in the mid lane. T1 managed a decent fight by kiting and focusing on Cho'Gath, eventually taking down the overextending Naafiri.

However, shortly after, Viktor was caught out, forcing T1 to pivot to an Elder Dragon steal attempt. Varus secured the Elder Dragon, but Hanwha Life won the ensuing teamfight and pushed down the bottom inhibitor. After securing Baron, Hanwha Life continued their assault, defeating T1 2-1 and successfully ending their three-game losing streak.