Gen.G defeated China's LPL team IG in their first match of the 2026 LoL World Championship (Worlds) Swiss Stage on October 24. Featuring Kang "TheShy" Seung-lok and Song "Rookie" Eui-jin, IG was a tough opponent. Although early momentum went against Gen.G, they stayed calm to execute a successful comeback. Below is the interview with Gen.G's Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk following the victory.
Q. How do you feel about facing IG?
IG is a team that drafts and plays around bot lane compositions well, so we paid close attention to that. It was a bit unfortunate that we struggled early on because team members were slightly on different pages.
Q. What was your main focus when preparing for this first match against IG?
We felt our opponent excels at executing their game plan through bot lane compositions, so we practiced how to deal with that.
Q. You suffered a heavy loss in the Voidgrub fight early on, but you stacked Dragons well and turned the game around in later teamfights. Compared to the early disadvantage, the victory seemed quite smooth?
We started at a disadvantage, but our jungler wasn't falling behind in growth, so we tried to play around the jungle. Also, during the top-bot trade, we gained more, which made it easier to catch up.
Q. How does Gen.G view the current meta?
I think the dynamic between jungle and bot lane is the most important. Bot lane needs to handle the laning phase well while synergizing with the jungler's growth.
Q. You have plenty of international experience. How are your current condition and confidence levels at Worlds?
My condition is steadily improving, and my confidence is about halfway there. Since it's only the first match, I think I'll know better after playing a few more games.
Q. Gen.G is considered a strong title contender again this year. However, failing to achieve satisfactory results at Worlds remains an obstacle to overcome. Do you feel any pressure in that regard? Also, what mindset are you approaching this tournament with personally?
First off, I don't feel much pressure. Personally, I'm approaching Worlds this year with the mindset of learning and enjoying the tournament.
Q. Since the tournament is taking place in the United States, games air in the early hours in Korea. Do you have a word for the fans who continue to send their support despite the time difference?
I'm grateful to the fans who stay up late to support us. The game times might not be convenient due to the time difference, but we will work even harder to make it worth cheering for us.
