Hanwha Life Esports defeated T1 2-1 in the second round of the 2026 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) regular season at LoL Park in Jonggak on the 1st, moving into sole possession of first place with a 9-1 record.

In the early stages of Game 1, T1 took the lead when 'Faker's' Annie secured a solo kill against 'Zeka's' Azir. Hanwha Life quickly retaliated, with 'Kanavi's' Jarvan IV and 'Delight's' Bard rotating to mid lane to take down Annie. Both teams traded kills, with Hanwha Life finding success in the top lane and T1 in the bottom lane.

T1 gradually pulled ahead by winning a series of small skirmishes. 'Doran's' Varus racked up multiple kills, providing T1 with immense firepower. During a team fight near the dragon pit at the 24-minute mark, Varus’ massive damage output allowed 'Peyz's' Jhin to clean up the fight with a triple kill.

However, Hanwha Life turned the game around by catching out 'Keria's' Karma and 'Faker's' Annie behind the Baron pit, successfully securing the Baron buff. Hanwha Life utilized their high damage to burn down the Baron quickly, losing only 'Zeus' in the process. Although T1 attempted to capitalize on their numerical advantage, Hanwha Life fought back effectively—even deploying an Azir turret in the top lane—to suppress T1 and take the first game.

In Game 2, Hanwha Life's 'Kanavi,' playing Xin Zhao, ganked the bottom lane to take down 'Peyz's' Aphelios. T1 responded by securing the first kill in a fight near the dragon, which helped 'Faker's' Twisted Fate and 'Oner's' Lee Sin gain momentum. However, 'Zeus'' Gwen rotated down to catch Lee Sin, and Hanwha Life followed up by targeting the mid lane to take down Twisted Fate.

Hanwha Life then engaged aggressively, winning a major team fight in the bottom lane. Shortly after the Baron spawned, they attempted to take it. While Hanwha Life secured the Baron faster than expected, T1 flanked them, dealing significant damage and winning the ensuing team fight to swing the gold lead back in their favor.

In the following dragon fight, T1 utilized superior positioning and effective aggro-swapping to dismantle Hanwha Life, securing the Dragon Soul and setting their sights on the Elder Dragon. Hanwha Life attempted a bold initiation in the mid lane before the Elder Dragon spawned, but T1 handled it well, winning the team fight to tie the series 1-1.

In the deciding third game, Hanwha Life prioritized their mid-jungle synergy by picking Ahri and Vi, landing several effective plays early on. T1 countered by catching 'Zeus'' Jayce twice in the top lane. Hanwha Life continued to build their lead through their well-fed Ahri and Vi, while their Kai'Sa also secured a kill in the bottom lane.

Hanwha Life used their lead to choke out T1, applying constant pressure and smoothly securing the Dragon Soul. There were no surprises; Hanwha Life baited T1 into a team fight while taking the Baron, and after securing the objective, they decisively won the final team fight to claim a 2-1 victory over T1 in their first match of the second round.