Gen.G advanced to the winners' bracket after defeating LEC's Karmine Corp in their opening match of the EWC 2026 LoL tournament, held on the 15th at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in France. As the defending champions of the 2025 EWC, all eyes were on Gen.G to see how they would perform after missing the recent MSI. Despite a slightly shaky start, they quickly found their rhythm and cruised to a victory over Karmine Corp.

Below is the post-match interview with Gen.G's Park 'Ruler' Jae-hyuk, conducted on-site.

Q. How do you feel after winning your opening match against Karmine Corp?

We were at a disadvantage early on, so I'm just happy we managed to pull off the win.

Q. This first match was a best-of-one, and the next one will be too. As an LCK team, don't you find best-of-ones more burdensome?

It's true that because it's a best-of-one, one mistake could lead to elimination, so there is some concern about variables. But I believe we have to overcome those things regardless, so I don't feel too much pressure.

Q. Non-AD carry champions have been appearing in the bot lane frequently lately. How confident are you with them?

I think I'm fine with them. I believe my confidence remains at a solid baseline regardless of which champion I play. I'm just continuing to work hard to perform well in matches.

Q. Is there any team you're keeping a close eye on at the EWC?

Honestly, rather than worrying about other teams, I think focusing on our own performance is the priority.

Q. It felt quite strange not to see Gen.G at the recent international tournament, didn't it?

Personally, I've missed out on MSI before, so it didn't feel that strange to me, but it definitely felt odd not to see a team like Gen.G there. Since we weren't at MSI, I have a strong desire to show even more at the EWC. We made some mistakes in today's match, but I hope fans will look forward to what's next.