6 Korean 'League of Legends' pros you need to watch this season

There’s never a dull moment in professional League of Legends. The spring playoffs are already underway for both Europe and North America, but now it’s Korea’s turn.

The best players in the region (and some would argue, in the world) will be taking to the Rift to assert their dominance starting Wednesday. Here’s who to watch for big plays and clutch saves as the Korean teams fight for the season championship.

1. Smeb

The ROX Tigers are sitting comfortably at the top of the heap in LoL Championships Korea. Dominating from the top lane, Smeb has been a key player in securing lots of the crew’s wins. Unsurprisingly so, as he has been considered one of the LCK’s best top laners for some time. This year, he’s been turning in the excellent performances you’d expect from a player of his pedigree.

2. Bang

When you talk about the best AD carry players in the world, Bang’s name will inevitably come up. SK Telecom T1 has seen lots of success this season when they put him at the center of their compositions. And with the added pressure of wanting to return to defend both of their Korean championship titles from 2015, Bang and his teammates have a lot to play for. Bang's surefire instincts give fans hope for a big upset over ROX.

3. Hachani

KT Rolster is another crew in hot contention for the number two spot in Korea’s standings. Although it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the team this spring, when these players are in sync, magic can happen. Although Fly in the mid lane is often responsible for the showy actions, KT’s support is the real one to watch. Hachani provides smarts to the crew, translating his strategic skills and game knowledge from past work as a coach into a powerful backbone for the team.

4. TrAce

Another top laning juggernaut, TrAce has been crucial in Jin Air Greenwings’ positive performance. The team has developed a reputation for slow, safe and methodical play this season, but the individual players still get the chance to shine. He has been a big carry for JAG, turning in clean performances on a range of champions.

5. Peanut

Another member of the dominant ROX Tigers, Peanut has been holding court in the jungle. With an impressive first blood percentage and a mighty KDA, he has been active in keeping ROX at the top of the leaderboard. His blend of aggression and precision has helped the team secure win after win, and we expect to see more excellence when he takes the Rift during playoffs.

6. LirA

Probably the biggest surprise of the season was the sudden surge out of the Afreeca Freecs. After spending the first several weeks with just a single victory to their name, the players finally hit their stride halfway through the spring. They worked hard, played well and clenched the fifth spot to make the playoff round. Jungler LirA was a big component in the Freecs’ final march to success, with clutch plays that could turn the tide in their favor during big team fights. 

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.