KT Rolster Shocks Esports World With Flawless Quarterfinal Run

The 2025 League of Legends World Championship has already delivered its fair share of surprises and drama as it unfolds at the Beijing Smart Esports Center in China. While the world’s top teams battle for supremacy, South Korea’s LCK representatives are finding their fortunes diverging, with underdog KT Rolster blazing an unexpected trail to the quarterfinals and defending champions T1 facing a daunting uphill climb.

When the event kicked off on October 14, 2025, few would have predicted that KT Rolster, entering as LCK’s third seed, would be the first to punch their ticket to the top 8. Analysts and fans alike had pegged them as a step behind the region’s other powerhouses, but KT Rolster has relished the role of dark horse, dispatching all comers in the Swiss Stage without dropping a single set. Their journey has become one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines so far.

KT’s campaign began against Movistar KOI, the second seed from the EMEA’s LEC. Things looked grim early on as KT fell behind 0-5 in kills, but the squad rallied with a series of decisive team fights, flipping the script and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. According to official match reports, "KT Rolster turned the tables with bold plays and relentless pressure, stunning Movistar KOI and setting the tone for their run." The momentum carried into their next match on October 16, where they faced Team Secret Whales from the Asia-Pacific LCP. Once again, KT found themselves trailing in the early game, yet managed to claw back control in a fashion reminiscent of their opener, outmaneuvering their opponents and securing a crucial win.

But the real statement came on October 17, when KT Rolster squared off against China’s TOP Esports, the LPL’s third seed. The matchup was billed as a true test of KT’s mettle, and they delivered in emphatic fashion with a 2-0 sweep. In the first set, rookie player "Perfect" Lee Seung-min’s Rumble showcased nerves of steel and mechanical prowess far beyond his years, while "Deokdam" Seo Dae-gil’s Corki rained down damage in every team fight. The second set saw jungler "Cuzz" Moon Woo-chan’s Trundle rack up assists across the map, destabilizing TOP Esports at every turn. "Bdd" Gwak Bo-seong’s Cassiopeia and Seo’s Ezreal closed out the match with a dominant 18-7 kill score. Not only did KT Rolster remain undefeated, but they also became the first team to clinch a quarterfinals berth in this year’s championship.

As the dust settles on the Swiss Stage’s first half, KT’s achievement stands out all the more given the struggles of their compatriots. Gen.G, the LCK’s top seed, and Hanwha Life Esports, the second seed, have both performed solidly, each posting a 2-1 record. Gen.G opened their campaign with a convincing win over PSG Talon but stumbled against Anyone’s Legend, LPL’s second seed. On October 18, Gen.G bounced back in spectacular fashion, demolishing T1 in a lopsided victory marked by a 23-3 kill score. Their calculated draft and crisp execution left little doubt about their playoff ambitions.

Hanwha Life Esports, meanwhile, suffered an early upset at the hands of Anyone’s Legend but rebounded with dominant wins over PSG Talon and 100 Thieves. Both Gen.G and Hanwha now gear up for best-of-three duels in the next Swiss Stage round: Gen.G will face TOP Esports, a familiar foe from recent international clashes, while Hanwha Life will take on CTBC Flying Oyster, a team they have bested twice this year in other international competitions.

Yet, the most dramatic storyline belongs to T1, the reigning world champions and perhaps the most storied franchise in League of Legends history. Their 2025 campaign has been anything but smooth. After scraping into the main event via a play-in victory over Invictus Gaming, T1 seemed to regain their swagger with a strong win against FlyQuest, the Americas’ top seed. However, a shocking defeat to CTBC Flying Oyster and a heavy loss to Gen.G have left them teetering on the brink, with a 1-2 record and no margin for error.

Historically, T1 has thrived under pressure, having navigated previous Swiss Stage formats with late surges. In 2023, they advanced after a 3-1 record, and in 2024, they rebounded from an opening loss to TOP Esports with three consecutive wins. This year, though, marks the first time T1 has suffered two losses so early in the Swiss Stage. Their next opponent, 100 Thieves, hails from the Americas—a region against which T1 has traditionally done well. But with elimination looming, the psychological burden is immense. As one observer noted, "T1 faces a must-win situation, needing to string together back-to-back victories to keep their title defense alive."

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Both KT Rolster and T1 are vying for the championship, representing not only their organizations but also the pride of the LCK. The international flavor of the tournament is as rich as ever, with top teams from the LPL, LEC, LCP, and beyond pushing the boundaries of competitive play. Every match has the potential to reshape the narrative, and the ongoing action keeps fans on the edge of their seats.

With the Swiss Stage reaching its midpoint, anticipation is building for the knockout rounds. KT Rolster, having defied expectations, now waits to see which 3-2 team they’ll face in the quarterfinals. Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports look to solidify their own playoff spots, while T1 battles for survival in a do-or-die scenario. The 2025 World Championship is far from over, and if the first week is any indication, more twists and electrifying moments await.

As of October 20, 2025, the tournament’s outcome remains up in the air. KT Rolster’s flawless run has set a new standard, but the road to the Summoner’s Cup is still wide open. All eyes now turn to the next round of matches, where legends will rise—or fall—on the grandest stage of them all.