Gen.G have also secured at least second seed into Worlds 2026.
The action continues in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Season Playoffs, with regional giants 
Hanwha Life Esports and 
Gen.G clashing in the Upper Bracket Final for the first spot in the LCK Grand Finals and a guaranteed top-two seed at Worlds 2026.
In the end, it was Gen.G who defeated HLE 3-1 to become the first team to advance to the LCK Grand Finals.
Throughout the season, both teams remained among the LCK's strongest contenders, staying near the top of the standings through Rounds 3 and 4. Gen.G and HLE eventually finished the regular season first and second, respectively, with identical 19-7 records, earning both teams direct entry into the second round of the Playoffs.
As the top seed, Gen.G had the right to choose their opponent from the Round 1 winners and selected 
KT Rolster. Gen.G then made quick work of KT, sweeping the series 3-0 to advance to the Upper Bracket Final.
HLE were left with 
T1 and had a much tougher road ahead. After dropping the first two games of the series, HLE fought their way back with three straight wins to complete the reverse sweep, taking the series 3-2 and setting up another meeting with Gen.G.
Here's how the matches went.
Hanwha Life Esports take Game 1 against Gen.G after late Baron fight
In the first game, HLE and Gen.G remained mostly even, with HLE pulling slightly ahead as the two sides continued to answer each other's plays across the map. Neither team was able to create much separation, trading kills and objectives as the game stretched into the late stages. However, a decisive fight around the Baron pit finally swung the game HLE's way, with HLE taking down most of Gen.G and securing the buff. With Baron on their backs, HLE marched into Gen.G's base and destroyed the Nexus in 39 minutes with a 16-8 kill lead.
Gen.G outlast Hanwha Life Esports in chaotic Game 2
The second game was a chaotic, lengthy affair, with Gen.G and HLE constantly trading blows, although Gen.G maintained a slight advantage for much of the game. Both teams continued looking for openings through side skirmishes and objective steals, with HLE eventually breaking into Gen.G's base during the late game.
However, with Canyon back on the map, HLE were forced to retreat, while 
Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon used the opening to tear through HLE's base on his own. The rest of Gen.G held their opponents back long enough for Chovy and Kim “Kiin” Gi-in to finish the job, taking down HLE's Nexus in 45 minutes with a 34-27 kill lead to even the series.
Gen.G pull ahead against Hanwha Life Esports with dominant Game 3
In the third game, while both teams were even in the early game, Gen.G made better decisions and scaled faster than HLE. With superior team fighting, Gen.G were able to outplay HLE, despite their opponents trying to find ways to close the gold lead. After a 30-minute encounter, Gen.G destroyed HLE’s base with a 26-9 kill lead.
Gen.G overwhelm Hanwha Life Esports to take Game 4
In the fourth game, both teams remained even in the early game. However, Gen.G’s AD Carry top and AD Carry bottom lane proved challenging for HLE, with Gen.G executing consecutive ganks onto the top lane. This allowed them to slowly build up their gold lead against their opponents, with most of HLE forced to tiptoe around the damage Kiin’s Varus was dealing.
HLE tried to find a fight at the Dragon pit, but Gen.G still kept their lead, which allowed them to take down the Baron. And after 26 minutes, with a 24-12 kill lead, Gen.G took down HLE’s Nexus to win the fourth game and the series.
WIth their win, Gen.G have booked their ticket to the LCK Grand Finals. This win has also guaranteed the team at least second seed into Worlds 2026.
Meanwhile HLE drop to the Lower Bracket Final, where they will face the winner of the match-up between T1 and DK Plus.
