Photo by LGD Gaming
After consistently lackluster performances internationally, LGD Gaming sign in powerhouse Gyeong-Hwan “MaRin” Jang for the top lane position, moving Cheon-ju “Acorn” Choi to a coaching position.
LGD is one of those teams that have left viewers confused as to what happened. At the start of 2015, this Chinese team imported star players Cheon-ju “Acorn” Choi of Samsung Galaxy Blue and world champion Seung-bin “Imp” Gu of Samsung Galaxy White. With such powerful players, they would go on to win 2nd place in the LPL’s spring playoffs and take home the gold as they won the summer split, giving them China’s first seed going into Worlds.
Upon hitting the international scene, LGD crumbled as they lost the group stage with a score of 2-4. Things began to look even more grim for the former all star team when they were defeated 0-2 by Team SoloMid at IEM San Jose. Seeing as they were unable to compete with other regions, LGD knew that changes had to be made. With news of SK Telecom T1 losing several members, LGD looked towards Korea once again to improve their roster. After losing Ho-Jong “Flame” Lee and moving Acorn to their coaching staff, LGD announced via weibo that they have signed on Gyeong-Hwan “MaRin” Jang as their new top laner.
MaRin is seen as one of, if not, the best top laner in the world currently. He was awarded the Worlds 2015 MVP title, with an astounding 4.4 KDA. This prodigy top laner was unmatched in his position, helping to carry SKT to a 17-1 finish in the LCK Summer Split and crowning SKT as the first ever team to win the world championship title twice.
Although he may play for a Chinese team, MaRin will be representing Korea in this week’s All-Star event. This will be his final time working alongside fellow world champion Sang-hyeok “Faker” Lee, and he will be forced to play against fellow LGD member Chen “Pyl” Bo. With two world champions now under the belt, LGD look to reclaim their title as China’s kings of the LPL in the 2016 season.
