Back on the international stage at First Stand 2026, Kellin aims for a strong showing with BNK FearX.
Every international League of Legends (LoL) tournament circuit tends to follow a familiar script. Certain organisations appear almost by default, teams with the pedigree, infrastructure, and consistency to qualify year after year. Alongside them are the perennial fan favourites, squads whose brands are just as recognisable as their players.
But First Stand 2026 has already taken that script in a different direction. The LoL Champions Korea (LCK) Cup took an unexpected turn, with 
BNK FearX defeating the 2025 World Champions 
T1 in the Upper Bracket before sweeping Dplus KIA 3–0 in the Lower Bracket Final to secure their place in the Grand Finals and the LCK’s second seed at First Stand. The result marks the organisation’s first appearance on the international stage since 2019, with BNK FearX surpassing some of the LCK’s biggest names, including T1 and 
Hanwha Life Esports, to represent Korea in São Paulo.
Kellin returns to the international stage as BNK FearX reach a historic milestone
For the roster itself, the moment is even more significant. Four of the five players, Top laner 
Hyeon-min “Clear” Song, jungler Eo-jin “Raptor” Jeon, mid laner Dae-gwang “Vicla” Lee, and bot laner Nam “Diable” Dae-geun, are making their international debut in São Paulo.
Only one player on the lineup brings prior experience on the global stage: support player Kim “Kellin” Heong-gyu, who previously appeared at multiple editions of the LoL World Championship while playing for 
Dplus KIA.
Now, after several seasons away from international play, Kellin returns as the veteran voice guiding BNK FearX through their first appearance abroad. In an exclusive interview, GosuGamers sat down with Kellin ahead of the tournament to talk about the team’s historic qualification, his return to the global stage, and what BNK FearX hope to achieve in Brazil.
“It’s been a long time, so I’m very happy and excited,” Kellin said ahead of the tournament. “It’s also my first time participating in an international tournament as a part of the BFX team. I’m very happy about it.”
The support added that the moment the qualification became official, the atmosphere around the team shifted instantly. “I think everyone was very happy. Even the staff and our organisation were very happy for us,” he explained, describing the celebrations within the organisation after locking their place at First Stand.
For a roster that many observers had not expected to see representing Korea this early in the season, the milestone carries weight not just for the players but for the organisation itself.
Founded relatively recently compared to some of the LCK’s legacy organisations, BNK FearX had never reached an international event before this run. Their breakthrough at First Stand therefore marks a historic step for the team as they enter the global stage for the first time.
Arriving into First Stand with clear ambition
Despite the underdog narrative surrounding BNK FearX, the team are not arriving in Brazil without ambition. Kellin was open in sharing his clear targets for the tournament, ones that go beyond simply gaining experience.
“My goal is to get to first place in Groups. And my goal is to make it to the finals,” he said. “I think I haven’t been able to do so well in international tournaments, so I want to show you a good performance.”
The First Stand Group Stage will run with a double-elimination best-of-five format, a structure that can test even the most experienced rosters. But according to Kellin, the format should actually suit BNK FearX well given their recent domestic experience.
He explained that the roster are already comfortable playing longer series after navigating several best-of-fives during the LCK Kickoff playoffs, where they had to take on some of the region’s strongest teams to qualify.
Being able to compete against top teams on the international stage again is something he believes fans can look forward to at First Stand.
Kellin eyes JDG clash but hopes to avoid Gen.G
One potential matchup he is particularly eager for would come against 
JD Gaming, largely because of a personal storyline involving one of the LoL Professional League's (LPL) most well-known AD carries.
“I want to face JDG. I’ve known [
Chen “GALA” Wei] for a long time, but we have never played against each other in an official match,” Kellin said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”
Still, there is one opponent he would prefer to avoid if given the choice. When asked which team he would rather not face at the tournament, Kellin admitted that a familiar LCK rival still looms large in his mind.
“The team I don’t want to face… I think it’s 
Gen.G,” he said. “I’ve never won against Gen.G. So yeah. I would rather not, if it’s possible.”
Gen.G has ruled the LCK for almost four years, winning most titles and often doing so so convincingly that even powerhouse teams like T1, the region’s most decorated World Champions, have found it tough to compete. So for a team like BNK FearX, Gen.G continues to be the mountain they need to overcome to win it all at First Stand.
Kellin hopes to see Brazil’s coastline between matches
Even outside the server, the First Stand trip represents a new experience for several members of BNK FearX. The tournament is being held in São Paulo, marking the first time many of the players have travelled to Brazil.
Kellin admitted that the team’s packed schedule has left little room for sightseeing so far, but one item remains firmly on his personal wish list.
After arriving and taking in the surroundings, he quickly realised how much he wanted to see more of the country’s coastline. The scenery left an impression on him, and he mentioned that the air felt refreshing compared to what he expected.
While practice and matches remain the priority, he hopes the team can still find a brief moment to step away from competition and visit the ocean before they leave.
For now, however, the focus remains firmly on the Rift. Before the tournament began, Kellin had a simple message for the supporters who followed BNK FearX through their improbable LCK run and into their first international appearance.
“We have made it to First Stand! Thank you so much for always believing in us and supporting us,” he said. “We will show you a good performance.”
BNK FearX will face 
Bilibili Gaming on 16 March at 9:00 PM (SGT).
