Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) enters the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational carrying a distinction no other team can claim.
Top laner Zeus, mid laner Zeka, and bot laner Viper are the only competitors at this year’s tournament to have played in every single one of Riot Games’ major international competitions. It is a testament to sustained excellence at the highest level of professional League of Legends.
HLE secured the LCK’s first seed by dismantling T1 in a decisive 3-1 victory during the Road to MSI finals on June 12, 2026. For a club historically overshadowed by the region's traditional giants, the top seed marks a genuine shift in the domestic hierarchy. Zeus, a two-time world champion, joined the roster in late 2024, complementing the existing international pedigrees of Zeka and Viper.
The organization, backed by financial services firm Hanwha Life Insurance, has steadily invested in infrastructure and elite talent. This MSI appearance represents the clearest return on that long-term vision, as the roster pursues a historic international title.