In a series that lived up to the immense hype surrounding Korea’s most storied rivalry, T1 has defeated Gen.G 2-1 in the first round of the 2025 LCK Summer Split, bringing an end to Gen.G’s remarkable 27-series undefeated streak.
After dropping the opening game, T1 made key changes to secure back-to-back wins, ending with a dominant game three performance that had fans experiencing déjà vu. The winning squad leaned heavily on comfort picks reminiscent of their perfect 2022 Spring run, with Gumayusi on Aphelios, Keria on Thresh, and Faker returning to his iconic Ryze.
The bot lane duo of Gumayusi and Keria proved to be the real difference throughout the series. Gumayusi’s Aphelios looked almost untouchable in the final two games, while Keria’s spot-on Thresh hooks kept setting up fights that Gen.G just couldn’t win.
“T1 finally remembered they got the 18-0 streak playing around Guma,” said one analyst, pointing out how the team’s choice to let their bot laner carry paid off against the previously unbreakable Gen.G lineup.
The match also kept the legendary Faker-Chovy rivalry going, which is now tied up at 65-65 in head-to-head matches. Faker’s Ryze plays in the decider showed why he’s still one of the best mid laners out there, even after more than ten years in the scene.
T1’s moves during the series were especially impressive. After taking the loss in game one, they changed their approach, focusing more on side lane pressure and team fights, repeatedly outplaying Gen.G around key objectives and forcing fights on their favorite champions.
The streak breakers
For Gen.G, this loss is their first taste of defeat after putting together one of the longest winning streaks in LCK history. Despite coming out strong with a game one win, they couldn’t keep up with T1’s bot lane in the following games and made some questionable draft choices that let T1’s stars take their signature champs.
The win means a lot for the rest of the Summer Split—and maybe even for the 2025 World Championship. With both teams considered top of the world, this early battle shows that Korea’s best might be closer in skill than Gen.G’s recent run would make you think.
