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World Championship 2025 HLE Preview: Peanut’s Last Dance

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Devin Morris | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 1:37 PM ET

Peanut has been competing in professional League of Legends for over 10 years. In that time, he has yet to win a World Championship, even while being on T1 and GenG Esports. He now finds himself on Hanwha Life Esports with one more attempt. Peanut announced before the end of the LCK Playoffs that this will be his final year before heading to military service. Can he finally achieve his dream and lift the Summoner’s Cup on his final attempt, and put his name forward as one of the best junglers to play professionally?

Hanwha Life Roster

Choi “Zeus” Woo-je – Korean Top Laner
Han “Peanut” Wang-ho – Korean Jungler
Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo – Korean Mid Laner
Park “Viper” Do-hyeon – Korean Bot Laner
Yu “Delight” Hwan-jung – Korean Support
Cho “DanDy” In-kyu – Korean Head Coach

HLE began the year by swapping their top laner. Choi “Doran” Hyeon-jun went over to T1, while they got Zeus from T1. They have kept that roster throughout the year.

HLE’s Road to Worlds

HLE started the year by winning the LCK Cup and First Stand. They maintained that form, remaining only behind GenG during the regular season. However, at Road to MSI, they fell to GenG and T1, missing out on the international event. Upon returning to the LCK, they were clearly the third-best team in the region, losing to GenG and T1 on all six occasions. During the Playoffs, the script turned around. They dominated T1 and KT 3-0 to advance to the Grand Finals. They could not topple GenG and lost 3-1, entering the World Championship as the second seed.

Zeus’ Third World Championship

Image of LTA North League of Legends gameplay, courtesy of Riot Games.

Since bursting onto the professional stage in 2022, Zeus has made every World Championship final with T1. He fell short in 2022, losing to DRX. In that series, he was outplayed by his counterpart, Kingen. Heading into the 2023 Final, Zeus did not want the same story to repeat as he ascended to God status, winning the final 3-0 and earning himself the Finals MVP. In 2024, he would not have as much of a 1v9 performance, but he helped T1 to a second consecutive title.

In 2025, he finds himself on a new team. He searches for that third title. Zeus has been inconsistent this year, but at his peak, few can stop him. Can Zeus become the third player and first top laner to achieve a third World Championship while also being the first player to win three straight?

Peanut’s Last Dance

In his storied career, Peanut has won everything except the World Championship. That title has eluded him, even while being on T1 and GenG during their most dominant years. Peanut was one series victory away in 2017, but Ruler’s SSG took him and T1 down. During the LCK Playoffs, Peanut announced that this would be his final year before heading to the military. There is a chance he returns after his service. However, his age and time off may mean his skills will deteriorate. 2025 is likely the last dance for Peanut. A World Championship victory will surely cement him as one of the best junglers in League history, but many stand in his way.

Expectations

HLE at their peak can defeat any team in their way. They showed that level during the LCK Cup. As a result, not lifting the trophy will be seen as a disappointment. While they do not have the same expectations as GenG, the roster has players capable of going the distance. Only Delight and Peanut have not won a World Championship. An early exit in the Quarterfinals, like last year, will leave a stain on the fabled roster.

Upcoming Journey

HLE begins the Swiss Stage in the second pool, meaning they face other teams from that pool. Their potential opponents are: Anyone’s Legend, Movistar KOI, Vivo Keyd Stars, Team Secret Whales, and Top Esports (Depending on the Play-In result). HLE finished last year’s Swiss Stage with a 3-1 record. Can they go one better and qualify for the Playoffs with a 3-0?

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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