Interview with Gen.G eSports jungler ‘Canyon’ Kim Geon-bu
Gen.G Esports won the championship by defeating T1 in the 2024 LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea) spring finals on the 14th. Following the 2022 Summer Split, they set a record of winning for 4 consecutive seasons. Gen.G, who had taken the lead by winning the first set, was pushed to the edge by dropping the second and third sets. The person who saved the team from a desperate crisis was jungler Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu, a freshman who transferred from Dplus Kia this year. Ahead of the 2024 season, we met with Kim Geon-bu, who made a big success and won the championship trophy as soon as he transferred to Gen.G, at the Gen.G headquarters and had a chat.
In a situation where Kim Geon-bu had to give up the championship cup even if he gave up just one set, he chose Kazix, which he had never played this season. When asked why he chose Kha’Zix at the time, Kim Geon-bu said, “If I don’t take out the card I practiced in an important game, I have a lot of regrets,” and “I chose it because I thought I should boldly take it out when the situation arises.” In the end, his bold choice changed the flow of the series, and Gen.G, who won the 4th set, took the lead in the 5th set and won the championship.
The LCK championship cup was lifted for the first time in three years since 2021. I am curious about how you feel about reaching the finals and winning after such a long time.
First of all, I was nervous because it had been a long time since I had climbed to a high level and competed in a competition. (Laughs) At the same time, I also felt like it would be fun. I was really happy that I ended up winning.
Ahead of this season, he left his former team, Dplus Kia, with which he had been with since his debut, and transferred to Gen.G. I think it’s more meaningful because it’s my first win since leaving KIA.
Well… I chose (to transfer) because I wanted to make a change (to myself) and I really wanted to win. I came to Gen.G with the idea of having a new experience, and I’m really happy that I won as soon as I came. Still, there were still many competitions left (this year), so I decided to come back to my senses and do well.
‘Change’ is often mentioned as the reason for choosing to transfer. What is the biggest change you feel after moving to Gen.G?
I think after changing teams, I was able to express my opinions better when talking with my teammates or during practice. Because we talked a lot about the game with other members of the Gen.G team, I feel like I have become more flexible.
So, did you feel that this ‘change’ had an impact on the process of winning?
I think it also had an impact on winning. When I talk about the game with my teammates, I feel like my level of detail (in terms of the game) has improved because I cover everything from trivial to important things.
As if by a twist of fate, this season, they had a close battle with Def Kia in full sets every time they met, not only in the regular league but also in the playoffs. How did you feel when you faced your home team?
To be honest, I think I felt something like that during the regular league. (Laughs) When an important multi-game game like the playoffs starts, rather than paying attention to who the opposing team is, I look at the opposing champion and the team (at that moment). I think I was focused on thinking about the game.
I’m curious about what kind of conversation you had with ‘Showmaker’ Heo Su, who worked with you from your debut until last year, after winning.
After (Hsu Heo) won, he contacted me on KakaoTalk to congratulate me on having a great time in the finals, and I thanked him. Other than that, I don’t think there was much else to say.
What kind of player do you think Defender KIA jungler Choi ‘Lucid’ Yong-hyeok, who is said to be your successor, is?
I think he is a fundamentally good player rather than just any other player. When he looked back on this season, he felt that he was a good player because he always went to the full set with the dip.
Who did you think would be the final opponent among the two teams T1 and Hanwha Life Esports?
Still, I thought Hanwha would win because they won 3-0 against T1 in the first round of the playoffs. However, watching the two teams play, T1 did really well and I enjoyed watching it.
In a match point situation in the 4th set of the finals, I boldly chose Kha’Zix, who had never been used this season. I’m curious how this pick came to be.
In my professional career so far, I had more regrets when I lost in an important game without being able to use the cards I had practiced on. So, I think I used the picks I had been practicing since the day before the finals because I knew I would use them when the situation arose. As a team, we agreed to look at the combination and take it out if it was good.
What did you do during your break after the finals? I’m also curious about what you usually do when you take a break.
I had a vacation for about a week. I’m the type of person who doesn’t really go outside. Still, I spent time meeting friends and acquaintances for the first time in a long time. Usually, I just stay at home. (Laughs) When I meet up with my friends, we play games other than LoL. I usually enjoy playing Battlegrounds.
League of Legends is a game where the chemistry between midfield and jungle is important. How is your chemistry with ‘Chovy’ Jeong Ji-hoon, who has joined forces starting this season?
Honestly, I think it’s more important to understand how to win when each other enters the game and act quickly rather than mid-jungle hop. In that respect, I think Jihoon (Chovy) is consistently good at more than 90% of everything. I sometimes miss things too, but I try to do that as much as possible. In the end, I think it is important to maintain (performance) above 90 points on average.
Who is the spring finals MVP chosen by Canyon players?
Honestly, I think everyone did well, but I think Jihoon did the best throughout the 5 sets.
Kim Ki-in’s Chapagetti is a hot topic on Gen.G YouTube. I know he hasn’t shown his skills since coming to Gen.G, but did Ki-in cook some Chapagetti to celebrate his win and Finals MVP?
It hasn’t been boiled yet. (Laughs) I believe it will be cooked someday.
When Gen.G’s roster for this season was revealed, there was talk among fans that they were all too quiet and that they were “worried about communication.” If you look at recent competition audio or YouTube content, it seems like these concerns are overshadowed by a friendly atmosphere. Who is the mood maker for the team?
I think Siwoo hyung (Lehens Son Siwoo) has a good personality and is the type of person who accepts everything, so we all became comfortable together quickly.
I am curious as to how the increasing number of new events, such as League of Legends being adopted as an official sport at the Hangzhou Asian Games and various international competitions being held, stimulates me as a player.
I think that the increase in competitions itself is a great stimulus to athletes. Also, I think it will be a really good motivation if I win a new competition.
How does it feel to advance to the MSI (Mid-Season Invitational) for the first time in a long time since 2021?
I have never won MSI before, so this is a tournament I really wanted to win. I’m really happy that I got this opportunity and I plan to do my best to seize it.
Currently, all regional teams entering MSI have been confirmed. Is there a team you are most wary of?
I think all participating teams are good, but I think we can win if we play well. In the end, our team has to do (what it has to do) well.
BLG’s top laner Chen ‘Bin’ Zebin, who won the LPL championship in the Chinese league and will meet at MSI, expressed his ambition to achieve a grand slam this year. I wonder if you saw the interview.
(About the interview) I just heard about it, but to be honest, I think (all players) have the same goal, so I don’t think much of it.
Starting with this year’s MSI (Mid-Season Invitational), the winning team will be granted direct access to the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds Cup). Are you more motivated than before?
I don’t think there was much merit in MSI winning until now. Because there was a short period of time to prepare for the summer season after the competition (adapting to the new patch version, etc.), I thought there were also significant disadvantages. However, I think that giving a direct ticket will reduce the risk of wandering around in the early summer to some extent, so I think it is a very good change.
Lastly, please tell us about your determination for this MSI.
I will be participating in MSI for the first time in 3 years since 2021, and I remember unfortunately finishing in runner-up. I will definitely win (this year).
Reporter Juhyun Lee [email protected]
