JD Gaming, led by head coach Yoon “Homme” Sung-young, is steadily progressing towards their ultimate goal of winning the Summoner’s Cup. Since Homme joined the team in LPL Summer 2018, they have been making strides, especially after the addition of Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok at the end of 2019. Their breakthrough came in LPL Spring 2020, where they clinched their first domestic title and secured a spot at Worlds, finishing 5th-8th. Homme took a break in 2021 to focus on his health and family, but returned in 2022 to guide JDG to victory in LPL Summer and a 3rd-4th place finish at Worlds.
In 2023, JD Gaming made two crucial roster adjustments by bringing in Worlds 2017 champion Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk and star mid laner Zhuo “knight” Ding. This year has been their most successful yet, as they achieved a clean sweep of titles, winning LPL Spring, MSI, and LPL Summer. Now, their sights are set on conquering Worlds.
In an exclusive interview with ONE Esports, Homme reflects on the team’s journey this year and shares his thoughts on what they need to do to succeed at Worlds 2023.
JDG’s Road to the Semifinals
During the Swiss stage, JDG emerged victorious against Team BDS, Bilibili Gaming, and LNG Esports, securing their spot in the quarterfinals. However, they faced a minor setback when they lost the first game against KT Rolster in the knockout stage. Homme acknowledged that their performance was not up to par, but he remains optimistic and believes that better communication is key to their success. Despite the initial stumble, JDG managed to win the next three games convincingly, securing their spot in the semifinals.
Preparing for the T1 Challenge
JDG’s next challenge is facing off against T1, the last-standing representative from the LCK. This matchup holds extra significance for JDG, as T1 knocked them out of the Worlds 2022 semifinals, ending their run. However, at MSI 2023, JDG managed to defeat T1 in the upper bracket semifinals before ultimately falling to Bilibili Gaming in the lower bracket finals. Homme acknowledges that T1 currently has great momentum, making this upcoming clash even more challenging. The pressure is on for JDG, as they aim to become royal roaders and all eyes are on them. Nevertheless, Homme remains confident that as long as they stick to their usual preparation and practice routines, avoid making mistakes, and focus on their own gameplay, they can overcome any opponent.
Homme’s Role in JDG’s Success
As a coach, Homme plays a crucial role in guiding the team through difficult moments. When the players are struggling on stage, he provides a fresh perspective and helps them refocus. Homme believes that his ability to bring the team together and help them gel is a challenging task, given the individual strengths of each player. This year, JDG has found a strong consistency that translates into results, and Homme attributes this to his role as head coach.
The Quest for Victory
For Homme, winning Worlds is the ultimate goal. It has been a long journey since he first joined JDG five years ago and even longer since he entered the League of Legends esports scene as a player. Winning the Summoner’s Cup would be a dream come true for him. However, he remains grounded and focused on the task at hand, knowing that anything can happen in the world of esports. Homme continues to work hard and give his best, hoping to achieve his end goal.
Stay tuned to ONE Esports for more updates on JD Gaming’s journey at Worlds 2023.
| Time | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Stage | JDG vs Team BDS | Win |
| Swiss Stage | JDG vs Bilibili Gaming | Win |
| Swiss Stage | JDG vs LNG Esports | Win |
| Quarterfinals | JDG vs KT Rolster | 3-1 (Loss) |
| Quarterfinals | JDG vs KT Rolster | 3-1 (Win) |
| Quarterfinals | JDG vs KT Rolster | 3-1 (Win) |
| Quarterfinals | JDG vs KT Rolster | 3-1 (Win) |
Source: ONEESPORTS
