Junlger Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok has been a part of JD Gaming since 2019 and has found a permanent place on the team. He has been working closely with head coach Yoon “Homme” Sung-young and describes their relationship as that of siblings outside the game. Together with top laner Bai “369” Jia-Hao and support Lou “MISSING” Yun-Feng, they have formed a tight-knit trio. In 2023, JD Gaming brought in two big names, Ruler and knight, to replace their bot laner and mid laner. This new lineup has achieved great success, winning multiple titles this year. However, managing egos has been a challenge due to the presence of premier players.
Kanavi shares his perspective on working with new teammates and how he has grown as a player. He mentions that it was initially challenging to synchronize playstyles with Ruler and knight, who came from different teams. However, they have now found a common direction. Kanavi admits that he tends to neglect the bot lane during scrims but pays more attention during tournaments, especially when they are at a disadvantage.
Kanavi is known for his effective communication with his teammates. He takes an objective approach to champion selection, even opting for off-meta picks like Nautilus in the jungle. He believes that each champion has its strengths and weaknesses and focuses on bringing out their characteristics. Kanavi is also one of the few junglers who excel on technically intensive champions like Lillia and Bel’Veth. He draws inspiration from players of all tiers and adapts their strategies to his own style.
Under the guidance of coach Homme, Kanavi has experienced significant growth and success. He won his first-ever title in LPL Spring 2020 and reached the Worlds 2020 quarterfinals. After a break, Homme returned in 2022 and led JD Gaming to victory in LPL Summer and the Worlds 2022 semifinals. Kanavi’s confidence in his skills has grown over time, and he now considers himself one of the top players. However, he acknowledges that achieving good results at this year’s Worlds will be a challenging task.
| Year | Achievements |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Loaned out from Griffin to JD Gaming |
| 2020 | Won LPL Spring, reached Worlds 2020 quarterfinals |
| 2022 | Won LPL Summer, reached Worlds 2022 semifinals |
| 2023 | Won LPL Spring, MSI 2023, and LPL Summer; Gold medal at Asian Games |
Source: ONEESPORTS
