After their win against T1 and qualifying for the EWC playoffs, Park "Viper" Do-hyeon sat down with us ahead of BLG's EWC run. Now six months into his move from the LCK to the LPL, the World Champion has reinvented himself as a mage and weak-side player after years as a bot lane hypercarry — all while coming off a painful MSI final loss to his former team, HLE.
What was the biggest adjustment moving back from the LCK to the LPL, and how do you feel BLG fits you now?
The largest shift was likely getting used to a more teamfight-focused style of play. So much unfolds in tiny windows that communication becomes crucial. That was the main change I had to work through, and by now I feel completely settled into the roster.
You lost the MSI final to HLE. After First Stand, you couldn't win with them last season when you were on the roster. What went through your mind losing to your former team in that final?
Naturally, it wasn't a pleasant experience. Yet I also understood how badly those players craved the win and how desperate they were, so I offered them my sincere congratulations on the victory.
It is kind of rare to see a player that can play all sorts of playstyles in the bot lane — How do you explain that you manage to be that complete as a player? And do you see yourself as the most complete AD carry in the world right now?
Yes. I always consider myself the best.
I also think that delivering no matter which role you're handed is part of what it takes to become the top player. In the last two years I frequently took on more of a carry role and was fed plenty of resources. This season, based on the team's identity and where the coach wants to steer us, there are moments when I have to take a more supportive role instead.
I'm aware that giving my all in that role can produce strong results too, and adjusting to those varied circumstances has always been a strength of mine.
What has that loss in the MSI final taught you that you take with you to this EWC, but that you will also take with you in the LPL and at Worlds?
This season we dropped a best-of-five at an international event. It taught us that even as a powerful team, we can still fall to anybody. It also drove home just how tough international play is. Against LCK teams in particular, we picked up a lot about which compositions to have ready once a series stretches to Games 4 and 5.
Do you consider BLG the best roster you've ever played for?
I've shared a stage with lots of different teams and teammates, but every single person on this lineup is enormously gifted. We've only been together for roughly six months, and the amount of progress we've already made proves what tremendous players they all are.
In my opinion, they are the best players you could possibly assemble in the LPL.
What do you expect from this EWC and the rest of the year ? Is your main goal to win Worlds this year? How do you view the rest of the year for BLG and for yourself?
What matters most is treating each remaining game the right way, but lifting the EWC would clearly feel amazing, so that's our short-term aim. We want to come home with the trophy, capture the LPL once more, and go all the way to the Worlds final.
Rapid Fire Questions
A brisk closing round — yes-or-no answers, with extra context if desired.
Who is the best player in history after Faker → Zeus.
Who is the most underrated League player? → Caps.
AP or AD bot? → AD.
Are you the best ADC in the world right now? → Yes.
Which league is the best: LCK or LPL? → LPL.
Best player you've ever faced on botlane? → Uzi.
What is the best team in modern LoL history? → BLG.
The hardest loss of your career? → Gen.G. (Worlds 2024).
Is the meta in a good state right now? → Yeah, good thing.
At the very top level, does the draft count for more than individual skill? → Yes, draft.
What champion you like playing the most? → Ezreal.
