Match 2 of 2022 LCK Spring playoffs round 1 saw Kwangdong Freecs face off against DRX. It was a series that went to game 5, and even until the end, it was hard to predict which team would come out on top. In the end, KDF were able to close out the series against DRX 3-2, and will be facing T1 in match 1 of round 2, 2022 LCK Spring playoffs.

The head coach and bot laner for KDF, Jang “Cain” Nu-ri and Park “Teddy” Jin-seong joined the press room for a post-match interview.

How do you feel about beating DRX tonight and moving onto round 2 of the playoffs?

Cain: It was a hard match, but we were able to win because the players maintained their focus until the end. It’s a hard-fought victory for sure.

Teddy: It was definitely a hard match against DRX tonight. Like Cain said, we were able to win because we remained focused until the very end.

Did you expect the series to go to game 5?

Cain: Based on the overall level of experience that our players had, we still lacked enough experience to thrive in the playoffs, so I somewhat expected it. However, I firmly believed that we’d win in the end.

Teddy: It was hard to stay focused when the series went to game 5. I tried to stay focused by taking deep breaths.

[To Teddy] Tell us about your Miss Fortune pick in game 1 & 2.

During practice, I thought that MF is a very good champion, so we decided to draft her in game 1 and 2. We won in game 1, but in game 2, we were not able to chain our abilities well in a critical moment. That snowballed to us becoming helpless against the enemy Twisted Fate.

[To Cain] Not only was KDF’s overall record against DRX was poor leading up to tonight’s series, the team also didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for tonight’s Bo5. Tell us how the team prepped for tonight.

In our match against DRX in round 2 of the regular split, we almost took a perfect victory in game 1 of the series. While we lost to them 2-1, our win in game 1 gave us hope that we can beat them. I thought that DRX will look to heavily skirmish against us, but they played defensively, so even though we had an early lead, they were able to make a comeback. Still, I’m relieved that we won.

[To Cain] Can you tell us why the team drafted Urgot in game 4 [for Kiin]?

Urgot’s one of many champions that Kiin’s especially good at, and we felt that Urgot was the right choice to face DRX’s team comp in game 4. He’s a good pick into Gragas in the current meta, and we thought he’d be a good pick to clean up teamfights.

[To Teddy] Heading into tonight’s match, you had a 12-12 overall match record, and a 29-28 set record against Deft. Tell us how the matchup went against him tonight.

I really like him. He’s a superb bot laner who positions incredibly well. I’m very happy that I beat him after such a heated battle.

T1 chose KDF as their round 2 opponents in the playoffs. For Teddy, it feels like you have a better understanding of the players as you’ve been with them until last year.

Cain: They’re a monstrous team who went undefeated during the regular split. T1’s definitely a tough team to face, but I hope our boys will face them with confidence.

Teddy: T1 and Gen.G are both tough teams. When I heard that we’re going to face T1 on our way to the press room, I bursted out laughing at the irony of facing the team I’ve been a part of for so long. 

[To Teddy] Tell us you foresee the matchup against Gumayusi in the match against T1.

He’s an incredible player. I mean, everyone on T1’s very good, but he’s also an incredibly gifted individual. It brings me joy to think that there’s another great bot laner I have to beat.

[To Cain] Which player do you think KDF have to be especially wary of?

I think it’s Keria. Obviously, all the other players are really good as well, but I feel that if we formulate our game plan to focus on him, I think we’ll have a chance to beat them.

Lastly, is there anything you’d like to say?

Cain: I want to thank FATE for performing so well tonight, even when he wasn’t feeling very well. I also want to thank Teddy for staying vigilant and making great plays until the end. [Looks to Teddy and says] Thanks, Teddy [laughter].