HLE Kanavi Shares Insights on His Team’s Comeback Strategy

Kanavi’s return to the LCK has been quite the rollercoaster. After establishing himself as one of the top junglers in the LPL, expectations soared when he joined Hanwha Life Esports. However, the team faced a shocking 10th-place finish at the LCK Cup, leading to criticism of both the roster and Kanavi’s signature aggressive jungle style.

Fast forward a few months, and the story has taken a dramatic turn.

Hanwha Life Esports bounced back to dominate the LCK regular season, securing the league’s top seed for MSI 2026 and entering the international tournament as one of the favorites. In a recent interview, Kanavi reflected on the team’s impressive turnaround, his adaptation to the LCK after seven years in China, and the international junglers he’s eager to challenge.

When asked about the transformation from the worst-performing team in the LCK Cup to the region’s top seed for MSI, Kanavi emphasized steady improvement rather than a single pivotal moment. He believes that every player gradually raised their individual performance while gaining a clearer understanding of each other’s expectations.

“Compared to the early stages of the year, I think we’ve all improved in terms of our individual skills,” Kanavi noted.

He explained that the roster became more aligned in their approach to the game, which naturally enhanced their coordination over time. “As time went on, we developed a better understanding of what we wanted from each other. This improved understanding ultimately boosted our team synergy and made us click better.”

This enhanced synergy has emerged as one of Hanwha Life’s key strengths as they head into MSI, showcasing a level of coordination that was lacking at the start of the season.

After spending seven years in the LPL, Kanavi returned to Korea with a unique style that sets him apart from many traditional LCK junglers. Known for his proactive pathing and quick decision-making, he admitted that adjusting to the LCK took some time. However, instead of abandoning the aggressive identity he honed in China, he now sees it as a significant advantage.

“I think it took me some time to better understand the LCK,” he said.

“My playstyle, shaped by my time in the LPL, often leads me back to that old approach. Recently, it’s been more effective in the LCK.”

Early in the season, Kanavi’s aggressive tactics faced heavy criticism as HLE struggled to find their footing. Rather than viewing the backlash as unjust, he accepted it as part of being a professional player.

“As a professional gamer, you can’t really avoid criticism if you don’t perform well,” he acknowledged. Given Hanwha Life’s last-place finish in the LCK Cup, he understood the scrutiny surrounding his performance and playstyle.

However, he believes that competitive results can shift public perception. “Now that we’re in first place, I think that’s why our fans view us positively. You just have to prove yourself with results in the end.”

Kanavi also credited his past success in China for the confidence to stick with his identity despite external noise. “Having experienced success in the LPL with that playstyle, I just had to believe in myself.”

As Hanwha Life’s teamwork improved throughout the split, he grew increasingly confident that his aggressive style would eventually yield results.

“I knew it would pay off in the end. So I was able to maintain my focus and keep a positive mindset.”

Looking ahead to the international stage, Kanavi highlighted four junglers he’s particularly excited to face. From the LPL, he mentioned Tian and Xun, noting he’s been following their recent matches. In the West, he’s intrigued by G2 Esports’ SkewMond and FlyQuest’s Inspired for their unconventional champion picks and unique jungle strategies.

“They’ve been using a lot of unexpected picks and showcasing surprising playstyles,” Kanavi said. He added that facing players willing to challenge the established meta would provide an exciting international test, especially given their success with those unconventional choices.

With HLE arriving at MSI as Korea’s top seed, Kanavi now has the chance to demonstrate that the aggressive style that defined his legendary LPL career can also lead to international success in the LCK era.

With T1 already eliminated by G2 Esports, Hanwha Life now carries Korea’s hopes into the MSI 2026 grand finals in South Korea. They face a formidable Bilibili Gaming roster chasing the Golden Road, setting the stage for one of the tournament’s biggest challenges for Kanavi and his team.