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Keria (gamer)

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(Redirected from Ryu Min-seok)
In this Korean name, the family name is Ryu.

Keria
Keria after winning the 2023 World Championship
Current team
TeamT1
RoleSupport
GameLeague of Legends
LeagueLCK
Personal information
Name류민석
(Ryu Min-seok)
Nickname(s)The Genius Monster[a]
Born (2002-10-14) October 14, 2002 (age 22)
Busan, South Korea
Career information
Playing career2019–present
Team history
2020[b]DRX
2021–presentT1
Career highlights and awards
  • World champion (2023)
  • Esports World Cup champion (2024)
  • LCK champion
    • 2× LCK season MVP
    • 3× LCK Supporter of the Year
    • LCK Player of the Split
    • 6× LCK First All-Pro Team
    • 2× LCK Second All-Pro Team
    • LCK Third All-Pro Team
Medal record
Esports
Representing  South Korea
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Hangzhou League of Legends

Ryu Min-seok (Korean: 류민석; born October 14, 2002), better known as Keria, is a South Korean professional League of Legends player for T1. Throughout his career, he has won one League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) title and one League of Legends World Championship title. He also represented the South Korean national team at the 2022 Asian Games, earning a gold medal.

Keria began his career as a trainee on DragonX in 2018. He competed as a starter for the team beginning in 2020 and reached the LCK Finals in the Summer Split. For the 2021 season, Keria signed with T1. He has reached the LCK Finals five more times, winning it in the 2022 Spring Split. Keria has reached the knockout stage in the World Championship in each of his first four years of play, making it to the quarterfinals in 2020, semifinals in 2021, finals in 2022, and winning the World Championship in 2023.

Keria's individual accomplishments include accolades such becoming the first support player to win the LCK regular season MVP award, two LCK regular season MVP awards in total, three LCK Supporter of the Year awards, one LCK Player of the Split award, and six LCK First All-Pro Team designations.

Professional career

[edit]

DRX

[edit]

In 2018, Keria began his career by joining DragonX (DRX) as a trainee support player, and in November 2019, he was promoted from trainee to the main roster. He made his debut with the team on December 26, 2019, at the KeSPA Cup, where he secured a 2–0 victory against KeG Chungnam. Keria was named the MVP of the match.[1]

In his rookie season, the 2020 LCK Spring Split, Keria had the highest kill participation among all support players in the league at 77.4% through the first half of the regular season.[1] At the end of the regular season, Keria finished in third in the season MVP race, earned a spot on the LCK First All-Pro Team, and received the LCK Young Player Award.[2] DRX had a solid showing in the 2020 LCK Spring Split, finishing with a 14–4 record and on the back of a seven-game winning streak. They entered the playoffs with a bye to the second round but were eliminated in the semifinals by T1.[3][4] In the Summer Split regular season, Keria led all LCK support players in KDA and kill participation, also topping the league with 401 assists during the regular season.[5] DRX finished the regular season in second place with a 15–3 record.[6] In the playoffs, DRX reached the finals but experienced a one-sided defeat against DAMWON Gaming (DWG), with DWG winning 3–0.[7]

Entering the 2020 League of Legends World Championship as the LCK's second seed, DRX progressed beyond the group stage. However, their Worlds run ended in the playoff quarterfinals against DWG, mirroring their previous encounter in the LCK Summer Split Final. DWG secured a decisive 3–0 victory, resulting in DRX's exit from the Worlds tournament.[7][8]

T1

[edit]

On November 18, 2020, T1 officially announced the acquisition of Keria for the 2021 season.[2] Despite facing challenges early on in the 2021 LCK Spring Split regular season, T1 finished it with a five-game winning streak, securing a spot in the playoffs.[9] Recognized with the nickname "The Genius Monster,"[a] Keria earned a position on the LCK First All-Pro Team for the 2021 LCK Spring Split.[10] In the playoffs, T1 emerged victorious against DRX in the first round but lost to Gen.G in the second round, finishing the split in fourth place.[9] In the Summer Split, T1 finished fourth in the regular season standings with an 11–7 record.[11] Keria secured his second consecutive placement on the LCK First All-Pro team at the end of the regular season.[12] T1 advanced to the LCK Finals in the playoffs, but faced a defeat against DAMWON Gaming, settling for a second-place finish.[13]

In October 20221, T1 defeated Hanwha Life Esports in the LCK regional qualifier finals, securing their place in the group stage of the 2021 World Championship.[14] Progressing beyond the group stage, T1 advanced to the knockout semifinals, where they faced defeat against DWG.[15] In December, Keria was presented the 2021 LCK Supporter of the Year award.[16]

Keria winning his 1st LCK title

In the 2022 LCK Spring Split regular season, T1 achieved an unprecedented feat by concluding with an undefeated 18–0 record, marking the first time in LCK history that a team had accomplished such a perfect run.[17] Keria broke the record for the most assists in a single split, recording 462 assists and surpassing the previous record of 445 set by former SK Telecom T1 support, Lee "Wolf" Jae-wan. Keria's performance earned him the distinction of being named the 2022 LCK Regular Season MVP, making him the first support player to receive this honor. Additionally, he secured a spot on the 2022 LCK First All-Pro team.[18] T1 clinched the LCK title at the end of the split by defeating Gen.G on April 2, 2022, in the LCK Spring Finals, marking Keria's first LCK championship.[19] On April 29, 2022, T1 extended Keria's contract through the end of the 2023 season.[20] With the Spring Split title, Keria participated in his inaugural Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) as T1 qualified for the 2022 MSI as the LCK representative.[19] Although the team reached the finals, they experienced a defeat against Royal Never Give Up, securing a second-place finish.[21] During the 2022 LCK Summer Split, on July 7, Keria recorded his 2,500th assist in the LCK during a match against KT Rolster becoming the eighth support player and the 15th overall player in the LCK to reach this milestone.[22] After T1's win over DWG KIA in the 2022 LCK Summer Split playoff semifinals, Keria was looked visibly ill postgame. He expressed in an interview afterwards that he had been feeling unwell since July, with symptoms such as brain fog and dizziness.[23] T1 lost the 2022 Summer Split finals to Gen.G, finishing in second place.[24]

T1 entered the 2022 World Championship as the LCK's second seed.[25] Keria reached the Worlds finals for the first time in his career after T1 defeated JD Gaming in the semifinals.[26] However, T1 lost to DRX in the finals by a score of 2–3. After the loss, Keria was visibly upset, as the broadcast showed him shaking and tearing up.[27][28] At the end of the year, Keria was named the LCK Supporter of the Year.[29]

In the 2023 LCK Spring Split regular season, Keria earned the most Player of the Game awards, securing the Player of the Split title and becoming the first support player in LCK to achieve the recognition.[30] Alongside the entire starting T1 roster, he received a spot on the 2023 LCK Spring First All-Pro Team, and Keria was named the regular season MVP for the second time in his career.[31] Despite their regular season performance, T1 reached the Spring Split playoff finals but once again fell short against Gen.G, finishing in second place. With the second-place finish, T1 qualified for the 2023 Mid-Season Invitational.[32] At MSI, T1 reached the upper bracket finals but faced defeat against JD Gaming, sending them to the lower bracket finals, where they lost to Bilibili Gaming by a score of 1–3.[33][34] In July 2023, during the 2023 LCK Summer Split, T1 encountered challenges as mid laner Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok was sidelined due to a wrist injury. Keria's, as well as the entire team's, performance dipped during this period. Upon Faker's return, T1 won their final two matches, concluding the regular season in fifth place with a 9–9 record.[35] On August 20, 2023, Keria made his sixth LCK finals appearance, but T1 faced another defeat against Gen.G in the finals.[36]

Keria celebrating after winning the 2023 World Championship

T1 entered the 2023 World Championship as the LCK's second seed.[36] Keria reached his second consecutive appearance in the Worlds finals after T1 secured a victory over JD Gaming in the semifinals.[37] In the finals against Weibo Gaming, the first game saw both teams evenly matched until the 18-minute mark, when Keria executed a move called Hostile Takeover. This play allowed teammates Faker and Zeus to secure kills that enabling T1 to establish a significant lead and ultimately secure the victory in the game. T1 carried this momentum to win the following two games as well, resulting in a 3–0 victory and giving Keria his first World Championship title.[38] At the end of the year, Keria received his third consecutive LCK Supporter of the Year award.[39]

National team career

[edit]

Keria represented South Korea in the 2022 Asian Games one of the six members in the League of Legends division of the South Korea national esports team.[40] Keria clinched a gold medal as South Korea emerged victorious against Saudi Arabia, China, and Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, respectively.[41] With the gold medal, Keria received an exemption from mandatory military service.[42]

Seasons overview

[edit]
Year Team Domestic International
League Split Mid-Season Invitational World Championship
Spring Summer
2020 DRX LCK 3rd 2nd None held[c] 5th–8th
2021 T1 LCK 4th 2nd Did not qualify 3rd–4th
2022 LCK 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd
2023 LCK 2nd 2nd 3rd 1st
2024 LCK 2nd 3rd 3rd

Awards and honors

[edit]
International
LCK
  • One-time LCK champion – Spring 2022[19]
  • Two-time LCK Season MVP – Spring 2022, Spring 2023[31]
  • Three-time LCK Supporter of the Year – 2021,[16] 2022,[29] 2023[39]
  • One-time LCK Player of the Split – Spring 2023[31]
  • One-time LCK Young Player Award recipient – Spring 2020[2]
  • Six-time LCK All-Pro 1st Team – Spring 2020,[2] Spring 2021,[10] Summer 2021,[12] Spring 2022,[18] Spring 2023,[31] Spring 2024[44]
  • Two-time LCK All-Pro 2nd Team – Summer 2020,[45] Summer 2022[46]
  • One-time LCK All-Pro 3rd Team – Summer 2024
South Korea Esports
Media
  • Esports Awards PC Rookie of the Year – 2020[47]

Personal life

[edit]

Keria was born on October 14, 2002, in Busan, Korea. He began playing video games when he was four years old when his grandmother dropped him and his older brother, Ryu Tae-seok, off at a PC Bang while she was running errands. Raised by his brother, Keria began playing League of Legends in the fifth grade at his brother's suggestion. Although his initial interest in the game was modest, he was inspired after watching a highlight montage featuring the gameplay of Hong "MadLife" Min-gi. Within a span of six months, Keria climbed from the bronze tier to the diamond tier and nurtured aspirations of pursuing a professional career. After three years of play, Keria attained the Challenger rank in the game's solo queue mode.[1][48]

Keria is also known for his affinity for K-pop. After his team defeated JDG to win the semifinals of the 2023 World Championship, Keria vocally expressed his excitement about seeing NewJeans perform during the opening ceremony of the World Championship Finals. This moment gained attention, even reaching members Hanni and Minji.[49][50]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b In Korean, 역천괴 or Yeokcheon-goe
  2. ^ Also competed with DragonX in the 2019 KeSPA Cup
  3. ^ Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "서포터 최고 기대주 '케리아' 성장기" [The Growth of 'Keria', The Most Anticipated Support]. Red Bull (in Korean). March 31, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Jang, David (November 18, 2020). "[Official] T1 acquires Keria". InvenGlobal. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "DragonX roll into LCK playoffs with 7th straight win". Yahoo News. Reuters. April 16, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  4. ^ Lupasco, Cristian (April 22, 2020). "T1 advance to LCK Spring playoff finals after decisive win over DragonX". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  5. ^ Esguerra, Tyler (November 18, 2020). "T1 signs Keria as the team's starting support for 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Lupasco, Cristian (August 23, 2020). "Here are the 2020 LCK Summer Split standings". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Kwon, Daniel (September 5, 2020). "[LCK Finals] DAMWON Gaming sweeps DRX 3–0 to become the 2020 LCK Summer champions and LCK's 1st seed for Worlds". InvenGlobal. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Geddes, George (October 15, 2020). "DAMWON Gaming crush DRX 3–0 in first quarterfinals match at Worlds 2020". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  9. ^ a b An, Soo-min (April 15, 2021). "[LCK 스프링 결산] 말도 많고 탈도 많았던 T1의 스프링" [[LCK Spring Split] T1's spring, which was full of controversy and troubles]. 데일리e스포츠 (in Korean). Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Moon, Dae-chan; Kang, Han-gyeol; Kim, Chan-hong (April 6, 2021). "LCK 어워드, 쿠키뉴스는 이렇게 뽑았습니다". Kukmin Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Lupasco, Cristian (August 15, 2021). "Here are the 2021 LCK Summer Split standings". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Lupasco, Cristian (August 17, 2021). "LCK unveils 2021 Summer Split All-Pro teams". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  13. ^ Jeon, Young-jae (August 29, 2021). "DWG KIA beat T1 to take 2021 LCK Summit Split title". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  14. ^ Esguerra, Tyler (October 22, 2021). "Legacy triumphs over the future: T1 dominate Hanwha Life Esports to move on to Worlds 2021 semifinals". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Garcia, Ethan (October 30, 2021). "DWG KIA return to Worlds finals with victory over rivals T1". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Kim, Byeong-ho; Park, Tae-gyun (December 28, 2021). "시상식 참석한 유일한 서포터, T1 '케리아' 류민석" [The only supporter who attended the awards ceremony, T1 'Keria' Ryu Min-seok]. Inven (in Korean). Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  17. ^ Banerjee, Rijit (March 20, 2022). "T1 finish LCK Spring Split undefeated with perfect 18-0, Faker shines on Veigar". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Kelly, Michael (March 22, 2022). "Keria makes LCK history as first support to be crowned MVP in Korean league". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Kwon, Daniel (April 2, 2022). "T1 defeat Gen.G 3-1 and becomes 2022 LCK Spring Champions, will represent the LCK at MSI 2022". InvenGlobal. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Kim, Han-bin (April 29, 2022). "[공식] LCK 스프링 MVP '케리아' 류민석, 23년까지 재계약" [[Official] LCK spring MVP 'Keria' Ryu Min-seok renews contract until 2023]. 열린뉴스통신 (in Korean). Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  21. ^ Bernardo, Anna (May 29, 2022). "RNG win third-straight League of Legends MSI title after outlasting T1 in thrilling finals". Yahoo News. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Kim, Yong-woo (July 27, 2022). "[LCK] '케리아' 류민석, 데뷔 3년 만에 2,500 어시스트 달성" [[LCK] 'Keria' Ryu Min-seok achieves 2,500 assists in 3 years since debut]. 데일리e스포츠 (in Korean).
  23. ^ Mahato, Ashish (August 22, 2022). "'I was feeling dizzy': Keria addresses LCK fans' concerns regarding his health after DWG KIA series". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  24. ^ Ridsdale, Jack (December 22, 2022). "South Korea's T1 League of Legends team dominated throughout 2022". Red Bull. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  25. ^ Kelly, Michael (September 5, 2022). "All teams qualified for the 2022 League of Legends World Championship". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Park, Beom (October 30, 2022). "이번엔 '케리아'다! T1, 4세트 승리로 결승행" [[Worlds Cup] This time it's 'Keria'! T1 advances to finals with 4-set win]. Inven (in Korean). Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  27. ^ Miter, Mateusz (November 8, 2022). "'I hate that s**t': Tyler1 criticizes broadcast decision made during LoL Worlds 2022 final". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Kim, Chan (November 19, 2023). "지난해 오열했던 '케리아', 드디어 웃었다 [롤드컵]" ['Keria', who was sobbing last year, finally smiled [Worlds]]. Kukmin Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Chou, Ji-young (December 22, 2022). "2022년을 빛낸 서포터는 '케리아' 류민석!..."LCK 서포터가 모든 리그 중 가장 강해" [LCK 어워드]" [The supporter who shined in 2022 was 'Keria' Ryu Min-seok! "LCK supporters are the strongest among all leagues" [LCK Awards]]. Nate (in Korean). Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  30. ^ Jang, David (March 16, 2023). "T1 Keria becomes LCK's first support Player of the Split: "I hope no support does it again."". InvenGlobal. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  31. ^ a b c d Moon, Daechan (March 22, 2023). "T1, 사상 첫 전원 'LCK 퍼스트 팀' 선정... '케리아'는 3관왕 [LCK]" [T1 selects all members as 'LCK First Team' for the first time in history... 'Keria' wins 3 gold medals [LCK]]. Kukmin Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  32. ^ Xu, Davide (April 12, 2023). "LCK sets massive viewership record thanks to unexpected T1 vs. Gen.G Spring Split final". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  33. ^ Kim, Joo-hwan (May 19, 2023). "T1, MSI 2023 준결승서 JDG에 2-3 석패...20일 결승행 재도전". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  34. ^ Kim, Joo-hwan (May 21, 2023). "중국에 무너진 LCK 양대산맥...T1, MSI 준결승서 BLG에 1:3 패". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  35. ^ "'케리아' 류민석의 다짐, "페이커 복귀해 경기력 올라왔지만, 아직 갈 길 멀어"". Nate (in Korean). August 5, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  36. ^ a b Kim, Joo-hwan (August 20, 2023). "젠지, LoL 국내대회 3연패...LCK 서머 결승서 T1 완파(종합)". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  37. ^ 문, 대찬 (November 14, 2023). "[겜인싸] T1 '케리아' 류민석 "간절함 모여 결승행... 이번엔 다르다"". 디지털데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  38. ^ a b Ridsdale, Jack (November 20, 2023). "10 top moments from the 2023 League of Legends World Championship". Red Bull. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  39. ^ a b Jang, David; Kim, Soojin (December 13, 2023). "[2023 LCK Awards] T1 Sweeps Positional Player of the Year Awards". InvenGlobal. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  40. ^ Ye, Josh (May 24, 202). "South Korea's LoL team for 19th Asian Games features iconic stars, MVPs, and world champs". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  41. ^ a b Yang, Mary; Paik, Ji-hwan (September 29, 2023). "Korea takes League of Legends gold despite Faker absence". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  42. ^ Associated Press (September 30, 2023). "Asian Games 2023: South Korea's League of Legends esports gold – without the GOAT, Faker – earns military service exemption". South China Morning Post. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  43. ^ Rand, Emily (April 23, 2020). "Riot cancels Mid-Season Invitational, announces changes to worlds". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  44. ^ Lee, Yong-jun (March 26, 2024). "'쵸비' 정지훈, 스프링 정규 리그 MVP...어워드 '싹쓸이 3관왕'" ['Chovy' Jeong Ji-hoon, spring regular league MVP... won three awards in a 'sweep']. The Korea Daily (in Korean). Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  45. ^ Lupasco, Cristian (September 3, 2020). "LCK All-Pro teams unveiled, Damwon players secure 4 of 5 spots on first team". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  46. ^ Jang, David (August 16, 2022). "LCK Awards recipients for the 2022 summer split revealed". InvenGlobal. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  47. ^ Haring, Bruce (November 21, 2020). "2020 Esports Awards Honors Riot Games, Team Secret, Michal "Nisha" Jankowski". Deadline. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  48. ^ League of Legends Esports (May 27, 2022). Keria - The Genius Monster | CASE FILES. Retrieved December 7, 2023 – via YouTube.
  49. ^ Tuting, Kristine (November 10, 2023). "NewJeans inspires T1 Keria to advance to Worlds 2023 finals | ONE Esports". One Esports. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  50. ^ "NewJeans react to Keria yelling, "Here I Come, NewJeans!" after T1 advances to the 2023 League of Legends World Finals". Allkpop. November 12, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
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