Hanwha Life Esports Team

Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) is one of the most renowned teams in the world of Korean esports, especially in the League of Legends (LoL) scene. The team’s story begins in 2018 when the major South Korean insurance company Hanwha Life Insurance acquired the esports organization ROX Tigers, marking its serious entry into the world of professional gaming.

Creation History

ROX Tigers was one of the brightest teams in the past, especially in 2016 when they reached the finals of the League of Legends World Championship. However, after this era of success and some roster changes, the team lost its former strength. In 2018, Hanwha Life Insurance bought ROX Tigers’ LCK (the professional Korean LoL league) slots, and based on this, the new team Hanwha Life Esports was formed. Thus, HLE continued the ROX legacy but under a new banner with new ambitions.

First Roster

The first HLE roster in 2018 included some players from the old ROX Tigers lineup as well as a few new promising players. The team looked like this:

• Top: Lindarang
• Jungle: SeongHwan
• Mid: Tempt
• ADC: Sangyoon
• Support: Key

This roster didn’t show outstanding results, but they were consistent mid-tier performers in the LCK. HLE couldn’t qualify for the 2018 World Championship, but they laid the foundation for the organization’s future ambitions.

Best Moments

Although HLE struggled to break into the top ranks of the Korean scene for a while, the team garnered attention due to its focus on long-term strategy. They prioritized young talent and player development through their academy, allowing the team to adapt to changing conditions and eventually reach a new level.

A key turning point came in 2021, when HLE managed to sign one of the best players in the world — Chovy. His arrival brought new life to the team, and HLE managed to qualify for the 2021 League of Legends World Championship. Although they didn’t reach the highest stages, just participating at that level after years of mid-tier results was a significant achievement for the organization.

Another milestone occurred in 2022, when HLE made an even bolder statement by signing the legendary Deft, a veteran of the Korean scene and one of the most famous AD carries in the world. This move signaled that Hanwha Life Esports was serious about competing for titles.

Present Day

By 2024, Hanwha Life Esports continues to be among the elite teams in the Korean esports scene. Though the road to the top hasn’t been easy, HLE has gone through numerous changes and adaptations, growing stronger with each new season. The team consistently strengthens its roster with both young talent and star players, all with one goal — to become the best team in the world in League of Legends.

Hanwha Life Esports is an example of how an organization can progress from mid-tier status to serious title contenders through well-thought-out strategy and talent development. While their best moment may still be ahead, they’ve already firmly established their name in esports history.