Until next time, Peanut

Here you won’t find any analysis of Peanut’s play. There’s plenty of more capable people able to tell you just how good his Vi, Nidalee, Maokai, or Sejuani were. This is just the story of how I started rooting for Peanut almost ten years ago, and the regret of cheering against him that one time.

I didn’t watch enough LCK in 2015 to get a glimpse of Peanut in his early days at NaJin. So the truth is, I first became a fan of the team where he was later able to showcase his skill to the world, the ROX Tigers (known as the KOO Tigers in 2015). How did I become a fan? Pretty simple. I always cheer for the underdogs. And SKT having already won Worlds two years prior, I really wanted the Tigers to win this one. Only later did I realize how unique their chemistry was, and how cheerful and skillful they were. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. They fell 1-3 to what eventually would become the greatest esport team ever.

It was the following year when Han “Peanut” Wangho made it into the roster, taking Hojin’s place. It was quite funny watching a small guy (even by korean gamer standards) tear up the rift. And always with a smile on his face. The semifinal where they ultimately fell against SKT again is in contention for one of the best Bo5s of League. I really believed this was it. So when their nexus exploded in game five, that’s when I decided I had enough of Faker and SKT. I needed them to lose. So naturally, I also became a Samsung fan during those finals. Unfortunately for my hate-watching, after another four grueling games, SKT rose again 3-2. The image of the defeated Crown, the last to get up from his chair, is imprinted in my memories.

And that’s where the story ends for the ROX Tigers. They split into different teams. Peanut, thanks to his impressive performances, earned his place in the grand SK Telecom T1. You might think that when Peanut reached the finals at Worlds 2017 with them, I was cheering for him. Truth is, Crown’s anguish the year prior, Ambition’s redemption story, and my hatred for SKT, made me keep rooting for Samsung. It did make me sad to go against Peanut, but back then I didn’t know that was the closest he was going to get to lifting the Worlds trophy.

I got my wish granted. At long last, SKT was defeated. Although nothing could have prepared me for the heartbreaking scene of Faker sobbing on stage, and watching Peanut holding this awkward smile. Because that’s what he does when a smile isn’t in order. He awkwardly smiles.

I’m not gonna expand on every single Worlds after 2017. I believe just showing the beginning is enough for you to maybe understand the guilt I feel for cheering against him once. He was on ROX, lost to SKT. Went to SKT, lost to Samsung. Then he went to Gen.G (formerly Samsung) and lost to BLG and later DRX. Went to HLE, and lost to Gen.G. And now he’s gone to mandatory military service. Competition can be really cruel sometimes.

I guess the reason I really like him is because I know how much being a jungler asks (and takes) from you. Despite that, and the unfortunate timing of his roster moves, Peanut never lost his smile. Couple that with his longevity at the absolute top level of the esport, and for me, Peanut is always going to be the greatest jungler.

I learned to cheer for SKT just for you. I even played with your translated nickname for a while, SKT T1 Cacahuate! So I’ll always root for you, Peanut!

BONUS! The best video of the Tigers <3.

And some last pictures ❤