The First Winner of the 2025 Korea Esports League
The first winner of the 2025 Korea Esports League (KEL) has emerged from a region-centered e-sports league. Yoo Chang-ho, representing the Jeonnam Dragons Esports team, was declared the champion in the final round of the event. This competition, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and supported by the Korea Esports Association, Krafton, Nimble Neuron, and Nexon Korea, showcased the talents of players across various regions.
Yoo Chang-ho dominated the preliminary rounds of the KEL "FC Mobile" event, which began in May. He displayed an impressive performance by winning all nine sets from the initial stage to the final. In the third round, Yoo defeated Lee Han-ul of Busan BeSPA with a set score of 2-0. In the final, Hong Ji-hong of FN Sejong, a traditional powerhouse who advanced through the loser group, managed to win all games in a row until overtime in the first and second sets. Hong eventually secured the third set to clinch a 3-0 victory, marking the end of a two-month journey filled with intense competition.
Yoo Chang-ho received a prize of 10 million won along with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award. He will also represent Korea in the international competition 'FC Professional Champions Cup' alongside Hong Ji-hong, the runner-up. Yoo, who works as a public servant on Jeju Island and participated in the competition, expressed his satisfaction: “It wasn’t easy to prepare for the competition while working, but I’m glad I won with a perfect score.” He highlighted that the KEL provided more actual competitions, allowing for better analysis of opponents and development of strategies, which led to favorable results. Meeting top-ranked players in person, whom he had only interacted with online, was also a significant experience.
Yoo also noted that FC Mobile users are excited to see their skills improve after watching the players’ games. He hopes for more participants in next year’s competition.
Expansion of the 2025 KEL
The 2025 KEL is a region-based e-sports league launched for the first time this year. Its primary goal is to help players enhance their capabilities, strengthen regional competitiveness, cultivate professional manpower, and create job opportunities. The league, which started in May, will continue until October, featuring three events: 'FC Mobile', 'Battleground Mobile', and 'Eternal Return'. These events may serve as a standard for selecting national teams in the future and aim to link with middle and high school competitions and national youth sports events to build a stronger foundation for school esports.
In the 'FC Mobile' event, 14 participants from eight local governments took part. 'Battleground Mobile' featured 16 teams, including nine regions and seed and partner teams. 'Eternal Return' had 12 regional teams competing in the league.
Offline competitions are being held in cities such as Busan, Gwangju, Gyeongnam, and Daejeon, where local e-sports stadiums have been established. The final rounds of 'Battleground Mobile' and 'Eternal Return' will be held on October 11 at the same venue.
There is high anticipation about whether e-sports games, content, and industrial capabilities, which have traditionally been concentrated in metropolitan areas, can spread to the regions through the KEL. More than 200 spectators attended the game site, enjoying the professional-level matches. The event is seen as a starting point, producing winners like Yoo Chang-ho, who had not been widely recognized by other players before.
Future Prospects and Regional Growth
The success of the 2025 KEL highlights the potential for growth in regional e-sports. By focusing on local talent and providing platforms for competition, the league aims to foster a more inclusive and diverse e-sports community. As the event continues to expand, it is expected to encourage more participation from different regions and contribute to the overall development of the industry.
With its emphasis on regional representation and skill development, the KEL is setting a new standard for e-sports in Korea. The league's efforts to integrate with educational institutions and youth competitions further underline its commitment to building a strong foundation for the future of e-sports. As more players take part and gain recognition, the impact of the KEL is likely to be felt across the country, paving the way for greater opportunities in the world of competitive gaming.