GEN Kiin: “I don’t personally believe that it’s inevitable for us to grab the title that easily […] we are all human as well.”
Interview conducted on First Stand Asset Day, March 15, 2026.
Q: You’re expected, by almost everyone — once again — to win this tournament easily. Do you already know those expectations? Do you see it the same way?
Kiin: No matter which tournament we attend, it feels like a lot of people definitely pick us as their favorites. And just because of that, I don’t personally believe that it’s inevitable for us to grab the title that easily. And I would like to say that we are all human as well, so I think it really depends on that day, how we’re feeling, and it does affect our form and it could mean that our performance is better or worse. So I think it’s just as important for us to prepare thoroughly and perform well on stage — that’s what it really takes for us to become the champion.
So I don’t want to really be too concerned about what others say, or whether we are the favorites. I think we just have to focus on what we are, what we do best.
Q: How has GEN’s condition been, without as much time to adjust?
Kiin: Our condition, I don’t think is too bad currently — we’re not really exactly feeling that much pressure from trying to get adapted and adjusted to the environment. I think we just have to make sure that we maintain it just as well on match days. I think that’s going to be the important part, and make sure that we can perform at our best.
Q: Are you aware that you’re the stuff of nightmares for many Western top laners, the way mid laners talk about Chovy? You’re seen as a perfect player who can play everything.
Kiin: Yeah, no, I actually have not heard of that until today. I think this is my first time ever hearing that. And about a lot of the players mentioning that and just referring to me as that kind of a player, honestly, just thinking back on my career, that is such a great thing — I feel great about hearing that.
[Earlier in] my professional career, I wasn’t able to attend that many international tournaments, but now that I’m able to face so many different overseas teams, considering the lack of appearances that I had internationally, I feel like that sort of reputation is honestly something to be grateful for and something to celebrate.
Q: You’re very stoic. It feels like you’re extremely locked in at all times — but is that something you control, or is it just a part of your personality? Or maybe I’m just not very funny, so you’re not smiling.
Kiin: No, it’s not that you’re not funny. It’s just that there’s a camera in front of me, so given that there’s potentially a lot of people watching me, I guess it’s just a part of my personality; I don’t like showing too much emotion like that.
Q: Like, in this picture of you lifting the trophy at the LCK cup — you’re not even smiling! Is that more about being an introvert in front of others, or anxiety about being perceived?
Kiin: Yeah, I think I’m definitely closer to being an introvert rather than being an extrovert. Just thinking back to the day we won LCK Cup, I don’t think we actually won in a dramatic fashion. So I think that was why it didn’t come to me as a bigger joy as compared to my first time lifting the trophy. I think that is part of what the truth was.
Maybe that photo doesn’t have me smiling, but I feel like I did smile. I think I remember myself smiling. Maybe my memory is skewed. I’m not sure.
Q: I think fans would love to see you show more emotion on-camera, no need to be shy.
Kiin: Understood.
Transcription assistance from @misaagamizz
Header Image Credit: Riot Games
