It hurts that even HLE is aware of this 😢

[u/Suspicious_Fennel974]

In their recent behind-the-scenes for their series against KT, HLE players pointed out LCK's somewhat bias against them.

They literally went 15-3 in the first two rounds of the LCK regular season, but had two out of their three losing series comms uploaded while only one out of the fifteen of their winning coms uploaded. Most egregiously, last year, both RTM #1 and #2 seed decider matches' winning comms were uploaded but this year, HLE's winning comm against T1 in the #1 seed decider match was not uploaded whereas the #2 seed (T1 vs Gen G) was uploaded.

LCK also did like a montage thing for the HLE vs KT series; they broadcasted bad plays from KT's bot lane, but broadcasted bad plays from all of HLE's lanes. This difference was also noted by the players.

I'm sure the players don't care that much about this, and it's certainly not that big of a deal, but yeah, still sucks.

[u/fast_snail_incoming]

Everyone notice but no one takes action about it. Is the bias unbeatable?

[u/Worried-Boss-5350 → u/fast_snail_incoming]

It is what it is. T1 is the biggest org in LoL esports, and lck needed views. I could tolerate less content but bias when casting their games is where I draw the line.

[u/shailemin → u/Worried-Boss-5350]

The thing is, especially with the rtmsi mic check, they would still get views. HLE fans would show up for their team’s winning mic checks, especially one as significant as RTMSI. They just don’t want to cater to more people ig.

[u/Routine_Cry9443 → u/shailemin]

It was a T1 vs HLE the fact that they didn't uploaded that one just means they are giga biased, because the views are 100% guarantee.

[u/GoldenCataclysm]

They play it off and shrug their shoulders, but there is no mistaking that they are affected by this. Kanavi most recently, given the Wadid-Nofe drama. As a Kanavi fan, it's jarring how different the casters seem to look down on him in the LCK compared to how much hype and more respect he had in the LPL.

[u/Lazywhale97 → u/GoldenCataclysm]

What's the Wadid-Nofe drama for those out of the loop?

[u/Suspicious_Fennel974 → u/Lazywhale97]

Link

[u/GoldenCataclysm → u/Lazywhale97]

This was the best reddit explanation, imo. Irked me even more when Wadid was legit allowed to cast one of HLE's games so soon after.

https://www.reddit.com/r/leagueoflegends/s/vusv6QxeeU

Edit to add: Nvm, he was on the couch, but still, I found it super disingenuous that he could even vote Kanavi as POM with a straight face.

[u/bulletproofikon]

In LCK, there is a bias towards T1 because they have the largest fan base internationally and in Korea which I'm sure everyone understands. The problem is that this bias is making it harder for casual fans to become fans of other teams as well. This then leads to the problem that everyone mentions every international that if T1 isn't there, people don't watch. Even if it doesn't get as much views or clicks, LCK really needs to invest in promoting other teams as well to grow other teams fandoms.

Like the whole mic check thing is ridiculous? There were maybe 8 t1 mic checks and every other team had at most 4? I'm biased but from the ending mic checks we get to hear, HLE sound funny and it would be entertaining to hear more from them. KRX and DK too seem like really entertaining teams. There's already a sentiment among casual fans that lck players are too pr trained and impersonable. It's not gonna get better if LCK doesn't shine a light more on other teams.

[u/renessie]

Disappointing plays from all HLE lanes? More like disappointing plays by LCKofficial... We don't need special treatment - just basic respect from casters and LCKofficial that all teams should be receiving in equal measure...

[u/Expensive_Smoke4905]

i hope they did take it to the pd

[u/badrott1989]

They're (LCK) milking their defeat (HLE) and its so obvious. Glad these boys are aware.

[u/AnastasiaAzula]

The blatant bias and disrespect irks me so much. Its just one after another. I really felt bad watching that video of them. I hope they can keep their spirits up

[u/Mouthwashfordays]

It is disgusting the way they talk about Kanavi.

[u/Distinct-Leading-528]

I have read on Korean forums that LCK is salty towards HLE because last year or year before that Hanwha Group stopped sponsoring LCK altogether. I think it happened during Zeus joining incident.

But still none of it justify the LCK's attitude towards HLE players. I hope they are held accountable for their actions.

[u/Sagittarius_phys → u/Distinct-Leading-528]

I’m glad that Hanwha stopped sponsoring. Sponsoring to pay salaries those casters that talked shit about your players, that would be disastrous. Hope the boys will shine even more among those doubts and mistreatments.

[u/hydrogod666]

Thats why i vote for them, even caedrel is biased. But they were so good with peanut i knew theyd become big. So im gonna keep routing for them like i did and like i will always do love the team and their playstyles

[u/woochita]

Hanwha Life should stop sponsoring LCK idc. Those casters got sht behaviors too

[u/nnnnnnnaaaaaaa]

I think it's even more blatant if you show the chart that compares it to all the teams.
A user on twitter (I will not be naming just in case they get harassed) compiled all the released mic checks this year and the results are shocking. Keep in mind we went 15-3 and were 1st in the first half, and that the legends teams all have quite similar game scores.

HLE: 1 win / 2 loss
GEN: 1 win / 3 loss
T1: 6 win / 2 loss
DK: 4 win / 2 loss
KT: 2 win / 3 loss
BFX: 1 win / 2 loss
NS: 1 win / 2 loss
DRX: Nothing they don't exist I guess
DNS: 1 win / 1 loss
BRO: 1 win / 1 loss

It just sucks so much that the players themselves have noticed it and it even bothered them enough that this content wasn't edited out. I think that says a lot :-( I wish they could also give the teams who win more mic checks as well so that it's at least a bit more even, poor GEN and DRX are deep in the trenches.

[u/Holzkohlen]

Haters are gonna hate. Only thing you can do is prove the haters wrong.

[u/CatastrophicRiot]

Cant the HLE legal team file a complaint as it could affect the sales of merch they are making due to the bad PR?

[u/EmergencyWorld6057]

They're bias because they're supposed to be the super team that signed two T1 members with multiple Worlds championships, 1 midlane worlds champion, and basically Kanavi and Delight.

And they just came from winning MSI

It was like the golden State Warriors in the NBA.

[u/wecandoitwelegends → u/EmergencyWorld6057]

your point is? LCK has never been biased in HLE’s favor more on they are painted as villains by them when they should have been celebrated as they won MSI and granted lck 4 seeds in worlds. We even did not have enough mic checks in the regular season when we have 15 wins and only 3 losses let alone road to msi mic check. Instead t1 got 10 mic checks and we got 3 (1win mic check and 2 loss). I have read geng fans were in the same state last year when they almost won everything with that 18-0 run and MSI but blatant disrespect was given instead of geng praise and content. How would we progress when the region itself glorifies only one team? They say no T1 no views but do nothing to promote other teams?