FunPlus Phoenix - League of Legends

Formation and Early Years

FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) was established on December 20, 2017, when FunPlus acquired a spot in the League of Legends Pro League (LPL). The inaugural roster featured top laner Kim "GimGoon" Han-saem, jungler Hu "Pepper" Zhiwei, mid laner Feng "Bing" Jinwei, bot laner Lin "Lwx" Wei-Xiang, and support Liu "Crisp" Qing-Song. Their competitive debut was at the 2017 Demacia Championship, where they secured a 9th–15th place finish after a 2-1 loss to Team WE. (en.wikipedia.org)

2019: The Year of Glory

The 2019 season marked a transformative period for FPX. Key roster additions included jungler Gao "Tian" Tian-Liang and mid laner Kim "Doinb" Tae-sang. This revamped lineup led to a dominant performance in the LPL Summer Split, culminating in a 3-1 victory over Royal Never Give Up in the finals. Their success continued at the 2019 League of Legends World Championship, where they swept G2 Esports 3-0 in the finals, securing China's second consecutive Worlds title. (polygon.com)

Notable Players

• Kim "GimGoon" Han-saem: The team's top laner since its inception, known for his consistent and reliable gameplay.

• Gao "Tian" Tian-Liang: The jungler who earned Finals MVP at the 2019 World Championship for his exceptional performance.

• Kim "Doinb" Tae-sang: The mid laner celebrated for his unconventional champion picks and strategic playmaking.

Legacy and Impact

FPX's 2019 World Championship victory not only elevated the team's status but also contributed to the growing prominence of Chinese teams on the international esports stage. Their innovative strategies and team synergy set a new standard for competitive play in the LPL and beyond.

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Written on May 2, 2025 3:34 PM