kyeahoo: "The Backdoor Was 100% My Call... Expecting a Rematch with C9"
Following Karmine Corp's 3-0 sweep against MVK in the Upper Bracket Round 2 of the 2026 LoL World Championship Play-In Stage, mid laner kyeahoo (Kang Yea-hoo) opened up about the series. While the victory was decisive, the third game proved to be a nail-biter that required a sudden tactical shift to secure the win.
The Decisive Macro Call
The turning point of Game 3 was a backdoor play that kyeahoo claims was entirely his initiative. Reflecting on recent bootcamp sessions in Korea, the mid laner noted that the team had previously struggled with macro management when opponents lacked Teleport. This time, he took control of the situation by applying pressure on a side lane.
"I was pushing bot, but the enemy kept failing to respond. So I called out, 'Kennen, use Teleport, and main force, engage the fight.' It was 100% my shotcall," kyeahoo explained. This decisive coordination allowed Karmine Corp to capitalize on their advantage and close out the series.
Overcoming Meta Shifts and Nerves
MVK attempted to disrupt the match with off-meta picks, including K'Sante and Kog'Maw in the mid lane. However, kyeahoo stated that he was prepared for such unconventional strategies. Having practiced against Kog'Maw—a champion MVK had utilized the previous day—he found the laning phase significantly more manageable.
The move to Europe also marked a personal milestone for the player. After struggling with nerves during his time in the LCK, kyeahoo made it a personal goal to master his composure within the LEC. He credited Head Coach Reapered (Bok Han-gyu) for his smooth transition, noting that the coach was instrumental in helping him navigate communication challenges in English.
Looking Ahead: The Cloud9 Rematch
After a disappointing third-place finish in the Summer playoffs, Karmine Corp found their rhythm again through a strategic break and a high-intensity bootcamp in Korea. Scrimming against top-tier teams from Korea and China helped rebuild the team's confidence and internal trust.
As the team prepares for the final match to secure a spot in the Swiss Stage, all eyes are on a potential showdown with Cloud9. While the first encounter was marred by nerves, kyeahoo believes the team is now ready to dominate. "If we meet them again, I think we'll win 3-0 or 3-1," he asserted, signaling that Karmine Corp is ready to move past their early-tournament jitters.
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