In a dramatic lower bracket semifinal at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions, stunned audiences by dispatching in a match many had predicted to go the other way. Entering as underdogs, DRX delivered an incredible performance, securing the series in a convincing 2-0.
After the game, we had a chance to conduct an exclusive interview with Kim "" Myeong-kwan, DRX’s in-game leader. He opened the interview with humility and pride in the team’s ability to overcome predictions.
“I think today was definitely going to be a 2-0 game and it was anyone’s game. When we first took that map, I was like ‘Hey, the fate’s on our side today.’”
The Map Veto
The series began with PRX’s ban of Abyss, one of DRX’s best maps, while DRX themselves opted to ban Sunset, which was one of Paper Rex’s best. The Abyss ban could have easily rattled lesser teams, but not this iteration of DRX. The real story here was the level of calculation in DRX’s approach.
“We’re aware that other teams also know our Abyss is really good, so we thought, let’s divide and conquer. Let’s cover all the other maps we want to be more confident on, and we’re fully prepped for all maps in the veto.”
Instead of letting PRX control how the match would go, DRX took charge, showing they could handle any situation and adjust their strategies when needed. Their careful planning showed that they were ready for anything, and their own hard work and practice, not just luck, would decide the outcome.
Comparing Champions Runs
The lower bracket win marked DRX’s return to VALORANT Champions’ top three for the first time since 2022, an achievement that stirs nostalgia for MaKo. Back in 2022, he was the rookie, feeling miles apart from his veteran teammates – a sense of distance he described as “an invisible wall.”
Fast forward to today, and MaKo stands as the team’s leader, determined to break down those barriers for the next generation.
“Because I’ve been through that, I know what it feels like to be a rookie… I don’t want my teammates to feel like they have to blindly follow my lead. I want them to chime in and say their share so we can fight this journey as a team.”
This change goes beyond just tactics. MaKo’s growth as a leader has helped create a team where everyone feels they have a voice. His path from being the quiet rookie to an open, supportive captain reflects how DRX has become a closer, more communicative group, giving them more confidence to face anything on the international stage.
In a dramatic lower bracket semifinal at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions, stunned audiences by dispatching in a match many had predicted to go the other way. Entering as underdogs, DRX delivered an incredible performance, securing the series in a convincing 2-0.
After the game, we had a chance to conduct an exclusive interview with Kim "" Myeong-kwan, DRX’s in-game leader. He opened the interview with humility and pride in the team’s ability to overcome predictions.
The Map Veto
The series began with PRX’s ban of Abyss, one of DRX’s best maps, while DRX themselves opted to ban Sunset, which was one of Paper Rex’s best. The Abyss ban could have easily rattled lesser teams, but not this iteration of DRX. The real story here was the level of calculation in DRX’s approach.
Instead of letting PRX control how the match would go, DRX took charge, showing they could handle any situation and adjust their strategies when needed. Their careful planning showed that they were ready for anything, and their own hard work and practice, not just luck, would decide the outcome.
Comparing Champions Runs
The lower bracket win marked DRX’s return to VALORANT Champions’ top three for the first time since 2022, an achievement that stirs nostalgia for MaKo. Back in 2022, he was the rookie, feeling miles apart from his veteran teammates – a sense of distance he described as “an invisible wall.”
Fast forward to today, and MaKo stands as the team’s leader, determined to break down those barriers for the next generation.
This change goes beyond just tactics. MaKo’s growth as a leader has helped create a team where everyone feels they have a voice. His path from being the quiet rookie to an open, supportive captain reflects how DRX has become a closer, more communicative group, giving them more confidence to face anything on the international stage.