Dplus KIA

Team Overview

Dplus KIA, formerly known as DAMWON Gaming and later DWG KIA, is one of the most remarkable success stories in League of Legends esports. Based in Seoul, South Korea, the organization rose from humble amateur origins to claim the 2020 World Championship in just three years of professional competition, establishing one of the most rapid ascents to the summit of competitive League of Legends ever witnessed. Their journey from Challengers Korea upstarts to world champions is a testament to the power of homegrown talent development and the depth of Korean esports infrastructure.

Founded in 2017 by former amateur coach Yang Hyuk-mo, DAMWON Gaming began life as a small, relatively unknown Korean esports organization. The team first gained attention by winning the 2018 Korea Challenger League, earning promotion to the LCK for the 2019 season. What made their rise extraordinary was that the core of their roster — Nuguri, Canyon, ShowMaker, Ghost, and BeryL — had been developed almost entirely through the team's own pipeline rather than acquired from established organizations. This organic development approach stood in stark contrast to the roster-buying strategies employed by many of their competitors.

The DAMWON core quickly proved they belonged at the highest level. In their very first LCK split in Spring 2019, the team finished in a respectable 7th place, showing flashes of brilliance that hinted at the dominance to come. By Summer 2019, they had improved dramatically, finishing in the top four and qualifying for the World Championship in their debut year. Their performance at the 2019 Worlds in Europe turned heads across the international community, as the young Korean squad demonstrated aggressive, mechanically demanding gameplay that felt like a preview of a new era in Korean League of Legends.

The 2020 season saw DAMWON Gaming reach their peak. Dominating the LCK Summer split and sweeping through the 2020 World Championship in Shanghai, the team announced themselves as the new kings of League of Legends. Their style was characterized by unprecedented aggression across all three lanes, Canyon's revolutionary jungle pathing, and ShowMaker's ability to dominate the mid lane in ways that drew inevitable comparisons to Faker himself. The DAMWON roster didn't just win — they fundamentally changed how the game was played at the professional level.

In January 2021, the organization secured a naming rights deal with Kia Corporation, rebranding to DWG KIA. They followed their Worlds victory with a strong 2021 campaign, winning the LCK Spring title and reaching the 2021 Worlds finals before falling to Edward Gaming. The departure of top laner Nuguri to China's FunPlus Phoenix after the 2020 season altered the team's dynamic, but ShowMaker and Canyon continued to anchor one of the most formidable lineups in the LCK.

A further rebrand in late 2022 saw the organization become Dplus KIA, signaling a new chapter. While the team has experienced roster turnover since their championship era, the organization remains committed to competing at the highest level of the LCK. Dplus KIA's story serves as an inspiration to emerging teams throughout the Korean esports ecosystem, proving that championships can be built through development rather than just acquisition.

Championship History

Dplus KIA's championship history, while shorter than some of their LCK rivals, is remarkably concentrated. Their rapid ascent from amateur competition to world champions represents one of the most compressed timelines of success in esports history.

2020 World Championship — The Coronation

DAMWON Gaming entered the 2020 World Championship in Shanghai, China, as the LCK's first seed and one of the tournament favorites. The team had dominated the LCK Summer split with a playstyle that combined aggressive early game skirmishing with pristine macro execution. In the group stage, DAMWON went 4-0 in the first round robin, establishing themselves as the team to beat. Canyon's jungle dominance was particularly devastating, as his pathing innovations and champion pool depth left opposing junglers struggling to keep pace.

In the knockout stage, DAMWON defeated DRX 3-1 in the quarterfinals and then dismantled G2 Esports 3-1 in the semifinals, ending Europe's hopes of a repeat finals appearance. The grand final against China's Suning was the culmination of DAMWON's journey. Playing with supreme confidence, DAMWON won the series 3-1, with ShowMaker delivering a masterclass performance on Twisted Fate and Syndra across the series. Nuguri's dominant top lane play on Kennen in Game 4 sealed the championship in emphatic fashion. Canyon was named Finals MVP for his series-defining jungle performances, and DAMWON became only the second team since 2017 to break the LPL's hold on the Summoner's Cup.

2021 LCK Spring Championship

Following their Worlds triumph, DWG KIA entered the 2021 LCK Spring split as the undisputed favorites. Despite losing Nuguri to FPX, the team brought in Khan as his replacement and continued their dominant form. DWG KIA won the 2021 LCK Spring title, defeating Gen.G in the grand final and confirming their status as Korea's best. The championship showcased the team's ability to maintain elite performance despite significant roster changes, a testament to the strength of the ShowMaker-Canyon core.

2021 World Championship — Defending Champions' Run

DWG KIA's title defense at the 2021 Worlds in Reykjavik, Iceland, was one of the most compelling narratives of the tournament. The team fought through a competitive bracket to reach the grand final against Edward Gaming, where they ultimately fell 2-3 in a dramatic five-game series. ShowMaker's Sylas performance in Game 4 temporarily staved off elimination, but EDG's resilience proved too much in the deciding game. Despite the loss, DWG KIA's back-to-back Worlds finals appearances cemented their place among the greatest teams of the modern era.

2022 LCK Spring Championship

DWG KIA claimed their second LCK title in the 2022 Spring split, defeating T1 in a closely contested grand final. The victory demonstrated that even as the roster evolved — with Kellin replacing BeryL in the support position — the core competitive DNA of the organization remained intact. Canyon and ShowMaker continued to be the driving forces behind the team's success, delivering consistently elite performances throughout the split.

Performance History

The following table presents Dplus KIA's year-by-year results across major competitions, illustrating their meteoric rise and sustained competitiveness at the top of Korean League of Legends.

Notable Players

Dplus KIA's history is defined by a core group of exceptionally talented players who came together as unknowns and left as world champions. The organization's commitment to player development has produced some of the most iconic names in modern LCK history.

ShowMaker (Heo Su) — Mid Lane

ShowMaker is the face of Dplus KIA and one of the defining mid laners of the modern LCK era. Born on July 22, 2000, ShowMaker joined DAMWON Gaming's amateur roster and quickly established himself as a prodigious talent. His champion pool is extraordinarily deep, encompassing assassins, mages, and utility picks with equal proficiency. ShowMaker's mechanical precision, particularly his ability to find solo kills in high-pressure situations, has made him one of the most feared mid laners in the world. His performances at the 2020 and 2021 Worlds were consistently among the best at the tournament, and his Twisted Fate play during the 2020 Worlds run is considered a masterclass in roaming mid lane play. ShowMaker has won multiple LCK MVP awards and All-Pro selections, and his rivalry with Faker represents the most compelling individual matchup in modern LCK history. Despite offers from organizations across the LPL and LCK, ShowMaker has remained loyal to the DAMWON/Dplus lineage for the majority of his career.

Canyon (Kim Geon-bu) — Jungle

Canyon is widely regarded as the greatest jungler in League of Legends history. Born on June 18, 2001, Canyon joined DAMWON Gaming alongside ShowMaker and quickly formed what many consider the strongest mid-jungle duo the game has ever seen. Canyon's impact on professional League of Legends extends beyond individual performances; he fundamentally changed how the jungle role is played at the highest level. His farming efficiency, pathing innovation, and ability to exert pressure across the entire map simultaneously redefined the position's ceiling. Canyon's Nidalee, Graves, and Kindred became signature picks that opposing teams struggled to counter, and his Finals MVP performance at the 2020 Worlds cemented his status as the best jungler in the world. Canyon has won multiple LCK MVP awards and has been selected to the LCK All-Pro first team in multiple seasons, reflecting his sustained excellence at the highest level of competition.

Nuguri (Jang Ha-gwon) — Top Lane

Nuguri was the explosive top lane carry who completed DAMWON's championship trio. Known for his hyper-aggressive playstyle and willingness to play unconventional champions like Kennen and Vladimir in the top lane, Nuguri brought a dimension of unpredictability to DAMWON's lineup that opponents found nearly impossible to prepare for. His split-pushing prowess and teamfight flanking ability were critical components of DAMWON's 2020 championship run. Nuguri's Kennen performance in the 2020 Worlds finals is remembered as one of the most dominant individual showings in a championship-deciding game. After winning Worlds, Nuguri departed to FunPlus Phoenix in the LPL before returning to DWG KIA in 2022. His time away and subsequent return highlighted the unique chemistry that the original DAMWON core shared, though the team was unable to recapture their 2020 form upon his return.

BeryL (Cho Geon-hee) — Support

BeryL was the unconventional support player who became a cult figure during DAMWON's championship era. Known for his aggressive, roaming-heavy playstyle and his sometimes unorthodox champion selections, BeryL's approach to the support role was polarizing but undeniably effective during DAMWON's peak. His Pantheon and Leona play during the 2020 Worlds run provided critical engage tools that enabled DAMWON's aggressive teamfight compositions. Off the Rift, BeryL became known for his open enthusiasm for anime and gacha games, which he notably spent a significant portion of his Worlds prize money on — a story that became one of the most endearing anecdotes in esports history.

Ghost (Jang Yong-jun) — ADC

Ghost served as DAMWON's ADC during their championship era, providing a stable and reliable damage source that complemented the more flashy playstyles of his solo lane teammates. Ghost's strength lay in his consistency and positioning, particularly in late-game teamfights where his damage output was unfailingly high. While often overshadowed by the star power of ShowMaker, Canyon, and Nuguri, Ghost's contributions to DAMWON's success were essential. His Jhin and Ashe play became signature picks that facilitated DAMWON's team compositions during their 2020 Worlds campaign.

Infrastructure & Facilities

Dplus KIA operates a professional training facility in the Seoul metropolitan area, equipped with the standard amenities expected of a top-tier LCK organization. The facility includes dedicated practice rooms with high-end gaming equipment, coaching and analyst offices, a VOD review room for strategic preparation, and player living quarters designed to maximize comfort and minimize distractions during the competitive season.

The organization's infrastructure has evolved significantly since its amateur origins. In the early DAMWON Gaming era, the team operated with relatively modest facilities compared to the established LCK franchises. The partnership with Kia Corporation in 2021 brought substantial financial resources that enabled upgrades to the team's training environment, equipment, and support staff. Today, Dplus KIA's facility includes a physical fitness area, access to sports psychology services, and a content creation space for producing fan engagement material.

Like all LCK teams, Dplus KIA competes at LoL Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, which serves as the centralized venue for LCK matches. The team's proximity to the venue and the broader Seoul esports infrastructure provides access to a deep pool of scrim partners, coaching talent, and organizational resources that would be unavailable in most other regions. Seoul's concentration of LCK teams creates a competitive ecosystem that drives continuous improvement — a structural advantage that has contributed to the LCK's sustained international competitiveness.

The Kia Corporation partnership extends beyond naming rights. Kia provides logistical support, brand resources, and financial stability that allows Dplus KIA to invest in long-term player development and roster construction. The automotive giant's involvement in esports reflects the broader trend of major Korean corporations recognizing the marketing value and cultural relevance of competitive gaming in the Korean market.

Geographic Influence Score

EsportsAtlas assigns each team a Geographic Influence Score (GIS) based on several factors including regional dominance, international performance, player development and export rate, fan base reach, infrastructure investment, and cultural impact on the local esports ecosystem. Dplus KIA's GIS reflects their significant but relatively recent impact on the LCK landscape.

Dplus KIA's geographic influence is centered on Seoul, where they compete alongside Korea's other top franchises. Their influence is notable for the speed at which it was established. Prior to 2019, DAMWON Gaming was virtually unknown outside of the Korean amateur circuit. Within two years, they had won the World Championship and established themselves as one of the LCK's premier brands. This rapid ascent had a ripple effect throughout Korean esports, inspiring other developmental organizations and reinforcing the narrative that Korea's amateur-to-professional pipeline remains the world's most effective talent incubator.

Internationally, Dplus KIA's influence is most strongly felt in the meta-game impact of their championship era. Canyon's jungle innovations were adopted by junglers worldwide, and the aggressive, lane-dominant playstyle that DAMWON pioneered influenced how teams across all regions approached the game in subsequent seasons. The "DAMWON style" of relentless pressure and mechanical excellence became a reference point for coaching staffs from the LPL to the LCS.

Rivalries

Dplus KIA's rivalries are defined by the team's meteoric rise and the friction it created with Korea's established powers. Their matchups against the LCK's elite have produced some of the most intense series in the league's modern history.

Dplus KIA vs. T1

The rivalry between Dplus KIA and T1 is one of the most compelling narratives in modern LCK history. It represents a generational clash: the established dynasty of Faker and T1 against the upstart challengers led by ShowMaker and Canyon. DAMWON eliminated T1 from the 2020 Worlds in the semifinals, a result that signaled the shift of power within Korean esports. The two teams met again at the 2021 Worlds semifinals, with DWG KIA once again prevailing over T1. These results established ShowMaker as the most credible challenger to Faker's throne and created a personal rivalry between the two mid laners that has captivated LCK fans. Every regular season matchup between the two teams carries additional weight, as fans and analysts debate which mid laner and which organization represents the true pinnacle of Korean League of Legends.

Dplus KIA vs. Gen.G

The rivalry with Gen.G has intensified in recent years as both organizations compete for LCK supremacy in the post-T1 dominance era. Gen.G's acquisition of star players like Chovy and Peyz has created a competitive dynamic where Dplus KIA must constantly measure themselves against another roster built around elite individual talent. Their LCK playoff clashes have been consistently close, with both teams trading victories in best-of-five series that showcase the highest level of Korean League of Legends.

Dplus KIA vs. Edward Gaming

The rivalry with Edward Gaming stems from the 2021 Worlds finals, where DWG KIA's title defense fell short in a five-game series. The loss denied DWG KIA the chance to become the first repeat World Champions since SKT in 2016 and created a sense of unfinished business between the two organizations. The matchup also represents the broader LCK vs. LPL rivalry that has defined international League of Legends since 2018.

Current Roster

Dplus KIA's current roster reflects the organization's ongoing efforts to remain competitive at the top of the LCK while developing new talent alongside their veteran core.

ShowMaker and Canyon remain the foundational pieces of the Dplus KIA roster, carrying forward the competitive legacy established during the DAMWON era. The duo's sustained excellence at the highest level of Korean competition speaks to their remarkable talent and dedication. While the supporting cast around them has changed multiple times since the 2020 championship, ShowMaker and Canyon's presence ensures that Dplus KIA is always a threat in the LCK and on the international stage.

The organization also maintains a presence in the LCK Challengers League through their academy roster, which serves as a developmental pipeline for future LCK-level talent. This investment in player development reflects the philosophy that built DAMWON Gaming's original championship roster: that homegrown talent, properly nurtured, can compete with and overcome even the most established organizations in the world.

Legacy & Cultural Impact

Dplus KIA's legacy in esports is defined by the extraordinary story of their rise. The DAMWON Gaming narrative — from amateur unknowns to world champions in three years — is one of the most inspiring stories in competitive gaming history. It demonstrated that the LCK's ecosystem was capable of producing world-class talent outside of the established franchises, and it challenged the assumption that championships could only be won by organizations with decades of history and deep financial resources.

The impact of Canyon's innovations on the jungle role cannot be overstated. His approach to farming efficiency, counter-jungling, and map pressure fundamentally changed how the position is played at every level of professional League of Legends. Coaches and analysts across the world studied Canyon's pathing and decision-making, and his influence can be seen in the playstyles of top junglers across every major region. Canyon's legacy in the jungle role is comparable to Faker's legacy in the mid lane — he raised the ceiling of what was considered possible and forced every other practitioner of the role to elevate their game.

ShowMaker's emergence as a legitimate rival to Faker also had significant cultural impact within Korean esports. For years, the question of who was the best mid laner in Korea had a single, unquestioned answer. ShowMaker's sustained excellence forced a genuine debate that energized the LCK fanbase and created a compelling storyline that has driven viewership and engagement for multiple seasons.

"DAMWON's rise from Challengers Korea to World Champions in just three years is the greatest Cinderella story in League of Legends history. They proved that in Korean esports, excellence can emerge from anywhere." — LCK broadcast analysis

The Kia Corporation partnership represents another dimension of Dplus KIA's cultural significance. As one of the first major automotive brands to invest directly in a Korean esports organization through naming rights, Kia's involvement signaled that Korean corporate investment in esports was moving beyond the traditional telecommunications and technology sectors. This broadening of corporate interest has helped legitimize esports as a mainstream entertainment and marketing platform in South Korea and internationally.

Looking forward, Dplus KIA faces the challenge that confronts all championship organizations: maintaining competitiveness while the roster that defined their greatest era inevitably evolves. ShowMaker and Canyon remain among the best players in the world, but the LCK's competitive landscape grows more challenging each year. Whether Dplus KIA can return to the heights of their 2020-2021 dominance or must redefine their identity for a new era, their place in League of Legends history is secure. The DAMWON story will forever be cited as proof that in esports, greatness can emerge from the most unexpected places.