T1 kkOma opens up about his biggest Worlds regret and vows to learn from his past mistakes

As one of League of Legends’ most decorated coaches, T1’s kkOma knows the taste of both victory and defeat. Reflecting on his long career, he admitted that the loss he regrets most came in 2017.

“As a coach, every loss leaves regrets, but the one I regret most is 2017, when we finished runner-up at Worlds. As time passes, I keep thinking that if I had done a better job then, the result might be different,” kkOma said in an interview with OSEN. 

The Worlds 2017 final remains one of the most talked-about moments in League history. SK Telecom T1 entered the series as the reigning three-time world champion, heavily favored to claim a fourth title. But against Samsung Galaxy, the team looked to have poor map control, which led to a 0-3 loss in the finals. CoreJJ and Ruler played exceptionally to propel Samsung Galaxy to their Worlds victory. 

This was the first time Faker and T1 had ever been swept in a Worlds final, and many believed this was the start of the SKT T1 dynasty’s fall. For kkOma, the defeat symbolized more than just a lost trophy, it was a moment that forced him to rethink his approach to preparation, adaptability, and player management at the highest level.

Even though the past cannot be changed, kkOma has turned those regrets into motivation. After several years away from T1, he returned to the organization with a clear purpose: to rebuild its identity and guide a new generation of players and the veteran player Faker to greatness. Under his leadership, T1 rediscovered their trademark discipline and adaptability, capturing back-to-back World Championships in 2023 and 2024.

The comeback completed a full-circle moment in his career and reinforced his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in League history. Now, as he leads T1 back into the Worlds 2025 final in China, kkOma says he wants to “stay locked in until the end and leave no regrets,” determined to help the team secure a historic three-peat on the international stage.

T1 will face KT Rolster in the grand final on Nov. 9 in Chengdu, a matchup loaded with Telecom War history and emotion between two of Korea’s most storied esports organizations.