HONG KONG — When Gen.G clinched its 2026 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Cup title on Sunday with a dominant 3-0 victory over BNK FearX, the reaction inside Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Arena was immediate and thunderous. Fans shouted, some leaping from their seats while others wiped away tears. Although the two teams who faced off for the title were Korean, much of the crowd was not. “I really had faith in Gen.G,” said Holly, a Hong Kong resident who began following the LCK and Gen.G star player Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon six months ago. What began as an effort to help her learn Korean has since turned into a passion. She now watches nearly every match online, drawn by the players’ dedication and competitiveness. She rarely watches the Chinese professional league. The sizable crowd that filled much of the 10,000-seat arena on Sunday reflected the global reach of Korea’s premier esports league. The LCK is widely regarded as the strongest and most prestigious regional competition in the entire League of Legends esports scene, boasting a record number of international titles and s