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Song “Smeb” Kyung-ho rose to prominence in 2015 after reaching the grand finals at Worlds. He and his teammates failed to topple SK Telecom T1 after a 4-game series. He returned in the following year to dominate the seen briefly earning him the title of the best player in the world. Smeb never secured a Summoner's Cup but he will be fondly remembered as one of the game's greatest players. The South Korean Top joins the hall of uncrowned kings as he enters retirement.
The long way down
For global fans
Read: https://t.co/nUBdM1I6hT
— Kyung Ho Song (@LOLSmeb) December 17, 2020
Smeb was most famous for his time with ROX Tigers. The Tigers can easily be considered the most fun team in LOL esports history. The players all seemed to be enjoying each game they played and it was apparent through brief captured moments on player cameras. Regardless of their lax demeanor, they were once one of the only teams able to stand up against SKT. At the time, SKT was still the dominant force of the region so it was a huge accomplishment.
The 2016 Worlds semifinals matchup between SKT and ROX is still one of the most exciting fights in the game's ten-year history. Both teams took the series to its absolute limit before SKT broke through with a 3-2 victory. It was an exciting Worlds moment but it would prove to be the final moment for ROX Tigers. The legendary Tigers lineup separated in the following roster shuffle and the organization was never the same again.
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The South Korean Top chose to try his luck with KT Rolster but the Summoner's Cup proved to be out of reach. He remained a consistent presence in the league but the level of fun just wasn't the same.
The last Tiger
Coincidentally, among the players of the legendary ROX Tigers, only one player remains active on the competitive scene. The only player that wasn't part of the 2015 grand finals lineup continues the good fight in the LCK. Han “Peanut” Wang-ho returned to South Korea after a brief stint in the Chinese league. He is the final original ROX Tigers member that is still in the running for a Summoner's Cup.
Smeb may be the fourth of the original Tigers to enter retirement but he is also perhaps the best-known player on the team. He wasn't called the best Top laner in the world for nothing. He earned that monicker by dominating every opponent that dared to lane against him, everyone except SKT that is. Even with no world championship title to his name, Smeb will always be remembered as one of the amazing players of League of Legends.
