1. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Song Kyung-ho's professional journey in League of Legends began in the early 2010s, laying the groundwork for a career that would see him become one of the most prominent figures in esports.
1.1. Birth and Background
Song Kyung-ho was born on June 30, 1995, in South Korea. While specific details about his family background and early childhood are not widely publicized, his passion for competitive gaming developed at a young age, leading him to pursue a career in professional League of Legends.
1.2. Amateur and Early Professional Activities
Song Kyung-ho began his competitive League of Legends career in October 2012 as part of the amateur team known as Nab. His talent quickly caught the attention of professional organizations, and by February 2013, he officially joined Incredible Miracle's first team, often referred to as Incredible Miracle 1. This marked his entry into the LCK, the premier League of Legends league in South Korea, where he served as the team's starting top laner. This early period was foundational, allowing him to hone his skills and gain experience in the competitive landscape, despite the team's modest performance in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, which saw them typically finish in the lower half of the standings.
2. Professional Career
Smeb's professional career was characterized by his dynamic performances across several prominent teams, culminating in numerous championships and individual honors. His journey showcases a remarkable evolution in skill and strategic understanding, establishing him as one of the most impactful top laners in League of Legends history.
| Team | Year | Domestic | Mid-Season Invitational | World Championship | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | Spring | Summer | ||||
| Incredible Miracle | 2013 | Champions | 11th-12th | 13th-16th | - | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | Champions | 9th-12th | 13th-16th | - | Did not qualify | |
| ROX Tigers | 2015 | LCK | 2nd | 3rd | Did not qualify | 2nd |
| 2016 | LCK | 2nd | 1st | Did not qualify | 3rd-4th | |
| KT Rolster | 2017 | LCK | 2nd | 3rd | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | LCK | 3rd | 1st | Did not qualify | 5th-8th | |
| 2019 | LCK | 9th | 8th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
| 2020 | LCK | - | 6th | - | Did not qualify | |
2.1. Incredible Miracle (2013-2014)
Smeb's initial professional tenure was with Incredible Miracle (IM), which he joined in February 2013. During his time with IM, he served as the primary top laner for their first team, competing in the LCK. The 2013 season saw IM 1 finish 11th-12th in the Spring Champions and 13th-16th in the Summer Champions. He remained with the team for the 2014 season, where their performance continued to struggle, placing 9th-12th in Spring and 13th-16th in Summer. While this period did not yield significant team successes, it provided Smeb with crucial competitive experience in the nascent professional scene, allowing him to develop his skills and understanding of the game at the highest level.
2.2. ROX Tigers (2015-2016)
Smeb's career took a significant turn when he joined the ROX Tigers in November 2014, a team that would become one of the most beloved and dominant forces in League of Legends esports. The team, initially formed as Huya Tigers, later rebranded to GE Tigers before finally becoming ROX Tigers. The 2015 season marked a period of remarkable growth for Smeb and his team. They finished second in the LCK Spring 2015 and followed up with a third-place finish in the Summer season. On June 13, 2015, Smeb achieved a rare feat by securing a pentakill (defeating all five opposing champions in quick succession) while playing Riven against Jin Air Green Wings. His stellar individual performance at the League of Legends World Championship 2015 was particularly notable, as he consistently outperformed formidable opposing top laners such as ssumday and Heo "Huni" Seung-hoon, contributing significantly to ROX Tigers' advancement to the finals, where they ultimately finished as runners-up.
The 2016 season solidified Smeb's status as a world-class player. He maintained exceptional form throughout the LCK Spring season, earning the Regular Season MVP award. In the LCK Summer 2016, Smeb was instrumental in leading the ROX Tigers to their first-ever LCK championship, for which he received another Regular Season MVP award. Heading into the League of Legends World Championship 2016, Smeb was widely regarded as the top player globally, ranked No. 1 by Worlds analysts and No. 2 by ESPN. Despite their strong showing, the ROX Tigers were narrowly defeated 3-2 by their rivals, SK Telecom T1, in a memorable semifinal series.
2.3. KT Rolster (2017-2020)
Following his successful tenure with the ROX Tigers, Smeb joined KT Rolster in November 2016. In the 2017 LCK Spring season, Smeb delivered a consistent performance, helping KT Rolster secure a second-place finish. During the 2017 LCK Summer season, he showcased a remarkable resurgence in form, contributing to the team's third-place finish. Although KT Rolster did not qualify for the League of Legends World Championship 2017, they bounced back to win the KeSPA Cup 2017, with Smeb playing a pivotal role.
The 2018 LCK Spring season saw Smeb's performance fluctuate, but he achieved a significant personal milestone on March 1, 2018, by reaching 1,000 career kills in the LCK against KONGDOO MONSTER. He became only the sixth player in LCK history to reach this milestone, following illustrious names such as Faker, Pray, Bang, Score, and Kuro. Later in 2018, Smeb, alongside his KT Rolster teammates, had the honor of participating as a torch relay runner for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic torch relay. In the LCK Summer 2018, despite an inconsistent start, Smeb's form dramatically improved, helping KT Rolster clinch the LCK championship and secure a spot at the League of Legends World Championship 2018, where they reached the quarterfinals.
The 2019 season proved challenging for Smeb, as his performance saw a decline. KT Rolster finished ninth in LCK Spring and eighth in LCK Summer, with Smeb eventually losing his starting position to Kim "Kingen" Gyeong-ho. After announcing a temporary break from professional play, Smeb rejoined KT Rolster for the 2020 LCK Summer season. Upon his return, he demonstrated improved form and successfully reclaimed his role as the team's starting top laner.
3. Major Achievements and Awards
Throughout his illustrious career, Smeb accumulated a significant number of team championships and individual accolades, cementing his status as one of the most decorated players in League of Legends esports.
- ASRock March Show Tournament: Winner
- IEF 2014: Winner
- LCK Summer 2016: Champion
- KeSPA Cup 2016: Champion
- KeSPA Cup 2017: Champion
- LCK Summer 2018: Champion
Individual Awards:
- LCK Spring 2016: Regular Season MVP
- LCK Summer 2016: Regular Season MVP
- 2016 Korea e-Sports Awards: Top Laner Popularity Award
- Esports Hall of Fame: Heroes (Inductee)
Other Notable Finishes:
- Intel Extreme Masters Season VII World Championship: 5th-8th place
- Intel Extreme Masters Season IX World Championship: 3rd-4th place
- SBENU League of Legends Champions Korea Spring 2015: Runner-up
- League of Legends World Championship 2015: Runner-up
- Lotte Confectionery Coco Ball League of Legends Champions Korea Spring 2016: Runner-up
- League of Legends World Championship 2016: 3rd-4th place
- League of Legends All-Star Event 2016: Runner-up
- League of Legends Champions Korea Spring 2017: Runner-up
- Rift Rivals 2017: Runner-up
- Rift Rivals 2018: Runner-up
- League of Legends World Championship 2018: 5th-8th place
4. Retirement and Legacy
Smeb's retirement marked the end of an era for a player who profoundly influenced the competitive landscape of League of Legends. His consistent excellence and innovative playstyle left an indelible mark on the game.
4.1. Retirement Announcement
On December 17, 2020, Song Kyung-ho officially announced his retirement from professional League of Legends. The announcement concluded a remarkable career spanning eight years, during which he became one of the most celebrated figures in the esports community. His decision to retire came after a period of rejoining KT Rolster in the summer of 2020 and contributing to their performance, signifying the conclusion of his active competitive journey.
4.2. Assessment and Impact
Smeb is widely regarded by fans and experts alike as one of the greatest top laners in the history of League of Legends. His prime years, particularly with the ROX Tigers, showcased an unparalleled ability to carry games from the top lane, combining aggressive mechanics with astute strategic decision-making. His impact extended beyond individual statistics; he was a leader who inspired his teammates and elevated the play of those around him. Smeb's innovative champion pool and his ability to adapt to meta changes influenced how the top lane role was perceived and played at the highest level.
His legacy is further solidified by his numerous achievements, including multiple LCK titles, a KeSPA Cup championship, and a runner-up finish at the World Championship. The fact that he was ranked among the world's top players by analysts and major sports outlets like ESPN during his peak speaks volumes about his global recognition and skill. Furthermore, his induction into the Esports Hall of Fame's "Heroes" section is a testament to his enduring contributions and impact on the League of Legends esports ecosystem, recognizing him as a true pioneer and a figure who helped define the golden age of Korean League of Legends.