Starting his career back in KT Academy, VicLa steadily climbed his way as a mid laner in the League of Legends Championship Korea (LCK), before a challenging stint overseas in North America and China tested both his form and his confidence.
Talking to Dot Esports ahead of First Stand 2026, VicLa reflected on that journey leading to BNK FearX and how it reshaped his approach to the game, setting the stage for a more composed version of himself and a return to the LCK, where he is already surpassing his previous peak.
Finding his footing again in Korea
VicLa has already lived through multiple versions of himself as a pro. The hyped rookie at KT Rolster who rose through the academy system, the overseas experiment with FlyQuest in the LCS and Rare Atom in the LPL, and now a mid laner who sounds far more grounded in how he approaches the game.
When he looks back, the biggest shift in his gameplay is not mechanical, it is mental. “I learned how to not lose my mental fortitude,” he said, reflecting on his time abroad. “I think I had a pretty rough time overseas… I was always able to pick myself up and become an improved player.”
That stretch forced him to confront a flaw he now speaks about openly. “I think the biggest adjustment was my mentality,” VicLa explained. “Ever since 2022, I have always really rushed into things… there were so many moments where I just didn’t really think twice.”
Fixing that has changed how he experiences the game entirely. “It just feels a lot colder when I play,” he added, describing a version of himself that is less impulsive and far more controlled in high-pressure situations.
That reset also played a role in his decision to return to Korea.
After two years overseas, VicLa realized something fundamental about where he performs best. “I just felt like it didn’t really suit my playstyle,” he said. Beyond gameplay, communication mattered just as much. “Just being able to speak Korean… that’s something that I can eliminate from all the processes that I have to go through in my mind.”
Back in the LCK, the results followed, including standout performances and leading stats among mid laners at LCK Cup 2026, with the highest kills, according to Oracle’s Elixir.
But interestingly, VicLa is no longer framing his rise as a statement. “Instead of trying to prove a point, that mindset is always what tripped me over,” he admitted. “I just had to focus on carrying out my role perfectly and just doing what I do best.”
A voice in the game, and a fire for what’s next
That clarity shows up most in how VicLa now approaches the mid lane itself. Whether he is up against the very best or someone lower in the standings, the philosophy does not change.
“I just try to focus everything around the champion that I’m playing,” he said. “Make sure that I can get the most out of that champion, and just get the maximum output.”
Inside BFX, that mindset extends beyond mechanics. VicLa has naturally taken on a vocal role within the team, something that he missed doing during his time overseas. “I always try to bring up the first idea that happens to cross my mind,” he said. “I just happen to be that person who likes to talk a lot and think a lot… I try to get the team into the right direction.”
Outside the game, he shifts his focus to team morale. “I just try to make my team have a good time… make them laugh and make sure that they’re comfortable.”
Looking ahead to FST 2026, VicLa is already circling the names he wants to face, including “BLG knight and G2 Caps.” But the bigger picture matters more than any single matchup. “It’s always a good opportunity… being able to face all those great top-tier international teams is always going to pay off,” he said.
He’s already faced knight when the Foxes pushed the Chinese first seed to the final game but failed to take the series. He’s set to face G2 Caps next, and fans should be excited to see how that matchup unfolds. And when it comes to winning it all, the belief is simple, “I believe in our own ceiling… as long as we do well, we can definitely win.”
That belief is fueled by something deeper than just competition. For VicLa, the long grind of pro play still comes back to a single moment he keeps chasing.
“I think what really keeps me going is, honestly, just watching Worlds. The first thing is definitely all the support that I get from my fans, and having that feeling of, ‘Oh, I have to repay them,’” he said. “But whenever I see those players win at Worlds and see them smile, it actually fires something up from inside. I think to myself, I want to be there too, and I want to be like them.”
After everything—the setbacks, the reset, and the rebuild—VicLa is no longer rushing toward that stage. He is playing colder, thinking clearer, and this time, moving forward on his own terms.
