Foreword: To everyone's surprise, IG, which LPL analysts had forecast to fall in the second round of the LPL playoffs, has been repeatedly breaking records during this postseason, emerging as the first LPL team to go from the Relegation Group all the way to the Regional Finals.

It is worth noting that when TheShy announced his return to IG, many viewers thought the team was just chasing hype. Some even joked that IG's chances of qualifying for Worlds were as difficult as winning a world championship, since they had to start from the Relegation Group without losing a single BO5. Losing any BO5 would have likely cost them a spot in the Regional Finals. Yet IG continued to create history, ultimately defeating TT, TES, WE, and LGD in a row to earn their place in the Regional Finals.

IG's performance this season can truly be called a miracle. Ever since they started from the Relegation Group, external discussions and controversies surrounding IG have been constant. First, a large group of IG fans "pressured the management" to dismiss support Meiko and bring in a replacement. Then all IG players publicly came out to support Meiko. After the roster change turmoil subsided, IG suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of fellow Relegation Group team NIP. At that point, many viewers mocked IG for lacking strength. Even renowned LPL caster Miller stated in a video that, given IG's potential ceiling, reaching the second round of the LPL playoffs would already be a success.

However, IG kept breaking new ground in the playoffs. As a Relegation Group team, they first eliminated the Summit Group's "king of internal battles," TES, becoming the first LPL Relegation Group team to defeat a Summit Group team in the playoffs. Then IG overcame the second-stage dark horse WE, and finally swept LGD 3-0 in the decisive match, making them the first team in LPL history to advance from the Relegation Group to the Regional Finals. As IG continued to improve and grow, many LPL casters and streamers changed their assessment of IG's strength. Even Miller posted a message cheering for IG, saying their performance was incredibly fierce.

Currently, IG has advanced to the top three in the LPL. Many IG fans are full of hope for the team's future, with some even joking, "Plans have changed—get ready to win the championship." Given IG's current World Championship points, even if they finish as LPL runner-up, their total points won't be enough to qualify for Worlds. For IG to directly qualify, they must defeat AL to reach the finals and then beat BLG in the final. Of course, most viewers believe that even in the Regional Finals, IG could easily defeat TES, since TES couldn't even beat LGD.

TheShy responds to eliminating Liu Qingsong.

After IG advanced to the LPL Regional Finals, the dark horse team LGD was unable to participate in the subsequent qualifiers due to points. Coincidentally, LGD's support player Liu Qingsong is a former teammate of TheShy. During the post-match interview, a host asked TheShy, "How do you feel about facing Liu Qingsong again after so many years?" TheShy replied that among his professional relationships, there are not many players he is close with, but Liu Qingsong is one of his good friends.

After being eliminated, Liu Qingsong responded on his social media regarding LGD missing Worlds. He first thanked fans for their support, then expressed that although LGD didn't make it to Worlds, he was relatively satisfied with the team's top-four finish. Many viewers and LPL insiders believe that if LGD were to replace their AD carry, they would definitely become a dark horse next year. Those who watched the BO5 between IG and LGD would know that the performance of AD player shaoye was truly abstract (i.e., terrible).

Conclusion

Liu Qingsong is considered a veteran in the LPL. Unfortunately, he did not make a comeback in the first and second stages. If LGD had had his help in those stages, they might have accumulated enough points to compete in the Regional Finals. Most viewers believe that LGD is actually stronger than JDG and TES now. (Do you think IG can directly qualify for Worlds in the future?)