Afreeca Freecs

Roster: NN, Shad0w, Daengche, R0wha, EJ

Notable results: 2019 OGN Supermatch Champions

Even with a APAC Predator League championship and top 3 finishes in Phase 1 and 3 of PKL throughout the 2019, Afreeca Freecs Fatal have disappointed on the global stage, finishing 14th in the Faceit Global Summit and 19th in the PGC. Before the new season, AF have united their Fatal and Ares teams into a single squad, and replaced their long-time IGL in "Style", and "Lambu" with Kim "Daengche" Do-Hyun from VSG and Lee "R0wha" Jae-Ho from AF Ares. New roster have clicked with each other instantly, winning the OGN Supermatch in the offseason, and is considered as one of the favourites for a spot in the PGS.

APK Prince

Roster: KIMGONI, Hwan2da, rain1ng, Maczora, NEFIEX

Notable results: 5th place in 2019 PKL Phase 2

APK Prince had a up-and-down 2019, fighting for a spot at the Global Events in one part of the season, and falling to the lower half of the standings for the remainder of the year. In order to fight for a place in the Global Series, they've made significant roster changes, signing Jang "Hwan2da" Hwan from VSG and Han "Maczora" Dae-Kyu, the latter which is returning to the competitive stage after a year-long hiatus.

Archi13

Roster: Merald, Curious, Gyuyeon, Slaco, Evermore

Coming from the Open Qualifier, Still8-operated Archi13 marks the competitive return of the Kongdoo Reddot / Griffin Red core players - Yoon "Merald" Hui-Seong, Lee "Curious" Yeong-Min and Koo "Evermore" Gyo-Min. Their showings at both the Intel BSC and Open Qualifiers have been pretty solid, but it'll be the PGS Korea that'll verify the true strength of a Archi13 squad.

DAMWON Gaming

Roster: Style, CRISTIS, YunJong, MYway

After a disappointing debut on the battlegrounds, finishing only 19th in the PKL Phase 3, DAMWON Gaming have decided to bolster their roster in the offseason, by signing one of the best shotcallers in South Korea in Oh "Style" Gyeong-Cheol, and a former captain of OGN Ace in Lee "CRISTIS" Joon-Su. The new squad have looked strong throughout the Intel BSC, and should be in contention for the top ranks during the PGS Korea.

Danawa e-sports

Roster: Inonix, DG98, Raeng, CheongGak

Notable results: 2020 Intel BSC Winners, 5th place in the OGN Supermatch 2019, 2nd in the PGC KR Qualifier, 2nd in the 2019 PKL Phase 2

The former Danawa DPG team haven't slowed down after having a pretty decent 2019 season, winning the 2020 Intel Battlegrounds Smash Cup and finishing 5th in the other offseason event, i.e. OGN Supermatch. Even with two new players on the squad - Kim "Raeng" Seong-Jin and Dae "DG98" Kwon-Hwang, the goal for Danawa stays the same as in the late 2019 - become a mainstay on the Global stage.

Danawa already clinched one title this year, can they make it 2/2 at the PGS Korea?

Detonator Korea

Roster: WICK2D, Mickey, Joy, Ohjungje

Notable results: OGN Supermatch 2019 Runner-Up, 3rd in the PKL 2019 Phase 2, 5th in the PKL 2019 Phase 1

After having a uneven 2019 season, highlighted by a second-to-last place finish in the Global Championship, DTN Korea have decided to blow up their roster, with only Kim "WICK2D" Jin-Hyeong remaining with the squad for the 2020. Joining him in Detonator's battle for the PGS will be two former players of OGN Ace - Kim "Mickey" Da-Hyeon and Park "Joy" Hye-Min, and Oh "Ohjungje" Jeong-Je from Griffin Black.

E-Stats Esports

Roster: SIA, Haru, Smoke, RaY, Rosgooi

E-Stats Esports is returning to the highest level of South Korean PUBG thanks to their 2nd-place finish in the Phase 3 of 2019 Korea Contenders. Their squad have changed throughout the offseason, with team's best player throughout their PKC campaign in Eun "RaY" He-Yeon being the only player left from the 2019 E-Stats roster.

Element Mystic

Roster: KiraV, Lash, Makne, K1nch

Even with a mediocre results throughout the 2019 season, with the best one being 7th place in the Phase 1 of PKL, Element Mystic have stayed low throughout the offseason. Their only change compared to the 2019 roster is the signing of Shin "Makne" Jong-Ju from DPG EVGA, which will play in the spot of Chae "Pallas" Soo-Beum.

emTek StormX e-sports

Roster: seoul, JunSu, Alphaca, LeClo

emTek StormX is entering the competitive PUBG stage after buying over the roster and PGS Korea spot of DPG EVGA (as DPG have decided to keep Danawa as their only team from 2020 onwards). Compared to the EVGA, emTek will feature a entirely new roster, highlighted by abreakout star of PKL Phase 3 in Cho "Seoul" Gi-Yeoll, coming to the team from MEDIABRIDGE Square.

FarmPC E-sports

Roster: YAYAVA, QQ, MBUG, MAPLE, FLUX

The crowd-pleasing darlings, which played throughout the 2019 under the World Class banner, are heading into the new year with a sponsor in FarmPC, a PC bang, but without their star fragger in Kim "Yunae" Yun-Hoi, which have been signed by OPGG Sports.

RIP 2019 WCS, may your shenanigans be missed

Griffin

Roster: Asura, Minsung, 2heart, 2tap, nana

After a disappointing year for the Still8-owned organisation, Griffin is coming into the 2020 season with a new squad, with Lee "nana" Hak-Il and Jo "Asura" Sang-Won coming from GRF Red, a monster duo of Yu "2tap" Jae-Won and Sik "2heart" Hyoek-Jin joining them from GRF Black, and Kim "Minsung" Min-Sung being signed from Quadro to roundup the roster.

LAVEGA Esports

Roster: Vino, CRANK, RAGE, Hexa, Sparr0vv

Throughout the 2019, LAVEGA Esports have made their place as a middle-of-the-pack team, finishing the Korea League in 9th, 13th and 14th place during the respective phases. Ahead of the new season, they’ve decided to bolster their roster, signing Lee “RAGE” Hyo-beom, Chung “Hexa” Seong-yun and Byeon “Sparr0vv” Jung-hwan to help the remaining core of Cho “Vino” Han-gyung and Kim “Crank” Hyeon-ung.

LVP

Roster: Ssin9, EVEN, ROVE, Rolex

Coming to the main tournament thanks to a 3rd-place finish at the Open Qualifier, LVP features a roster of less-known, but experienced Contenders players, in “EVEN”, “ROVE” and “Rolex”.

MEDIABRIDGE Square

Roster: ZeniTh, Hwarang, Qurate, NaviEffect, yyoni

After avoiding the relegation by taking over the Mediabridge spot at the end of Phase 2, and suddendly becoming a challenger for the PGC in the Phase 3, MEDIABRIDGE Square have lost two of their best players - Jo “Seoul” Ki-Yeon and Lee “DAEVA” Seong-Do. To replace them for the 2020 season, MSQ have signed Kim “NaviEffect” Se-Jin, Eo “yyoni” Joo-Wan and Park “Qurate” Seong-Hu.

Michael Gaming

Roster: Dumbo, Corn, N1ke, Cross

The winners of PKC 2019 Phase 2 had a solid debut at the top tier of KR PUBG scene, finishing 18th in the PKL Phase 3 and 13th in the Intel BSC 2020. Heading towards the new season, Michael Gaming have decided to keep their roster intact, as they aim to improve their ranking and potentially challenge for a PGS invite.

OPGG Sports

Roster: Ayoh, Silky, Yunae, Int

Following the OP Gaming Rangers downfall from being the PKL and Faceit Global Summit champions at the end of Phase 1, to nearly being relegated by the end of the year, OPGG Sports have completely overhauled their roster, signing the Spear Gaming roster from Korea Contenders, Kim “Yunae” Yun-Hoi from World Class and Lee “Int” Dong-Wook from AsuraWalk. With a 2nd-place finish in the Intel BSC already in the bag for the new OPGG squad, they look to challenge for a PGS spot.

Stardom Esports

Roster: Reknar, KK0BUK, dot0rymyuk, SuPPaK

After being relegated from Korea League at the end of 2019 Phase 3, Stardom Esports have bought over the spot and roster of Team Blossom / LOCKDOWN, which was coming to the top division after finishing 3rd in the 2019 PKC Phase 3. Backing them in the PGS Korea will be Lee “SuppaK” Jun-Hwan, which returns to the competitive PUBG scene after a few-month retirement.

Team Quadro

Roster: Dlaks, Renba, Yacha, Morix

The eternal mid-field team of the Korean PUBG scene aims to break their curse, and challenge for the Global Series invite with a completely new roster, highlighted by Kim “Yacha” Dae-Young from DPG Danawa and Seo “Renba” Jae-Young from DPG EVGA.

Team Revelation

Roster: Chaebin, LUCKY, Rage, Angry

Advancing to the main tournament as the best team of the Open Qualifiers, Team Revelation features a roster of Korea Contenders prospects in “Chaebin”, “Lucky” and “JOJAES”. For them, PGS Korea will be the first premier event, and they’ll try to show their skills on the big stage.

T1

Roster: Adder, Akad, Jefflocka, HelleN, Draft, Rex

The SK Telecom-sponsored team have consistently crafted their up-and-coming players throughout the late 2018 and 2019, leading up to their runner-up finish in the PKL 2019 Phase 3 and a 11th place at the Global Championship. Heading into the new year, T1 have decided to let go of Lee “Treasure” Na-Heul, and promoted Kim “Draft” Joon-Yeon and Kim “Rex” Hae-Chan from the trainee system to the main roster. With a duo of Jeong “Adder” Ji-Hun and Lee “Akad” Gwang-Hyun staying as the main force of T1, they’re considered as one of the favourites for the PGS ticket.

Unsettled wAy

Roster: LB, NewCore, Intexx, Hayeon

Heading to the PGS Korea after finishing 4th in the Open Qualifiers, Unsettled wAy will look to surprise everyone in their top division debut with a group of a promising talents, backed up by a experienced Choi “NewCore” Kwan-Ho.

VRLU Ghibli

Roster: Hikari, Lambu, DAEVA, Spear, PLIKHE

VRLU Ghibli have emerged on the PUBG scene after they aquired the slot of now-defunct Afreeca Freecs Ares. The organisation sponsored by a VR content creator and solutions company have signed a powerful roster, featuring two PGC participants in Kim “Hikari” Dong-Hwan from DTN, and Chan “Lambu” Hyun Park from AF Fatal. VRLU had a great start, finishing 3rd in the Intel BSC, and will look to repeat that result at their biggest event yet.

VSG

Roster: Starlord, Hulk, YaKK, Foxy, EEND

For the former PKL and Asia Invitational champions, not making it to the top 5 of Korea League in Phases 2 and 3, and not even advancing to the Global Championship at all was considered as a major disappointment. In order to avoid the repeat of the last year, VSG have moved Il “Foxy” Jae-Ho to the starting roster, and signed both Kim “YaKK” Bo-Hyeon from OGN Entus Force, and No “EEND” Tae-Young from Stardom Esports.

Every VSG fan if the team continues to underperform in 2020

World Class

Roster: JUN, Hanya, Pallas, EquaL

Even though the former World Class roster, except for Choi “JUN” Choel-Jun, have decided to join the FarmPC Esports organisation for the 2020, they’ve climbed their way back to the top division through a Open Qualifier with a entirely new roster.

Prediction

Coming off a extensive offseason, filled with roster changes around the pack, I think that a majority of the top teams from the Korea League – to be more exact, T1, Afreeca Freecs, Danawa, VSG, Detonator and emTek – have managed to bolster their rosters for the new season, at the cost of the remaining teams, and those are the six teams to beat for the PGS:Berlin Korea Qualifier. However, there are two teams that in my opinion are most likely to disrupt the order of the Korean scene – DAMWON and VRLU Ghibli, and aside of them, I except that we’ll have one or two teams that’ll get some upsets, and challenge the old order for a spot in Berlin.