BeryL is a name that resonates deeply within the League of Legends (LoL) esports community. A three-time finalist at Riot Games’ esteemed LoL Worlds event and the architect of a revolutionary Support meta, BeryL’s impact on the game is undeniable.
The South Korean dynamo has captivated audiences globally, but who exactly is BeryL? Luckily, we’ve got the answer. Dive deep into the legacy of DRX’s prodigious Support player in this detailed player profile.
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Who is BeryL?
Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee (or 조건희 in Hangul) is an iconic professional Korean esports player. He plays as a Support for DRX (formerly known as DragonX). Recognized for his exceptional decisiveness, BeryL boasts an impressive trophy cabinet and is a two-time League of Legends Worlds champion.
While his status as a titan in the LoL competitive circuit is undisputed, BeryL continues to leave his fans in awe by demonstrating next-level plays that have largely reformed the playing field. The only players with more World championships than him are Faker and Bengi—enough said.
BeryL’s understanding of game dynamics enabled him to revolutionize the meta by utilizing lane priority champions like Heimerdinger, Ashe, and others at Worlds 2022. This approach leveraged item advantages, allowing BeryL to secure gold faster and secure vision, both of which provided DRX with a crucial edge.
Despite challenges from top-tier opponents, such as Gen.G’s counter strategies, BeryL’s adaptability and in-depth game knowledge kept him a step ahead. Put simply, BeryL doesn’t just team; he disrupts enemy plans, exemplifying his genuine caliber as a Gigachad of League of Legends.
How Old is BeryL?
As of this writing, BeryL is 26 years old. He was born on April 1, 1997.
BeryL LoL Team History
In May 2017, BeryL stepped onto the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) stage with the now-defunct Korean esports team, MiRaGe Gaming, flanked by teammates Parang, Crush, Boroona, and Hoit.
However, their journey as MiRaGe was short-lived. Within a mere 25 days, the team was acquired by DAMWON Gaming. They were later famously recognized as DWG KIA and subsequently Dplus KIA following more rebrandings.
From May 2017 to November 2021, BeryL showcased unwavering dedication to DAMWON and its iterations, skillfully transitioning between Bot and Support roles. But as the curtain fell on his contract in January 2021, ahead of the 2022 LCK season, DRX astutely roped him in as one of their own.
BeryL’s Esports Timeline
For clarity, here’s a snapshot of BeryL’s LCK journey:
- MiraGe Gaming (May 2017)
- DAMWON Gaming (May 2017 – Jan 2018)
- DAMWON Gaming (Jan 2018 – Feb 2018)
- DAMWON Gaming (Feb 2018)
- DAMWON Gaming (Feb 2018 – Nov 2020)
- DAMWON Gaming (Nov 2020 – Jan 2021)
- DWG KIA (Jan 2021 – Nov 2021)
- DRX (Dec 2021 – Present)
Note: BeryL’s multiple phases with DAMWON Gaming reflect role shifts and contract extensions as indicated in the Global Contract Database (GCD) rather than separate periods with the team.
What Team Is BeryL On Now?
BeryL plays for DRX, and has proudly used the title “DRX BeryL.” Here’s the present lineup for the Korean powerhouse:
- Kim “Rascal” Kwang-hee (Top)
- Kim “Croco” Dong-beom (Jungle)
- Yoo “FATE” Su-hyeok (Mid)
- Kang “Kyeahoo” Ye-hoo (Mid)
- Park “Paduck” Seok-hyeon (Bot)
- Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee (Support)
- Lee “Juhan” Ju-han (Jungle Substitute)
What Role Does BeryL Play?
While BeryL is best known as a Support player, his versatility shines through with his proven skills in the Bot role. But this adaptability is hardly surprising. The Korean esports maestro is renowned for his innovative strategies, surprising his opponents with his unconventional champion picks.
Who is BeryL’s Favorite LoL Champion?
Considering BeryL’s all-time stats, Rell is his favorite champion in League of Legends tournaments. And for a good reason! LoL’s Iron Maiden is a formidable Support with a ton of lockdown, making her impactful at any game stage. She also just shreds through shields and has no problem jumping into battle.
BeryL’s Other Most-Played Champions
In the LCK 2023 Season, BeryL showcased his prowess on Lulu (8 games), Nami (6 games), and Karma (5 games). These have gone largely unchanged over his competitive career.
Here’s a list of BeryL’s top picks in LoL tournaments:
- Rakan (11 games)
- Lulu (9 games)
- Alistar (7 games)
- Nami (6 games)
- Heimerdinger (5 games)
BeryL’s Biggest LoL Wins
Eager to learn more about BeryL? Say no more. Let’s shine the spotlight on his most iconic victories that solidified his legendary status in the League of Legends esports arena.
2020 World Championship
Teaming up with Canyon, Ghost, Showmaker, and Nuguri, BeryL was instrumental in leading DAMWON Gaming to victory at the 2020 Worlds in China, earning his team $562,500. Not only was this his top-earning tournament, but it also sparked the beginning of two more Worlds stints.
Separately, after beating Suning 3-1 and winning $112,500 for himself at the League of Legends Worlds 2020 championship, BeryL made a memorable request to Riot Games. He wanted to model his Worlds skin for Leona, taking inspiration from his favorite character in Princess Connect Re: Dive.
2022 World Championship
BeryL’s next biggest win in LoL esports was taking home the Summoner’s Cup at Worlds 2022 and $81,583. At the World Finals at the Chase Center, DRX narrowly beat T1 3-2, marking the first victory for a Play-In stage team. DRX’s Worlds success was unexpected but included wins over many top contenders.
2021 World Championship
In his second appearance at Riot’s esteemed annual championship, BeryL steered DAMWON Gaming to the Grand Finals against EDward Gaming in Reykjavík, Iceland. Although his crew didn’t clinch the title, BeryL’s contributions were pivotal in securing $333,750 for the team, with his share amounting to $66,750.
LCK Spring 2021
LCK Spring 2021 saw DWG KIA clinch $178,000 after taking down Gen.G in a 3-0 clean sweep. From this, BeryL pocketed $35,600. But that’s not all. This victory also marked the start of a championship hat-trick for DWG KIA, underscoring their dominance throughout the season.
LCK Summer 2021
Fast-forward to LCK Summer 2021 when BeryL and DWG KIA maintained their hot streak, besting T1 with a score of 3-1. This victory positioned the team at the top of the LoL World Championships LCK seed. In addition, BeryL’s share from this win was a cool $28,333.
How Many Championships Has BeryL Won? Has He Won Worlds?
Since 2017, BeryL has amassed an enviable tally of 12 championship victories. He’s clinched the prestigious Worlds title twice (in 2020 and 2022) and has secured three LCK crowns (Summer 2020, Summer 2021, and Spring 2021).
Here is a list of every tournament BeryL has won:
- Worlds 2022
- LCK 2021 Summer Playoffs
- LCK 2021 Summer
- LCK 2021 Spring Playoffs
- LCK 2021 Spring
- KeSPA Cup 2020
- Worlds 2020
- LCK 2020 Summer Playoffs
- LCK 2020 Summer
- LCK 2019 Regional Finals
- Rift Rivals 2019 LCK-LPL-LMS-VCS
- CK 2018 Summer
How Much Money Does BeryL Make From LoL?
Throughout his career, BeryL has amassed more than $400,000 in earnings from 18 tournaments. In South Korea, he ranks as the 60th top-earning esports athlete. Pretty dang impressive. BeryL’s most lucrative year was in 2021 when he raked in $148,051—$66,750 of that came from placing 2nd at Worlds 2021.
Does BeryL Stream?
You can catch BeryL in action on his AfreecaTV channel. The Korean esports icon streams for around 2-3 hours. You can watch him solo queue, analyze League of Legends matches, or play some Gacha games like Genshin Impact.