Every hidden reference in League of Legends’ Worlds 2023 Song

They’re gonna’ crumble one by one.

The annual Worlds Championship for League of Legends is just around the corner. As with every year, Riot Games has released their latest song to go with their biggest tournament of the year. Here is every reference in League of Legends’ Worlds 2023 song.

GODS is a Narrative Journey

The song entitled ‘GODS’ chronicles the story of player Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu, who won Worlds 2022 with DRX. Throughout 2022 and Worlds 2022, the narrative was of the team’s journey and their struggles to make it to the top against all odds. When Deft and DRX finally lifted the Worlds trophy after defeating T1, it completed one of the most incredible narratives of any Worlds tournament, one in the works for nearly a decade.

Joined Beginnings

The music video opens with Deft in a high school classroom. He looks over and sees Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok. The two were schoolmates at Mapo High School and their journey from schoolmates to world-class competitors was a highlight of Worlds 2022.

Deft looks on at Faker during their years at Mapo High School. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Struggles and Success

Next up, the video shows Deft with Ezreal’s gauntlet fighting a Blue Buff. Looking over, we see Faker as Zed, facing down the Baron Nashor. Deft struggles to defeat the Blue Buff, eventually beating it. Meanwhile, Faker slices through the Baron with ease. Deft looked proud of his victory, until he saw the Baron, and then Faker’s success with it.

Deft looking on as Faker defeats Baron Nashor. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

This shows the juxtaposition of their respective rookie years. Faker had arguably the most successful rookie season, taking home the Worlds 2013 Championship trophy. Deft, on the other hand, stayed home after finishing 9th-16th in the Champions 2013 Summer season on MVP Blue. The shot of Faker defeating Baron even features an SKT trophy in the backdrop.

Faker as Zed, defeating Baron Nashor. The SKT trophy can be seen in the backdrop. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Determination

The scene then shifts towards Deft once more, who displays determination towards achieving his goal. The video shows him grinding League of Legends from deep in the night until the sun rose. Meanwhile, there are numerous small Easter Eggs in the backdrop of the scene, including several League of Legends merchandise, splashes for Senna, Ezreal, and Caitlyn, and an alpaca plushie.

The origins of the Deft-alpaca meme originated from former caster Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles. The comparison placed Deft’s image in 2014 alongside an alpaca, noting the similarities in expression. Deft has since played into the meme and his 2023 Worlds’ Caitlyn skin even includes an alpaca.

The shot also includes a poster of Worlds 2013 in Deft's bedroom, likely as a reminder of what he had missed and his future goal.

Iconic International Moments

Moving on to the next shot, Deft is now at Worlds 2014, his first attendance at the event. Furthermore, Deft is on Lucian (representing Samsung Blue as seen by the jersey he wears). He is facing off against Samsung Blue’s Heo “PawN” Won-seok’s Jayce. The video showcased PawN striking down on Deft with Jayce’s To the Skies!.

PawN smiting down Deft in the latter's first Worlds' attendance. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Much like the video suggested, Samsung White eliminated sister team Samsung Blue (one of the favorites coming into Worlds 2014). Samsung White went on to win Worlds 2014.

Shifting once more, the video now shows Deft alongside Support player Tian “Meiko” Ye. They are playing for EDG now, and it is Worlds 2015. Deft on Sivir and Meiko on Thresh face off against none other than Carl “Rekkles” Martin Erik Larsson on Kennen. Despite attempting to defend, Rekkles manages to defeat the two of them.

Side by side, in-game...

... and out of game (Deft and Meiko on EDG). Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

In Worlds 2015, Fnatic knocked EDG out of the tournament. EDG ended their run in 5th-8th place. Fnatic finished in the top 4.

Quarterfinals Curse

The video now shifts to a revolving shot around Deft, as he is barraged by skills. It represents his various eliminations over the years since 2015. At Worlds 2016, he finished top 8, did not qualify for Worlds in 2017, and finished top 8 at Worlds 2018. This was during his two year plus stint with KT Rolster. He then moved to Kingzone DragonX (later known as DragonX and DRX). His jersey also changes during this montage, from KT Rolster to DRX.

The road for a champion is never easy. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

On Kingzone, he did not fare much better, once again missing Worlds 2019. Finally, he returns in 2020. The shot in the video shows him on Senna, alongside teammates Ryu “Keria” Min-seok on Braum and Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon on Jax. On the icy plain, they battle against DAMWON’s Heo “ShowMaker” Su’s Syndra and Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu’s Graves. Tossed back by a shot from Canyon, Deft is momentarily saved by Keria, who swoops in on the Braum. The moment is fleeting, but Keria gives Deft a look of despair as ShowMaker takes down the duo and plunges Deft into the icy sea.

ShowMaker and DAMWON defeating DRX at Worlds 2020 Quarterfinals. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Deft was eliminated in the quarterfinals of Worlds 5 times (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021). When he finally made it past the quarterfinals again at Worlds 2022, defeating EDG to do so on his birthday, he was very emotional.

The Last Dance

Plunging into darkness, Deft kneels in despair, alone. This is, until a hand reaches down and pulls him up. It is the members of DRX; Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee, Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo, Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon, and Hwang “Kingen” Seong-hoon. They rise up from the darkness to the stage of Worlds 2022.

"Deft" all alone in the darkness. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

His hand reaches out, and another grabs it. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

The rise of the team is symbolic, the turning point and start of their Cinderella run in 2022’s Worlds. Moreover, their ascent was from below the arena, akin to their steep ascent from the Play-Ins stage.

DRX members raising Deft back up. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Meeting Former Teammates

Former teammates greet Deft at every turn. EDG’s Meiko on Renata from their quarterfinals battle (Deft wields the axes of Draven). Gen.G Doran on the massive Renekton faced down Deft on Varus. The scene both teases Renekton’s ultimate Dominus as well as a not-so subtle nod to a David and Goliath situation. Gen.G was heavily favored to win this series with their superteam. Moreover, Doran was also immensely ahead in Game 4, leading to DRX having to make a comeback.

Meiko on Renata representing EDG Quarterfinals. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Doran on Renekton, representing Gen.G Semifinals. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

As Deft continues to rise, he meets former teammate Keria on Karma. He (on Caitlyn now) manages to knock Keria back only to be shoved back in turn by an old adversary, Faker on Viktor. The two stand over a downed Deft, ready for the final blow. Then, Bard's Magical Journey opens up and the whole DRX shows up to back up their ADC. From standing alone throughout the video to standing as five.

DRX 2022 roster, as one unit. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Moreover, when DRX and Deft win this time, there is another juxtaposition shown. Throughout the video, we always zoom out of the game to a defeated face from “Deft.” This time, shock, and realization kicks in as he realizes he has won, and relief can be seen as he audibly cheers with his team. This mirrors the winning moment from Worlds 2023 as well.

The moment "Deft" realises. Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

The Next Run

At the end of the video, silence takes over as we are shown several players; Andrey “Ayu” Saraiva (Furia), Steven “Hans Sama” Liv (G2 Esports), Robert “Blaber” Huang (Cloud9), Brandon “Josedeodo” Joel Villegas (Estral Esports), Bai “369” Jia-Hao (JD Gaming), Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon (Gen.G), Đỗ “Levi” Duy Khánh (GAM Esports), Yuta “Yutapon” Sugiura (DetonatioN FocusMe), and Huang “Azhi” Shang-Jhih (PSG Talon) can all be seen looking at the Worlds 2023 trophy.

New challengers face Worlds 2023. Whose story will be told next? Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.

Conclusion

That is every significant reference and Easter Egg hidden in the Worlds 2023 music video ‘GODS’. As we reflect on the past years of competition and the arduous journey of one of League of Legends’ most persistent players, we also look to the future. Moreover, 'GODS' shows friends and teammates become competitors, new allies rise, and everything and everyone connected by the beloved game.

Read More:

The Goat and The Uncrowned King: Worlds 2022 Knockout Stafe Finals Bracket Preview.

A Step from Glory: Can DRX complete the Dream Run and win Worlds 2022.

T1 vs DRX Recap: 2022 Worlds Grand Finals.

Find out everything you need to know about Worlds 2023 with our handy all-in-one guide.

Credit: GODS // Riot Games League of Legends Music Video.