Introduction: The S16 season is approaching, and it’s clear that most players have been paying attention to the offseason developments. The LPL region has experienced major changes lately. Just recently, the official announcement of the new season’s sponsors showed that only seven sponsors remain for the entire LPL, which is even less than some teams have. Meanwhile, ticket sales for TES and JDG matches were shocking; without their star players, these two popular and strong teams drew very little attention. The most interesting part was Bin — after going through a double eyelid adjustment, a handsome man appeared in BLG’s video, and who would have guessed it was the familiar Bin?

Bin’s appearance has dramatically improved, showing a huge transformation

Most players are quite familiar with the LPL region. Once a world-class top-tier league, the LPL has grown rapidly over recent years with more teams joining, but their overall performance has declined. This season, top LPL teams still invest heavily, with the sole goal of winning the World Championship. It was assumed that the LPL’s problems were not too serious, but after the official sponsor announcement for the new season, it became clear that the league is on the brink of collapse. Who would have thought such a large league would only have seven sponsors?

It’s worth noting that when the LPL first won the World Championship, it was at its peak, with countless sponsors, and sponsorships were not open to just anyone — there was a minimum requirement. This season, most major sponsors have left, and it seems the one with the most sponsorship now is Dudu. If the LPL fails to win the World Championship again, the situation will likely worsen, leading to weaker teams dropping out one by one, leaving only a few strong teams struggling to survive, and the league gradually declining.

The ticket sales also reflect how bad the LPL currently is. IG’s home game tickets sold out instantly, leaving almost no seats, as their popular players still attract fans. Conversely, the peak showdown between JDG and TES did not draw much attention, even though both teams are strong contenders for the S16 World Championship spots. Tickets remain available at all price levels. Perhaps it’s because TES’s AD player, A Shua, is resting; if he played, female fans would surely go wild. It’s also possible that the high ticket prices in Beijing’s home venue and the fact that it’s not a weekend contributed to the low attendance.

BLG recently released a documentary that sparked widespread discussion online, and Bin’s appearance was truly stunning. It seems he has been working out and losing weight during the offseason, combined with a Korean-style semi-permanent double eyelid procedure, making him look like he has a brand-new skin. Calling it a beauty boost wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Many netizens joked, wondering if Bin has found a girlfriend and why he’s paying so much attention to his looks. His transformation is so significant that he could easily debut as a celebrity, somewhat reminiscent of Da Jiuzi at his peak.

Farewell Thoughts

The LPL region has indeed gradually fallen into decline. Computer sponsors, automobile sponsors, and food sponsors have all left. It feels like even winning the World Championship won’t bring back its former glory. The esports industry is currently facing a harsh winter. This problem isn’t unique to the LPL; even the LCK, which has consecutively won world championships, is experiencing similar issues.

What do all of you viewers think about this situation?