Heartsteel, Riot Games’ all-male virtual group, captivated audiences during the League of Legends Worlds 2023 opening ceremony at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea.
Heartsteel is an all-male virtual group featuring six beloved League of Legends champions: Ezreal, Kayn, Aphelios, Yone, K’Sante, and Sett.
The ceremony featured a groundbreaking live performance of Heartsteel’s debut song “Paranoia” by four of the group’s real-life musical artists. The stage came alive with unprecedented augmented-reality effects, creating a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
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Heartsteel and Baekhyun steal the show at the League of Legends Worlds 2023 opening ceremony
The electrifying performance unfolded with American artiste Cal Scruby kicking off the show, embodying Kayn as he sang while wielding a colossal Darkin Scythe prop.
Following his act, EXO’s Baekhyun took the stage, mirroring the iconic look of Heartsteel Ezreal in an all-black outfit adorned with orange belts. A stunning animated projection of Ezreal appeared behind him, unleashing a spectacular Trueshot Barrage through AR technology.
Due to his fondness for Ezreal and his portrayal of the champion, some fans have coined the nickname “Baekzreal” for him, cleverly blending his name with the character’s.
Ozi took the spotlight next and delivered powerful rap lines, channeling the essence of the champion Sett in his performance.
Tobi Lou, representing K’Sante, made a striking entrance, showcasing his formidable vocals in the bridge of “Paranoia.”
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The performance reached its climax as the massive LED screen shattered, unveiling AR versions of all six Heartsteel members. The champions and artistes sang and danced together, reminiscent of the performance of Riot’s previous sensation, the all-girl group K/DA, during Worlds 2018.
Immediately following the Heartsteel spectacle, Mako and Tyler Smith, the vocalist of The Word Alive, graced the stage with a haunting rendition of the Worlds 2018 anthem, “Rise.”
Watch Heartsteel’s full Worlds 2023 performance below:
LoL Heartsteel roles and vocalists
| HEARTSTEEL MEMBER | ROLE | MUSICAL ARTIST COLLABORATION |
| Ezreal | Vocalist | Baekhyun |
| Kayn (Legendary skin) | Rapper, instrumentalist | Cal Scruby |
| Aphelios | Instrumentalist, songwriter | N/A |
| Yone (with Prestige Edition) | Producer | N/A |
| K’Sante | Co-leader, vocalist | Tobi Lou |
| Sett | Co-leader, rapper | ØZI |
Baekhyun, a top vocalist in K-pop and a member of EXO and SuperM, achieved global popularity with his group and solo albums like City Lights, Delight, and Bambi.
Cal Scruby, an LA-based rapper known for clever lyrics and quirky visuals, collaborated with brands like the NFL, EA Sports, and Ciroc Vodka, in addition to his work on Riot.
ØZI, born in LA and raised in Taipei, is a versatile Mandarin music star, earning accolades as a singer-songwriter, producer, performer, and creative director. His debut album, “ØZI: The Album,” received six Golden Melody Awards nominations.
Tobi Lou, born in Nigeria and raised in Chicago, is a multi-talented artist blending hip-hop, R&B, and pop. His breakout single, “Buff Baby,” gained him recognition as an artist to watch in the contemporary music scene.
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