APL MAIN EVENT (26,000 TWD)

From 5 BB to Victory: Hyundong Lee Triumphs at APL Taipei 2025 Main Event

After six days of intense competition, a massive 1,178-entry field, and over 200 hands across the Final Day games, South Korea's Hyundong Lee has emerged as this season's APL Main Event champion. Clinching his first-ever live title, Lee walked away with NT$ 3,629,173 (~US$ 123,485) in winnings, his career-best score by a wide margin.

Exclusive Interview with Hyundong Lee

SMP: Congratulations! How does it feel to win your first live tournament? What does this win mean to you?

Lee: I was worried about having such a bad run throughout the entire season. However, achieving a wonderful result at APL Taiwan gave me renewed confidence in my poker career. It reminded me that perseverance pays off, and that even during tough times, a single good performance can change the outlook completely.

SMP: You battled through a field of 1,178 entries and navigated a stacked final table. What was the most challenging part throughout the games?

Lee: At the beginning of the tournament, I suffered a major loss to my stack. That moment was a real wake-up call. The pressure of playing short-stacked compared to the rising blinds forced me to adapt quickly. It pushed me to play smarter and make every move count.

SMP: Coming into the final table middle of the pack, what was your mindset going into the final rounds?

Lee: My strategy was simple: stay calm and patient. I kept reminding myself to wait for the right moment. In poker, sometimes the best move is to do nothing until the right opportunity comes.

SMP: Let’s talk about that ace-high call against Wu Chiayun four-handed. What was going through your mind?

Lee: I called with Ace-high because I believed my opponent was chasing a flush draw. I sensed he hadn't connected with the board yet, and based on his actions, a missed draw seemed likely.

SMP: Who did you find as the toughest opponent? How did you feel going into heads up against such an experienced player?

Lee: There wasn’t a particular player who gave me a tough time. Every opponent was competitive, but no one stood out as especially difficult. It felt more like a battle against the situation and the structure, rather than any one individual.

SMP: How did you find the field in Taiwan? South Koreans fared well overall, what can you say about the difference in strategy and play?

Lee: This was actually my third time visiting Taiwan for a poker tournament. Although I was playing in Taiwan, the overall atmosphere felt very similar to Korea. The players, the strategies, and even the tempo of the game were quite familiar, so I didn't need to adjust too much.

SMP: You've now locked in a career-best payday and a major live title. Do you see yourself traveling more for live tournaments now that you’ve broken through on a big stage like this?

Lee: If given the chance, I’ll always push to break my own records. I believe in constantly challenging myself to grow. Every new tournament is a new chance to raise the bar higher than before.

SMP: Any shoutouts you'd like to give to supporters, friends, or fellow players who’ve helped you along the way?

Lee: I’ve received so much encouragement from people back in Korea. To everyone who supported me from afar, thank you so much. Your belief in me means a lot. Once I return to Korea, I promise to repay that support with continued dedication and better results in the future.