Riot resurrected 3 of its biggest League of Legends pop groups, but only one emerged victorious
Riot Games revived three League of Legends pop groups ahead of Worlds 2023, but only K/DA delivered a full return with a new EP and chart-topping single Firestarter.
Riot Music’s K/DA, True Damage, and Heartsteel were revived after years of dormancy ahead of the 2023 League of Legends Worlds finals in New York. K/DA’s 2018 debut single Pop/Stars became the first K-pop girl group song to achieve platinum certification, yet the group had not released new music since 2020 until its recent revival.
Heartsteel, a boyband formed in 2023, returned with the single Live My Life, shifting from its original edgy persona to a softer sound. True Damage, known for its 2018 hit Giants, has not released new material since its initial campaign, remaining a one-hit wonder despite its Worlds 2018 stage performance.
K/DA’s comeback featured the single Firestarter and a four-song EP, produced with Fortiche Productions, the studio behind Arcane’s animation and K/DA’s original Pop/Stars music video. The EP includes contributions from K-pop artists Soyeon and Miyeon of I-dle, reinforcing K/DA’s mainstream appeal and production value.
K/DA’s revival outperformed its peers, with Firestarter receiving heavy rotation and the EP earning praise for its polished sound. The group will share the stage with True Damage at Worlds 2023, but K/DA’s sustained success and expanded discography solidify its dominance among Riot’s musical ventures.