Lee Wee Liew wins his second APT title after victory in the Korea National Cup
Malaysian Lee Wee Liew triumphs in the Korea National Cup during APT Jeju, denying Zhiyi Wang a consecutive title and adding a Silver Lion trophy to his accolades.
Key Takeaways
- Lee Wee Liew secured his second APT title by winning the Korea National Cup at APT Jeju.
- The Malaysian prevented Zhiyi Wang from achieving consecutive titles in the Korean event.
- The final table included seven Chinese players and prizes ranging from $4,700 to $51,900.
- APT Jeju continues until October 7 with the Main Event guaranteeing $1.6 million in prizes.
Lee Wee Liew, representing Malaysia, achieved his second title under the Asian Poker Tour brand by winning the inaugural event of the APT Jeju festival. His triumph on Saturday night in the Korea National Cup prevented Chinese player Zhiyi Wang from securing consecutive titles in this tournament, reaffirming the weight of his performance in the Asian poker circuit.
APT Jeju Korea National Cup: key victory and revenge
Liew took a significant chip lead (4:1) at the start of the heads-up against Wang in the LES A Casino halls. Wang, who had won the same event in September 2025, had to settle for second place this time. Liew's dominant performance at the table, both in the final phase and throughout the tournament, was decisive and marked the outcome against an experienced rival within the APT circuit.
The Malaysian champion thus added the Silver Lion Silhouette trophy to his collection. He had already lifted the Baby Lion Trophy at the Short Deck Triple Chance 6-Max event held during APT Manila in 2024, but this award represents another caliber. Liew expressed to journalists:
“I won a small trophy in a minor tournament, but this one really means my big breakthrough. This is my first trophy in a medium-sized event. It feels amazing, even though it’s surprisingly heavy!” — Lee Wee Liew
Lee Wee Liew's journey to APT victory
Liew's start in the festival was striking. In the Turbo Flight Day 1C on Friday, he made a key hand by forming a royal flush, allowing him to advance with an average stack to the second day alongside 66 other players. On Saturday, in just four hours, the field was reduced to 16 participants, and Liew consolidated his position.
As the chip leader at the final table, he maintained control of the tournament. In just one hour, he became champion: throughout the course, he made four of a kind and eliminated Bo Edengren (Sweden) and Gary Moon (United States), who finished sixth and seventh, respectively. By the time there were three players remaining, Liew held 61% of the chips in play.
Subsequently, he eliminated Furui Wang (China) to secure his advantage in the final heads-up. He sealed the victory by calling Zhiyi Wang's all-in with a pair of threes. Wang showed K-6, but the board did not favor him.
Prizes and standings in the Korea National Cup at APT Jeju
The event awarded prizes to the top nine:
- Lee Wee Liew (Malaysia): $51,900
- Zhiyi Wang (China): $32,655
- Furui Wang (China): $23,390
- Bei Shi (China): $18,420
- Zu You Wang (China): $14,470
- Bo Edengren (Sweden): $11,300
- Gary Moon (United States): $8,510
- Hongkun Wang (China): $5,935
- Huang Hongbiao (China): $4,700
The outcome reinforces the progress of players from Asia and the remarkable performance of China, with seven representatives among the top nine.
Upcoming events and expectations in APT Jeju
The APT Jeju festival continues until October 7, with a schedule of 135 tournaments including the highly anticipated Main Event, guaranteeing $1.6 million and set to begin on Sunday, September 27. The development of the festival and the performance of its protagonists are driving interest from both operators and B2B platforms, as well as those following the happenings of international tournaments through news and events.
The anticipation for the Main Event and the strong international contingent enhance the competitive profile of the festival in South Korea, solidifying the Asian Poker Tour as a reference in the region.
“I almost pulled it off again, but Lee deserved the win this time.” — Zhiyi Wang, runner-up of the Korea National Cup
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Lee Wee Liew win at the Korea National Cup of APT Jeju?
Lee Wee Liew earned a prize of $51,900 for his victory in the Korea National Cup, celebrating his second official trophy in the Asian Poker Tour.
Who was the runner-up in the Korea National Cup at APT Jeju?
Zhiyi Wang from China finished in second place after losing the heads-up against Lee Wee Liew, taking home a prize of $32,655 and coming close to his second consecutive title.
How many players were at the final table of the Korea National Cup?
The final table of the Korea National Cup consisted of nine players, including seven from China, one from Sweden, and one from the United States, along with the champion from Malaysia.
What previous achievements did Lee Wee Liew have in the APT?
Before this victory, Lee Wee Liew had won the Baby Lion trophy in the Short Deck Triple Chance 6-Max during APT Manila 2024, marking his first step in APT events.
When does the APT Jeju festival end and what is the main event?
APT Jeju continues until October 7, with the Main Event guaranteeing $1.6 million, starting on Sunday, September 27.
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About the author
Sofía Carrasco
Poker Correspondent
Sofía Carrasco covers live and online poker — tournament series from the WSOP and EPT to the daily room grind, promotions, and the industry moves behind them. The reports keep every score, pot, and player name exactly as the record shows, and follow the story past the final hand: who qualified, what the structure rewarded, and how the field is shifting. For player moves, software, and regulation across the poker economy, Sofía Carrasco is the first read.
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