KR is basically most talented player in PACIFIC.
That doesn't need to be explained.
But why don't KR Tier 2 teams have as much clout other Pacific Tier 2 teams?
2023 Ascension DK didn't perform too well either.
Dplus is pretty much the only current KR challengers team to have a major presence outside of Valorant (LoL and PUBG mainly)
Meanwhile all of the JP challengers teams either have regional dominance in another esport (REJECT even won an international Apex Legends event not too long ago) or have major streamers backing them up (Murash/Riddle). That plus the salary thing makes playing abroad much more enticing.