The LCK Stove League kicked off with one hell of a bang: T1 has announced the departure of their long-time bot laner, Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyung. The news came as a shock to many, as Gumayusi recently claimed his three-peat world championship victory with T1.
The End of an Era
“To me, T1 has always meant pride.” – Gumayusi
Gumayusi’s departure after seven years with T1 marks the end of an era filled with prestige, and his legacy is one that will be immortalized in LoL Esports. With his recent championship win, it’s safe to say that Gumayusi has definitely ‘earned his legacy’.
I once said that T1 is where the best belongs. And somehow, it’s been almost seven years since I became a part of T1… There were a lot of twists and turns, and even moments when things felt tough, but I kept pushing through with everything I had, determined to achieve something here at T1. As a result, we went undefeated in the LCK, three-peat Worlds win, and was named the Finals MVP, solidifying the T1 dynasty and proving I was the best in the world.
Image Credit: T1
His journey for his third Worlds trophy definitely proved to be his toughest challenge to date. He was benched early in the season in favor of Shin “Smash” Geum-jae, and was subbed back in after the organization’s CEO, Joe Marsh, intervened.
Despite his growing pains, his Worlds finals performance against KT Rolster not only earned him the coveted Summoner’s Cup, but he was also named the Finals MVP.
What’s next for T1?
As of right now, T1 is rumored to sign Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan, who spent his 2025 season with JD Gaming in the LPL. While JDG’s first split looked promising as the team finished third place in the LPL, multiple roster and coaching staff changes have mired the rest of his season. While they ultimately made it to the Regional Finals, they fell to Invictus Gaming in the final Worlds qualifier series.
Image Credit: JDG Esports
Despite this, he is a player never to be underestimated, as he is the youngest bot laner to lift an LCK trophy. With his return to the LCK seemingly imminent, the shoes he’ll have to fill will prove to be his toughest challenge yet.
