After acquiring Zeus last year, HLE could get their hands on Gumayusi
ZOFGK loses another letter as one of the biggest moves of the offseason is once again happening in the LCK. According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong is expected to join Hanwha Life Esports to become their starting AD carry ahead of the 2026 season. The now-former T1 player has received a massive offer from HLE, which he has yet to accept.
The transfer would send shockwaves through the League of Legends scene, as Gumayusi— a three-time World Champion with T1 and one of the world’s most renowned botlaners— would replace Park “Viper” Do-hyeon in Hanwha’s starting lineup, which sets off a domino effect of ADC moves among the top LCK teams.
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Announced this Monday, Gumayusi’s departure from T1 symbolizes the end of an era. Since joining the team at the end of 2020, he has been an integral part of T1’s dynasty alongside Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun, and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok. Together, the roster achieved an unprecedented three consecutive Worlds titles between 2023 and 2025, redefining competitive excellence on the international stage. Gumayusi is thus leaving T1 for the first time in his career, and this will also mark the first time he plays without Keria as his support.
A move shaking the LCK to its core
Now, HLE could pull off another major move by acquiring T1’s AD carry, Gumayusi. While the rest of the HLE roster has yet to be finalized, this transfer would clearly signal the organization’s intent to remain a top contender in the LCK after moving on from Park “Viper” Do-hyeon, who would explore new opportunities after three years of loyal service.
There were clear signs that such a move might happen. Like Doran, Gumayusi was one of the few T1 players with a contract expiring in 2025. He was even benched at the start of the year in favor of Shin “Smash” Geum-jae, T1 Academy’s ADC, following coaching staff decisions. Later reinstated amid organizational and fan drama, Gumayusi silenced critics with another standout Worlds performance, even earning the symbolic Worlds Finals MVP title for his exceptional play.
The end of an era for T1
Gumayusi’s departure marks the first time in his career that he leaves T1, and also the first time he will play without Keria as his support. This move officially closes a historic chapter for T1, whose duo shaped much of the team’s identity over the past several seasons and stood at the heart of its international success.
Hanwha Life Esports, meanwhile, would continue to strengthen their reputation as one of the LCK’s most ambitious organizations. They are the only team since Summer 2022 to interrupt Gen.G’s reign over the league, having captured their first domestic championship in 2024 before adding the 2025 LCK Cup to their trophy case. Those victories came through an incredible bracket run that saw them sweep T1, Dplus KIA, and Gen.G twice in a 5-game series.
Also Read: Gumayusi, the unwanted who became Worlds Finals MVP
While their 2025 season later proved more difficult—missing MSI qualification and exiting Worlds in the quarterfinals after drawing Gen.G—HLE’s recent success and aggressive approach to roster building show a clear ambition to stay at the top. Indeed, according to sources close to Sheep Esports, the club is showing strong interest in signing Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu to replace Han “Peanut” Wang-ho who retired to begin his mandatory military service in South Korea.
With this move, as previously reported by Sheep Esports, T1 has secured Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan as their new AD carry for 2026, marking a major shift in the roster. Stepping into the spot previously held by Gumayusi, Peyz now carries the hopes of bringing an LCK title back to T1—something the team has been chasing since 2022. Peyz alreade proved he has all the mechanical talent needed to take on such a role, just as he showcased during his time with Gen.G in 2023 and 2024.
Header Photo Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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