[2025 Latest] Why did Gumayushi leave T1? The truth behind his sudden transfer at the peak of his career

Why did Gumayusi decide to leave T1 amidst the culmination of three consecutive World Championship victories and being named Finals MVP? We'll take a deep look at the latest information, including his contract structure, market value, T1's restructuring strategy, and why Hanwha Life is considered the most likely destination for him.

 

 

table of contents 1. Why did Gumayushi announce his departure right after winning the championship? 2. One-year contracts and a sudden rise in market value create a turning point 3. The real reason why T1 chose not to renew their contract 4. Why Hanwha Life Esports is considered the most likely new home 5. T1's aim in using Faze as the replacement ADC 6. The T1 Dynasty and Gumayushi's legacy on the world stage 7. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

 

1. Why did Gumayushi announce his departure right after winning the championship?

 

Shortly after T1 won their third consecutive LoL World Championship in 2025, with Gumayushi himself receiving the Finals MVP award, T1 suddenly announced the termination of his contract on their official social media accounts. The fact that their departure from a central player of their dynasty was announced in the midst of a victory celebration shocked not only fans but the entire industry.

 

However, this timing is no coincidence. Gumayushi is the only one of the four main players on a one-year contract, and it was confirmed early on that he would become a free agent in November 2025, when the Stove League begins. A combination of factors, including further increases in value, offers from other teams, and the player's own desire for new challenges, appears to have led T1 to make the unusual decision to announce his departure, right after winning the championship.

 

 

 

 

2. One-year contracts and a sudden rise in market value create a turning point

 

Gumayushi had chosen a one-year contract with T1, meaning he could potentially hit the free agent market each year. While this was a strategic choice for the player to maximize value, it also meant that T1 faced the risk of expensive contract renewal negotiations every year.

 

His achievement as the 2025 World Championship Finals MVP instantly raised his market valuation to the highest level in the world. In the free agent market, multiple teams are able to make high offers, making it extremely difficult for T1 to keep him under the previous terms.

 

Below is a summary of the evaluations made during that period.

 

item	Content
Contract type	One-year contract
Rating increase	Worlds Finals MVP maximizes market value
Annual salary level	Reaching the top ranks of the LCK
FA market	He is the biggest star player and is of interest to multiple teams.
T1 burden	Significant increase in annual salary and contract terms

The fact that it was a one-year contract was what made this turning point decisive.

 

 

 

 

3. The real reason why T1 chose not to renew their contract

 

The reason why T1 did not renew Gumayushi's contract is not just about the amount of money, but also has a deep connection to the team's long-term strategy. Based on the testimony of multiple people involved, T1 was focusing on "how to fight for the next three years," and rebuilding the roster was an inevitable step.

 

 

perspective	detail
Financial Balance	Risk of excessive investment in a single player
Generational change	Plans to form a new roster centered around young players
Player's will	Gumayushi wants to take on new challenges
Strategic Reorganization	Considering a shift to a balanced roster

It would be more natural to see T1 as choosing "structural reform" rather than "separation."

 

 

 

 

4. Why Hanwha Life Esports is considered the most likely new home

 

Many people involved in Korean e-sports consider Gumayushi's most likely destination to be Hanwha Life eSports (HLE) Hanwha has clearly made acquiring an "ace-level jungler" and "world-class ADC" their top priority for the Stove League, and Gumayushi fits those criteria perfectly.

 

Hanwha's team colors are

 

▪️Attacking game development

▪️Focus on carry performance in the second half

▪️Prefers a battle-focused composition

 

These characteristics make him a perfect match for Gumayushi's style, which has proven to be strong in international matches.
For this reason, multiple media outlets have reported that Hanwha has been taking proactive action since the stove league began.

 

 

 

 

5. T1's aim in using Faze as the replacement ADC

 

Assuming Gumayushi will be leaving, T1 has listed former JDG member Faze (Kim Soo-hwan) as their first candidate to replace him. Faze is a young player who is highly regarded for his stability in lane, his focus in the late game, and his decision-making skills in team fights, and is attracting attention as the "next generation ADC."

 

T1's aim in using FaZe is to "rebuild the team in a balanced way."

 

perspective	explanation
future potential	Very young at 20 years old, allowing for long-term development
stability	He doesn't have the explosive power of Gumayushi, but he has less fluctuation in the game.
Team Structure	Breaking away from the existing "super-powerful Batman" configuration
Overall optimization	Reorganization plan focused on strengthening balance across all lanes

 

It can be said that T1 chose to "create the next dynasty" rather than "continue the dynasty."

 

 

 

 

6. The T1 Dynasty and Gumayushi's legacy on the world stage

Gumayushi was a player who symbolized T1's resurgence.
In particular, his three consecutive World Championship victories from 2023 to 2025 solidified his historic reputation as an AD carry.

 

item	Achievements
Worlds Champion	3 times (2023/2024/2025)
Worlds Finals MVP	2,025
LCK Champion	2 times
MSI Prize Winner	Multiple times
Currently enrolled in T1	7 years
Worldwide Rating	"The world's strongest ADC"

 

Among T1's ADC lineage, which continues from Bang, Teddy, and Gumayusi, he is the player who has achieved the greatest results as the "center of the second dynasty."

 

 

 

 

7. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1. Was the reason for his departure due to discord or internal issues?
A. There is no evidence of this, and contract terms, market value, and team strategy are believed to be the main factors.

 

 

Q2. Is the transfer to Hanwha confirmed?
A. There has been no official announcement yet, but multiple sources have acknowledged that he is the leading candidate.

 

 

Q3. Will T1's strength be reduced?
A. It is certainly a loss in terms of individual firepower, but T1 has redesigned their roster with an emphasis on long-term stability.

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