T1 Parts Ways with Gumayusi, Eyes Peyz as Replacement
T1, the most recent Worlds winners has likely earned the award for biggest shock move of the off-season. Worlds MVP and long-time ardent T1 pillar Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong has left the organization just over a week after the roster lifted their third consecutive Worlds trophy in Chengdu.
In his stead, an early report from Alejandro Gomis and Brieuc Seeger confirms that former Gen.G superstar ADC Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan will be Gumayusi’s replacement.
T1 and Gumayusi Part Ways
After seven long and successful years together, the T1 Bot Laner has elected to part ways with an organization that he has spent essentially his entire career with. The final year of their partnership was marked by early roster indecision, with Gumayusi benched by the coaching staff in favour of Shin “Smash” Geum-jae, a rising ADC talent that T1 had been attempting to field in a 6-man roster attempt.
Following an intervention from T1 CEO Joe Marsh, the decision to bench Gumayusi was overridden and the player returned to the active roster. Gumayusi would cap off his 2025 by not only lifting a third consecutive Worlds title but also earn himself the accolade of Finals MVP for his performance against KT Rolster in the pivotal Grand Finals.
While this departure is significantly less chaotic than Choi "Zeus" Woo-je's last year, it is no less shocking. The 23-year-old AD carry was a pivotal pillar for all of their Worlds runs and will be sorely missed heading into the new season.
As for Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon, his contract is up at the end of this year. While there has been no news of a re-signing yet, there is little reason for him not to, given the unprecedented success he has already found on T1 within a year of signing with the organization. For the remaining 3 core members, Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok have signed until 2026, while Faker is signed until 2029, securing the remaining OFK for the next season.
Gumayusi's departure from T1 marks the second departure of the iconic ZOFGK lineup in 2 years. Credit: Yicun Liu/Riot GamesPeyz Returns to the LCK
After a year abroad, Peyz has now returned to Korea. The 2023 LCK Rookie of the Year debuted with an electrifying brilliance. Now 19 years old, he already boasts one of the most incredible resumes in the LCK, including three LCK titles and an MSI victory (all under the Gen.G banner).
His 2025 season did not, however, shape up as expected. After a benching from Gen.G following a disappointing end to another Worlds run, the team parted ways with the young ADC in favor of Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk. With few enticing prospects left in the LCK, Peyz packed his bags and headed for the LPL, joining JD Gaming.
A promising first split quickly took a turn as quickly as Spring, where JD Gaming ended 7th-8th after losing to Team WE. An improved Summer Split saw team reach all the way to the final qualifying round, but fell just shy to Invictus Gaming.
Peyz and Doran will reunite under the T1 banner after 2 years (credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)Skillcheck Botlane
While many will lament the departure of Gumayusi, the arrival of Peyz does much to soften the blow.
The pairing between Peyz and Keria is a much anticipated one. Both players are highly regarded for their mechanical talent and lane prowess and the partnership will undoubtedly form one of the deadliest botlanes going into 2026.
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Featured Image Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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