Smash joins DK ahead of the 2026 season

One of Korea’s most promising ADCs, Shin "Smash" Geum-jae, now gets his chance to shine on the Tier 1 stage after signing with Dplus KIA (DK) for the 2026 season. After four years with T1, the ADC will switch to blue and white, aiming to prove his worth with Dplus KIA.

For many fans, this is the move Smash needed to truly shine as an ADC. The 19-year-old leaves T1 after four years to join DK, aiming to help the team improve results after failing to qualify for the LoL Worlds, a first in the organization’s history. With this addition to the roster, DK has finalized their lineup for the upcoming season.

This transfer window also marks Career’s Tier 1 debut. The rookie previously competed with DRX Challengers and BNK FEARX Youth.

After four years moving from Rokkies to Challengers and even the Esports Academy, Smash steadily gained valuable experience with one of the world’s top teams. Then, in 2025, he finally got his chance on the main stage, subbing for Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong.

However, the move drew criticism from some fans, who accused the organization of mistreating Gumayusi and opposed the idea of a six-man roster. Despite Smash’s good performances, T1 supporters were frustrated by the lack of transparency surrounding Gumayusi’s benching. In March 2025, Gumayusi returned to the main roster, while Smash came back to the Academy team.

Eight months later, Smash departs T1 and signs with DK. Will he finally shine on the main stage and showcase his talent to the top teams?

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