Gumayusi finds new home in Hanwha Life Esports

Three-time world champion and ex-T1 player Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyung is bringing his talents and experience to Hanwha Life Esports. With his signing, HLE's new roster is complete as they make another bid to be the best League of Legends team in the world.

Shortly after T1 announced the departure of their star ADC, Hanwha Life Esports confirmed their signing of Gumayusi for the 2026 LCK season.

"With his exceptional performance and extensive experience, Gumayusi will help lead Hanwha Life Esports toward even greater heights," the official post from HLE read. "We kindly ask for your continued support as we begin our journey with Gumayusi in the 2026 season."

Gumayusi has been with T1 for his entire professional career, making HLE only the second organization he has been a part of since his debut in 2019. However, this does reunite him with his former top-laner, Choi "Zeus" Woo-je.

He is replacing Park "Viper" Do-hyeon, who wore the HLE colors for three years. Viper himself is a great player, having one Worlds win under his belt. This was when he was part of the Chinese team EDward Gaming, with whom he lifted the Summoners' Cup in 2021. Viper's next destination is currently unconfirmed, but rumors suggest he might be making a return to the LPL.

Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan will take Gumayusi's newly vacated spot in T1.

Hanwha Life Esports also lost a jungler due to Han "Peanut" Wang-ho's mandatory military service and retirement, which he announced after being eliminated from Worlds 2025. To fill his shoes, HLE signed on Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok. This marks Kanavi's return to the LCK, following his brief but turbulent stint with Griffin in 2019.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team (and coach) have all extended their contracts.

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