Gumayusi opens up about leaving T1 and finding a new home at HLE

Gumayusi has spoken publicly for the first time about his departure from T1, addressing the wave of speculation from the League of Legends esports community that followed his move to Hanwha Life Esports. 

In a livestream on Instagram, the star AD carry firmly denied rumors that he left T1 due to hate comments from anonymous groups like T1 Support Gallery, infamously known as T1Gall. Recently, the South Korean National Assembly member Jeon Yong-gi also called on KeSPA, Riot Korea, and esports clubs to take steps to address these concerns. 

“Some people have said things like, ‘He left because of the people who hated him, the ones harassing him.’ That’s absolutely not the case. I really wanted to say that. I never thought switching teams would magically make that problem disappear, and I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff anyway,” Gumayusi said, debunking rumours that he left the storied organization due to negativity from fans or community pressure.

Gumayusi’s journey at T1 spans nearly seven years, from joining as a trainee in late 2018 to becoming one of the most decorated ADCs in League. According to the Worlds 2025 MVP, his decision to join HLE was rooted in personal considerations.

“The reason I chose Hanwha, like I said in the articles, is that this was my first time as a free agent. Thankfully, I got offers from a lot of teams, so I thought about it a lot. Hanwha Life evaluated me very positively, and I’ve always thought well of Hanwha too, so I decided to join them,” he explained.

One of Gumayusi’s early goals with HLE is to qualify for MSI 2026, setting a clear benchmark for the team’s ambitions. For the roster, signing a player of his caliber together with Kanavi from the LPL, who replaces Peanut in the jungle, signals a major statement heading into the 2026 season. Gumayusi is also joining his former T1 teammate Zeus.

While domestic titles are well within reach, HLE’s major moves also indicate that the team is preparing to compete with the best teams on the international stage. As for Gumayusi himself, the transfer represents both a fresh start and a chance to redefine his competitive identity outside the proven T1 legacy.