With Worlds 2021 over, countless stories written, history made, and a champion crowned, comes the offseason—a crucial three-month window that will dictate what teams will look like next year.
In November, professional contracts for League of Legends players will begin to expire, signaling a chain of events from the LCS in North America all the way to the LCK in South Korea.
Some teams will look to improve upon their rosters in the offseason, extend contracts, and sign new players, while others will take a different approach, start from square one again, and rebuild.
Here are the confirmed and reported moves for teams in the LCK.
DRX
Sept. 17: CvMax, dongHo leaves
After a poor season, having placed 10th with a 2-16 record in the 2021 LCK Summer Split, DRX decided to let go of its coaching staff. Head coach Kim “cvMax” Dae-ho and coach Park “dongHo” Dong-ho became free agents.
Sept. 17: Destroy enters free agency
DRX allowed top lane substitute Yoon “Destroy” Jeong Min to explore his options ahead of the 2022 LCK season. The sub made just one appearance throughout the year (and lost) on Renekton.
Nov. 15: Coaches SSong and Bory leave
DRX parted ways with coach Kim “SSONG” Sang-soo and academy coach Lee “Bory” Seong-yun, whose contracts expired on Nov. 15.
Dec. 4: Zeka, Deft, and BeryL join
DRX acquired former Bilibili Gaming mid laner Zeka, former Hanwha Life Esports AD carry Deft, and former DWG KIA support BeryL. The players will join top laner Kingen and jungler Pysoik to make up the full roster.
Dec. 4: DRX signs coaching staff
DRX revealed its entire coaching staff, deciding to go down a different route for 2022. The team signed former Bilibili Gaming head coach Kim “Kim” Jeong-soo, former Royal Club coach Sin “Shine” Dong-wook, and former T1 Challengers jungler Mowgli, who will be transitioning to a coaching role.
Dec. 13: Jett parts ways
Jett and DRX went separate ways. The mid laner was partly responsible for one of the team’s worst seasons yet, placing a miserable 10th place with a 2-16 record in the LCK Summer Split. He joined Japanese team Sengoku Gaming.
Dec. 23: Jun demoted
Substitute support player Yoon “Jun” Se-joon was demoted to DRX’s sister team. He returns to DRX Challengers after just five months with the main roster.
DWG KIA
Nov. 15: Extends contract with Daeny
DWG KIA extended Yang “Daeny” Dae-in’s contract. His position in the team has yet to be announced, but he will likely retain his role as a strategic analyst.
Nov. 15: Khan, Canyon, ShowMaker, and BeryL enter free agency
Khan, Canyon, ShowMaker, and BeryL entered free agency. DWG KIA intends to “maintain a consistent communication with the players in hopes of re-signing the players” ahead of the 2022 season.
Nov. 16: Ares parts ways
Kim “Ares” Min-kwon, a former player turned coach, parted ways with DWG KIA. After being promoted from the academy in December 2020, he helped the team reach the finals of Worlds 2021.
Nov. 18: PoohManDu leaves
Lee “PoohManDu” Jeong-hyeon parted ways with DWG KIA after an 11-month spell. The assistant coach helped the team reach as far as the finals of Worlds 2021, where they lost to LPL rivals EDward Gaming.
Nov. 22: Zefa joins as coach
Lee “Zefa” Jae-min joined DWG KIA as a coach after parting ways with T1 in July. He returns to the team as an assistant to head coach kkOma.
Nov. 25: Ghost parts ways
DWG KIA parted ways with its weakest link after failing to defend its title at Worlds 2021.
Dec. 1: DWG KIA completes starting roster
DWG KIA completed its roster with the additions of Kellin and deokdam, formerly of Nongshim RedForce, and Burdol, formerly of Gen.G. The team managed to retain star players Canyon and ShowMaker.
Dec. 12: Hoya joins as substitute top laner
After parting ways with Fredit BRION, Hoya joined DRX as the team’s substitute top laner. He’ll stand in for Burdol, who joined the team in November, when necessary.
Dec. 12: DWG KIA promotes kkOma to “athletic director,” Daeny to head coach
DWG KIA promoted head coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun to “athletic director,” a role that will see him oversee the org’s LCK, LCK CL, and academy teams. Analyst Daeny, who has a background in coaching, has been promoted to head coach in kkOma’s place.
Dec. 23: Coach Bubbling promoted to main roster
DWG KIA Academy head coach Park “Bubbling” Jun-hyeong was promoted to DRX’s main roster. He’ll assist Yang “Daeny” Dae-in from a coaching position in 2022.
Fredit BRION
Nov. 14: Releases Hoya, Yaharong, and Chieftain
Fredit BRION parted ways with top laner Hoya, substitute jungler Lee “Chieftain” Jae-yub, and substitute mid laner Lee “Yaharong” Chan-ju.
Nov. 14: Extends contracts with UmTi, Lava, Hena, and Delight
Despite placing ninth with a 5-13 record in the 2021 LCK Summer Split, Fredit BRION rewarded jungler UmTi, mid laner Lava, ADC Hena, and support Delight with contract extensions.
Nov. 17: Sword joins as the team’s top laner
Fredit BRION announced the signing of former Griffin top laner Sword, who after becoming inactive and leaving his former team in January 2020, took a year’s break from competing in professional League of Legends.
Nov. 30: Morgan joins
Fredit BRION signed Morgan as its top laner. The player, formerly of Hanwha Life Esports, notoriously underperformed in 2021, despite making it all the way to the playoffs of the World Championship.
Gen.G
Nov. 9: Releases head coach oDin
Gen.G announced the departure of head coach Ju “oDin” Yeong-dal upon mutual agreement. The former StarCraft II player and long-time coach made the decision to explore his options as a free agent ahead of the next season.
Nov. 15: Rascal, YoungJae, and Ggoong leave
Top laner Rascal, substitute YoungJae, and coach Yu “Ggoong” Byeong-jun made the decision to part ways from the team after becoming free agents.
Nov. 17: Coach Lyn parts ways
Gen.G bid a fond farewell to Kim “Lyn” Da-bin, who was promoted from the academy team in December 2020. The coach saw out his one-year contract with the org.
Nov. 19: Clid left
Clid and Gen.G parted ways, ending a partnership spanning two years and 28 days. The decision to leave the squad comes after the player’s contract expired in November.
Nov. 23: Bdd and Life part ways
Gen.G made the decision to let go of Bdd and Life, who joined the squad in November 2019.
Nov. 23: Peanut, Doran, and Lehends join
Gen.G signed Peanut, formerly of Nongshim RedForce, Doran, formerly of KT Rolster, and Lehends, formerly of Afreeca Freecs. The org is taking a new direction in 2022.
Nov. 24: Chovy joins
Gen.G added Chovy to its starting roster. The former Hanwha Life Esports mid laner was one of the standout players in the LCK this year.
Nov. 24: Score, Mafa, and Museong join as coaches
Gen.G completed its roster by adding coaches Score, Mafa, and Museong. The veterans will look to contend for the top spot in the league next year.
Dec. 20: YoungJae promoted to starting roster
Ko “YoungJae” Young-jae was promoted to Gen.G’s starting roster for 2022. He will share the spot with Peanut, who joined the team on Nov. 23.
Hanwha Life Esports
Nov. 2: Heart leaves
Heart departed from Hanwha Life Esports after becoming inactive from the roster on Aug. 15, becoming a free agent. Son “Kezman” Dae-young remains with the team as the head coach.
Nov. 15: Chovy and Deft enter free agency
Chovy and Deft’s contracts expired with Hanwha Life Esports, prompting the duo to explore their options. “We thank them for their passion and dedication over the past time with the team and we respect their decision,” the org said on social media.
Nov. 22: Morgan part ways
Hanwha Life Esports let go of their weakest link and parted ways with Morgan. The top laner, formerly of Team WE and JD Gaming in the LPL, failed to live up to standards at Worlds 2021.
Nov. 26: yoHan leaves
After entering free agency, yoHan made the decision to leave the team. The jungler transitioned from a starting role in the 2021 LCK Spring Split to a substitute in the summer when Kim “Willer” Jeong-hyeon joined the squad.
Dec. 6: Hanwha Life Esports locks in roster
Hanwha Life Esports finalized its LCK roster with the signings of former Liiv SANDBOX jungler OnFleek, former Gen.G Challengers mid laner Karis, and former ThunderTalk Gaming AD carry SamD.
Jan. 2: Analyst Hipo promoted to coach
Kim “Bibra” Hyun-sik, who joined Hanwha life as an analyst in 2020, was promoted to a coaching role. He will assist head coach Son “Kezman” Dae-young.
Son "Kezman" Dae-young
KT Rolster
Nov. 15: Ucal, HyBriD, Zzus leave
KT Rolster said goodbye to mid laner Ucal, AD carry HyBriD, and support Zzus after the team placed seventh with a 7-11 record in the 2021 LCK Summer Split.
Nov. 15: Blank and Dove leave
Blank and Dove followed suit with Ucal, HyBriD, and Zzus and left KT Rolster.
Nov. 19: Signs Cuzz and Aiming
KT Rolster began reconstructing its roster with the signings of former T1 jungler Cuzz and former Bilibili Gaming AD carry Aiming. The two young and promising players act as building blocks for the team.
Nov. 23: Rascal and Life join
Rascal and Life, formerly of Gen.G, signed a one-year contract with KT Rolster. The team has now almost fully undergone a roster reshuffle this offseason.
Nov. 24: Dread joins as the team’s jungler
After leaving Afreeca Freecs on Nov. 15, Dread signed with Nongshim RedForce as the team’s starting jungler.
Dec. 1: Aria joins
KT Rolster signed former DetonatioN FocusMe mid laner Aria as its mid laner. Known for his prowess in the Japanese league, Aria will look to make a lasting impression in the LCK in 2022.
Dec. 22: 5kid leaves
Park “5kid” Jeong-hyeon, who had been occupying the AD carry position alongside Oh “Noah” Hyeon-taek, left KT Rolster to join Team Aze, a squad from the Latin American region.
Dec. 25: Harp parts ways
Lee “Harp” Ji-yoong left KT Rolster to join Japan’s DetonatioN FocusMe. Kim “Life” Jeong-min will take over the role of support next season.
Dec. 1: Coach mental leaves
KT Rolster parted ways with coach An “Mental” Hyo-yeon after a year and three days. He helped the team secure a seventh-place finish in the 2021 LCK Summer Split.
Dec. 1: Noah demoted to KT Challengers
“Noah” Hyeon-taek was demoted to KT Challengers, making way for Kim “Aiming” Ha-ram, who joined the team from Bilibili Gaming in November 2021.
Kwangdong Freecs
Nov. 15: Releases five players and two coaches
Afreeca Freecs, who placed sixth with a respectable 11-7 record in the 2021 LCK Summer Split, let go of Dread, Fly, Bang, Lehends, and Keine to kick off the offseason in South Korea. The org also parted ways with coaches Nam “Lira” Tae-yoo and Han “Rigby” Earl.
Nov. 20: Picks up four players
Afreeca Freecs signed FATE, Ellim, Teddy, and Hoit in an effort to re-establish themselves in the LCK. The team will look to compete for the top of the table in 2022.
Dec. 6: Bang retires
Bang retired from professional League of Legends to fulfill his duty in the military service in South Korea.
Dec. 21: Afreecs Freecs changes name to Kwangdong Freecs
Afreeca Freecs signed a naming sponsorship with Kwangdong Pharmaceutical. The team will play under the Kwangdong Freecs banner in 2022.
Dec. 22: Promotes coach Alvingo to main roster
Kwangdong Freecs promoted KDF Challengers head coach Choi “Alvingo” Byeong-cheol to the team’s main roster. He’ll coach in 2022 alongside Jang “Cain” Nu-ri
Liiv SANDBOX
Nov. 14: Summit, OnFleek leave
Liiv SANDBOX made the decision not to extend top laner Summit and jungler OnFleek’s contracts after the team failed to qualify for Worlds 2021. Summit subsequently signed with North America’s Cloud9 ahead of the next season.
Nov. 15: FATE, Effort, and Prince part ways
FATE, Price, and Effort left Liiv SANDBOX to explore their options ahead of the next season.
Nov. 15: Clozer joins as the team’s starting mid laner
Former T1 mid lane substitute Clozer signed with Liiv SANDBOX. The up-and-coming player will look to make a name for himself in 2022.
Nov. 18: Dove role-swaps, joins as top laner
Liiv SANDBOX signed former KT Rolster mid laner Dove, who parted ways with the team on Nov. 15. Dove, who played for SANDBOX for the best part of two years throughout 2019 and 2020, returns to the roster as a top laner.
Dec. 14: PawN joins as positional coach
PawN, the former world champion that played professionally from 2013 to 2019, joined Liiv SANDBOX as a positional coach on a two-year contract. He’ll assist head coach Kim “Micro” Mok-kyoung.
Dec. 19: Ice promoted to starting roster
Liiv SANDBOX called up Challengers AD carry Yoon “Ice” Sang-hoon to the team’s starting roster. The 19-year-old will share the role with Envyy in 2022.
Nongshim RedForce
Nov. 15: Gori, Wayne part ways
Nongshim RedForce parted ways with mid laner Gori and AD carry substitute Hwang “Wayne” Seo-hyeon. The team, after placing fourth in the LCK 2021 Summer Split playoffs and third in the regional finals, are taking a new direction in 2022.
Nov. 15: Comet re-signs
After acquiring Lim “Comet” Hye-sung in May 2021, Nongshim RedForce made the decision to re-sign the coach ahead of the 2022 season.
Nov. 17: Rich, deokdam, and Kellin leave
Nongshim RedForce parted ways with top laner Rich, AD carry deokdam, and support Kellin despite a promising season in the LCK. The players opted to explore their options.
Nov. 23: Peanut leaves
Peanut, one of the standout players on the roster, left Nongshim RedForce after exploring free agency. He joined Gen.G as the team’s starting jungler.
Nov. 23: Bdd joins
Nongshim RedForce signed former Gen.G mid laner Bdd. A successful run with his former team made him an attractive prospect for the underdogs.
Nov. 23: Effort joins as the team’s starting support
Nongshim RedForce signed former Liiv SANDBOX support Effort on a one-year contract. A roster reshuffle has completed transformed the team ahead of the next season.
Nov. 23: Canna and Ghost join
Former T1 top laner Canna and former DWG KIA AD Carry Ghost signed with Nongshim RedForce on a one-year contract, completing the team’s five-man roster ahead of the 2022 season.
T1
Nov. 8: Interim head coach Stardust parts ways
T1 and interim head coach Son “Stardust” Seok-hee mutually agreed to part ways following the team’s exit from Worlds 2021. As a free agent, Stardust is actively looking for a “new opportunity” ahead of the next season.
Nov. 11: Teddy explores options
Teddy explored his options overseas, according to a report by Upcomer.
Nov. 14: Hoit leaves
Hoit, who had been a substitute for support player Keria, parted ways with T1 after warming the bench for the majority of 2021. He signed with Afreeca Freecs as the team’s starting support on Nov. 20.
Nov. 15: Teddy parts ways
Teddy officially parted ways with T1 after expressing his desire to leave the team. “This was not an easy decision but was the right thing for Teddy to be able to continue his career and have a chance to find a team where he can start, T1 CEO Joe Marsh said in a statement on social media.
Nov. 15: Cuzz leaves
After taking a step back from T1’s starting roster in July and making way for Oner, Cuzz made the decision to leave the team.
Nov. 16: Clozer leaves
Substitute mid laner and Faker understudy Clozer parted ways with T1 and joined Liiv SANDBOX’s starting roster ahead of the 2022 season
Nov. 19: Faker renews contract for 2022
Faker renewed his contract with T1, signing on for a ninth consecutive year with the team. “[I’m] honored that Faker has chosen to re-sign with T1,” CEO Joe Marsh said in a statement on social media. “These past few days have been a lot of sleepless nights and long conversations with Faker and his team. Excited to continue on this journey together.”
Nov. 20: Ellim leaves
Ellim, who worked his way up from T1’s academy, made the decision to leave T1 after the team promoted Oner to the starting roster. The player left to join Afreeca Freecs with Teddy and Hoit.
Nov. 25: Canna parts ways following contract dispute
T1 and Canna went their separate ways, ending a short-lived contract dispute between the two parties. The team and the player were unable to come to an agreement regarding salary, resulting in Canna transferring to Nongshim RedForce.
Dec. 2: Zeus signs on another year
Substitute top laner Zeus extended his contract with T1 and signed on with the team for another year. It remains to be seen if he will take the starting role in 2022 or if the team will go in a different direction.
Dec. 2: Promotes Asper from T1 Challengers
T1 promoted support Kim “Asper” Tae-gi from T1 Challengers, who recently finished last place in the 2021 LCK CL Summer Split. He will likely play a substitute role in 2022.
Dec. 3: Extends Oner and Gumayuis’s contracts
T1 rewarded jungler Oner and AD carry Gumayusi with contract extensions, banking on the young and upcoming players to perform next year.
Dec. 3: Promotes Bengi, extends Polt and Moment’s contracts
T1 promoted Bae “Bengi” Seong-woong from T1 Challengers and extended the contracts of Choi “Polt” Seong-hun, the head coach and general manager of the team, and Kim “Moment” Ji-hwan, the assistant coach.
Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more esports news and analysis.
Published: Jan 3, 2022 06:20 am