Oner says he wants a long future with T1, calls it his way of giving back to fans

It has almost felt like a tradition for T1 recently, as every World Championship victory has been followed by a key player’s exit, beginning with Zeus in 2024 and continuing with Gumayusi this year. However, fans have been offered some relief, with the team’s star jungler making it clear that he has no plans to move on anytime soon.

“I want to play for T1 for a long time. It was also my way of repaying the love I receive from the fans. I said that I want to become T1’s franchise player because I am so happy and satisfied playing with my teammates at T1,” Oner said in an interview with OSEN. 

Oner has been a cornerstone of T1’s success in recent years, anchoring the team’s jungle with consistency and leadership across multiple championship runs in LCK and other events. After becoming a regular starter, he’s been an essential part of the team’s macro play and objective control, often enabling his lanes to play aggressively while maintaining map pressure.

His synergy with Faker and the rest of the roster has been a defining factor in T1’s sustained dominance, particularly on the international stage, where his clutch performances and champion pool flexibility have repeatedly shaped high-stakes series. While he is popular among fans for his iconic way of wearing his jacket and other backstage quirks, Oner is far more than a style icon. His continued dominance in the jungle is crucial to T1’s ability to preserve its status as Korea’s top team and remain a force on the international stage.

The star jungler said he was “disappointed” not to be selected for the last Asian Games, but emphasized that the setback has only motivated him to work harder and improve his play in hopes of earning a spot on the national team in the future. Last year, Kanavi played for the South Korean squad, which ultimately won the gold medal, and every teammate secured a special exemption from mandatory military service in the country. 

“Of course I want to compete (in the Asian Games). It’s a tremendous honor to represent our country with the Taegeuk (South Korean) symbol on my chest. Still, I believe that the tournament should feature the best players, so I’ll do my best to improve my skills to be selected,” Oner said. 

T1 has just won the KeSPA Cup 2025 with their newest AD carry, Peyz, to wrap up the competitive calendar of 2025. The team will return next year to play in the LCK Cup.