Many viewers have discovered T1’s controversial actions
In recent days, the drama surrounding T1 shows no signs of cooling down. On various forums, debates within the League of Legends community regarding T1’s treatment of its players continue to arise. Recently, viewers noticed that T1 seemed to have received gifts intended for Smash from a notorious group of anti-fans of Gumayusi in the LCK.
Specifically, on the afternoon of February 27 (Vietnam time), Smash posted a photo with a caption stating it was a gift from fans. However, many fans discovered that the act of gifting to Smash was seen as a significant operation of the aforementioned anti-fan group and was publicly discussed a few days prior.
Notably, T1 has very strict oversight regarding fan gifts. This anti-fan group had previously sent a funeral car and wreaths to criticize Gumayusi in past years. Therefore, T1’s actions have sparked new suspicions and controversies. According to some fans, it seems that T1 is using the anti-fans of one player to increase the popularity of another player.
T1’s move can be said to be unprecedented in the history of League of Legends
It is normal for players to have fans and anti-fans. However, if T1 is indeed acting as some fans suspect, this would be an unprecedented situation in the history of League of Legends. Even if the LCK has a trend of “idolizing” players, no K-pop group has ever acted in such a way.
Furthermore, this could affect other players and subsequently lower T1’s performance. If even in the LCK Cup 2025 – a tournament merely serving as a warm-up, T1 cannot present the best strategies to secure victory, then fans are entitled to be suspicious. With the World Championship having more variables, no one can be sure they will still have the “champion aura” as in the past two years, especially when two pillars of that success have either left or are being “banished” to the bench.