It took 7 years for Gumayusi to prove himself to T1, but only 1 year for T1 to lose Gumayusi.
It can be said that it has been a long time since Bang and Wolf decided to part ways with T1, and T1 fans worldwide have only recently experienced a sadness similar to that of the end of the 2025 transfer season. When Zeus left, many may have been shocked or outraged, but perhaps no one felt as heartbroken or frustrated with the T1 management as they did when Gumayusi left. In terms of expertise, Gumayusi was the only marksman who proved he deserved to inherit Bang’s legacy. Emotionally, Gumayusi was the “final marksman of the SKT T1 dynasty” and was seen as the only one who could “inherit Faker’s visual someday.”
The reason for this lies with T1 itself. Perhaps there has never been a case in traditional sports or Esports where a player successfully defended the biggest title of the year, only to be benched after just 2 matches into the new season (1 win – 1 loss), with a normal attitude towards training and competition. Especially when that player was a crucial pillar in every title that team achieved.
Furthermore, it is rare in Esports for a player to be benched for unclear reasons, then return to play at their highest potential, yet continuously face “terror” through protesting trucks and funeral flowers throughout the year regardless of whether the team is winning or losing. Gumayusi is the one who possesses these peculiar and unique stories.
And throughout all these stories, T1 remained completely silent or only made very “neutral” statements. The situation with the T1Gall group not only attacked Gumayusi but also his family, as well as KOLs, streamers, and players… who defended Gumayusi, is something everyone has seen. But T1’s management did nothing.
On many forums, not just T1 fans or Gumayusi fans, but KOLs, commentators, and even fans of other teams and T1’s anti-fans also felt wronged for Gumayusi. It is rare for a player leaving a team to evoke feelings of regret but also satisfaction within the entire League of Legends community, as now he no longer has to endure heavy words or the “terror” of anti-fans without any protection from his management.
Gumayusi has completed his mission
Since Gumayusi joined T1 and Bang left in 2018, he was still a young marksman, lacking experience, competitive spirit, and skills compared to his senior. He himself did not coordinate well with Keria back then to create the legendary bot duo they have today. But by 2025, Gumayusi proved he was the number 1 marksman in the League of Legends scene.
Of course, when Gumayusi leaves T1, many T1 fans may no longer support him as he is now on another battlefield. But perhaps, for T1 fans and the League of Legends community in general, Gumayusi deserves the title of “T1 Prince” that people have generously bestowed upon him as he began to shine. As for T1, they may bring in Peyz – a name of high quality as well. But to find a second Gumayusi, it will take a long time.