In 2022, a shocking event occurred in the VCS and LCK communities when Tlong – a player who at that time was still an unknown name in the Vietnamese League of Legends scene, became the first Vietnamese player to join the LCK region, playing for Fredit BRION Challengers in the youth league. This was quite unusual, and people eagerly searched for information about Tlong. However, at that time, Tlong had not made any notable fame or impression. People only knew that this player played the Mid Lane position, was born in 2003, and had been considered to join Saigon Buffalo when Coach Ren was still in charge of the team.
However, Tlong had to return to VCS without having made any significant impact. Notably, since leaving the LCK, Tlong’s name has disappeared from the Vietnamese League of Legends scene. He has not appeared in livestreams or professional competitions. In fact, Tlong briefly joined Team Whales during the VCS Hừng Đông 2023 phase. However, he then went back to being “off the radar”. Many fans speculated that GAM Esports could recruit Tlong after Kati’s departure, or that SofM’s Vikings Esports could acquire this player. Ultimately, GAM chose Blazes while VE finalized their lineup with Kati.
Many opinions surround the issues Tlong is facing, but recently, during a livestream by Levi, the truth was revealed. Throughout the entire match with Levi, Coach Archie, and another foreign player, Rest from CBTC Flying Oyster, Tlong was extremely silent, not saying anything at all. Even Rest attempted to communicate with teammates in Vietnamese, while Tlong remained completely quiet throughout the match. Even Levi was at a loss on how to help his younger teammate.
At this point, the audience has realized why someone with the opportunity to join the LCK like Tlong has found himself unemployed until now. Communication has become the biggest barrier for this player, and Tlong himself has not improved in that aspect. Notably, the APAC server gathers players from many regions, and if they do not communicate with each other, it is no different from “self-destruction”.
Currently, the situation is being widely discussed among the VCS audience. Tlong himself probably understands his own issues, but he has not found a way forward for himself.