T1 is going strong in the 2025 LCK Cup, but fans express frustration over the lack of clarity surrounding Gumayusi’s unexpected benching.
T1 has made a strong start to the 2025 League of Legends Championship Korea (LCK) Cup, currently leading Group Baron with a 3-1 record as the tournament finishes its second week. However, not all fans are celebrating the moment as an issue arises regarding the sudden benching of T1’s star botlaner, Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyung, which came without prior notice or explanation.
Gumayusi benched early in 2025 LCK Cup
T1 who debuted their new DOFGK roster began their 2025 LCK Cup campaign with a narrow 1-2 loss to DK but quickly rebounded with a 2-1 victory over DRX. However, fans were surprised in the second week when T1 introduced a major roster change with Academy bot laner Sin "Smash" Guem-jae replacing Gumayusi in the starting lineup.
Smash brought a fresh perspective to the team with a champion pool more aligned with the current meta. He showcased versatility by playing five different champions — Kai’Sa, Xayah, Ezreal, Jinx, and Caitlyn — across five matches, securing four wins. His standout performance during the Telecom War against KT Rolster earned him the Player of the Match title, proving his ability to compete at the LCK level.
Fan backlash over lack of communication
Despite Smash’s strong performances, T1 fans were upset about the lack of transparency regarding Gumayusi’s benching. Many criticized the organization for failing to communicate the decision beforehand, expressing their dissatisfaction on T1 Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
Substitutions are not uncommon in the LCK—for instance, DRX Academy player LazyFeel recently stepped in for Teddy due to health concerns. However, DRX ensured the decision was publicly announced on social media and through the LCK before the match.
In contrast, T1 made no official announcement, leaving fans only to discover the lineup change during the Jan. 24 match against KT. Even the LCK casters could only offer vague explanations. This led frustrated fans to voice their displeasure on social media, accusing the organization of disrespecting Gumayusi and his loyal fans. In South Korea, some fans took further action by organizing a message truck to deliver complaints directly to T1’s headquarters.
While many fans expressed frustration, others viewed the benching as a reasonable move. They argued that experimenting with the roster early in the season could benefit T1 in the long run. Smash, a rising talent who has received praise from Rekkles during T1 Academy days, is deemed to fit well into the current meta.
Some fans also noted that giving Gumayusi a break could be beneficial. With less immediate pressure, he has more time to study the evolving meta and recover from the demanding schedule of competitive play. T1 has previously had to rely on emergency substitutes, such as Poby and Guwon stepping in for Faker and Oner due to health issues. By building experience for Smash by letting him play on a bigger stage, T1 can prepare a proper substitute to fill in an emergency.
Related articles
T1 responded to fans outrage
T1’s head coach, Kim "kkOma" Jeong-gyun, addressed the situation in a post-match interview on Jan. 24, offering insight into the decision:
With the long LKC regular season still ahead, we're using the LCK Cup to experiment and gather as much good data as possible. In today's case, like with the roster announcement and such, personally when I think about that, I wasn't quite sure what we should take away from it.
Gumayusi also shared his thoughts regarding his benching through a statement on his fan account, acknowledging fans’ concerns and emphasizing his commitment to growth:
I know today’s news might have surprised and upset many of you. It was the same for me when I first heard about it. but this is something that will and has happened to anyone. After reflecting on the situation, I see it as a chance for grow again. I’ve worked hard to protect this position for three years, and it feels awkward to have an absent period. As I always say, if you trust and wait for me, I will be back better. Thank you, as always.
Based on both statements, it seems the roster change may last longer than initially expected. With Smash showing promise and Gumayusi determined to come back stronger, T1’s future looks bright as they aim to remain competitive in the LCK.
Fans hope T1 can address the concerns surrounding communication while continuing to build a strong foundation for the season and be ready just in time for their attempt for the historic three consecutive Worlds win.
Stay tuned on esports.gg for T1 updates.
