T1’s Gumayusi engaged with fans during his birthday stream, thanking them for their support and sharing some thoughts on his career’s future.
T1’s League of Legends (LoL) team has always been in the spotlight, but this time, it’s for reasons that aren’t entirely positive. The five-time Worlds champion team not only failed to qualify for First Stand 2025 but also found itself at the center of controversy following a sudden roster change.
The issue can be traced back to Jan. 24, when T1 unexpectedly decided to sub in T1 Academy bot laner Sin "Smash" Guem-jae over T1 main botlaner Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyung during the Telecom war against KT Rolster. The decision sparked outrage among fans, who felt it was disrespectful to bench the two-time Worlds champion so early in the season without a clear explanation.
Finding support in difficult times
Gumayusi had initially addressed the situation through his T1 fan account, assuring fans that while he understood that fans would be confused and upset, he would use this opportunity to grow instead. He also spoke candidly about the situation during his birthday stream earlier this month, sharing how he has been coping with the unexpected change while taking time to interact with his supporters.
"They say you often find good people during tough times, like true role models. I feel like I've been experiencing that a lot. Of course, the fans too and the people around me — I feel like there are a lot of people who care about me."
Aside from always being ready in the team's room during all T1 matches, Gumayusi has remained focused and has been seen grinding relentlessly in solo queue. As of this article's writing, he sits at 1,085 LP, showcasing his commitment to reclaiming his spot on the main roster. He has been frequently seen practicing meta-relevant champions like Ezreal and Kai'Sa, signaling his determination to adapt and improve.
His hard work has not gone unnoticed, with fans expressing their admiration for his perseverance and saying that they are proud of him. In response, Gumayusi shared his mindset: "I live with that kind of mindset. I have this thought of, 'Let's make sure the fans aren't ashamed of being my fans.'"
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Special shoutout to Vietnamese fans
While T1 and Gumayusi enjoy a massive global fanbase, he was particularly surprised by the strong support from Vietnamese fans, who frequently watch his streams and send messages of encouragement. Expressing his gratitude, he shared his desire to visit Vietnam someday.
"I know that Vietnamese fans also send a lot of love. Thank you. Of course, there is also cheering from all other countries. I'm thankful to everyone. I don't think I've ever been to Vietnam. I want to go there someday."
Vietnamese fans have been a passionate force in LoL Esports, contributing over 1.1 million peak viewers to the Worlds 2024 finals. Their engagement in live chats and social media has only grown stronger, especially with the recent milestone set by Trần "LazyFeel" Bảo Minh, being the first non-Korean player to ever compete in the LCK.
A brief discussion on retirement
Gumayusi ended his birthday stream with a conversation about the future, including the topic of retirement — something fans aren’t eager to think about, especially given the current situation. However, he reassured them that while retirement is inevitable for every professional player, it’s not something he’s planning on anytime soon.
"I don't know how you'll take this if I say this, but after I retire, I wonder how my story will be completed. I'm really curious about that, too. I'm getting too used to my life as a professional gamer now, so later when I retire, I think it will feel awkward."
Watch the fan-translated stream below:
Stay tuned on esports.gg for more Gumayusi updates.
