March 30, 2025 – Following a rocky start to the year, T1 has officially reinstated Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong as the starting AD carry for the 2025 LCK Spring Split.
The move comes after a disappointing LCK Cup performance, where the reigning world champions placed sixth—well below expectations after winning consecutive Worlds titles.
T1’s sudden roster changes and lack of communication drew criticism from fans, casting doubt over the team’s direction for the new season.
In a statement on X, T1 CEO Joe Marsh clarified that the decision to bench Gumayusi in favor of rookie Sin "Smash" Geum-jae was made by the coaching staff, who sought to assess the rookie in a competitive setting.
Smash’s strong tournament showing secured him the starting role throughout the LCK Cup, playing 15 matches, including the elimination loss to Hanwha Life Esports, while Gumayusi appeared in just five.
Hanwha Life Esports went on to dominate the event, winning both the LCK Cup and First Stand 2025 without dropping a single series.
According to Oracle’s Elixir, Smash recorded a 7.5 KDA—the second-highest among ADCs in the tournament, trailing only Kim "Aiming" Ha-ram. Despite Smash’s impressive stats, Marsh confirmed that Gumayusi will reclaim the starting role for the Spring Split, though both players will continue competing for the spot in practice.
The coaching staff will have the final say, basing their decision on ongoing performance.
Marsh also revealed that he personally urged the coaching staff to give Gumayusi another chance, expressing confidence in his ability to reaffirm his status as the world's top bot laner.
T1 had initially intended to retain its full Worlds-winning roster for 2025, but the departure of top laner Choi "Zeus" Woo-je to Hanwha Life led to the signing of Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon as his replacement.
Gumayusi’s temporary benching further heightened fan concerns, particularly over the decision to place a rookie in such a high-pressure role.