Faker has spoken publicly for the first time about Gumayusi’s departure from T1, closing one of the most emotional chapters in the reigning World Champions’ recent history.

The comments came on November 23 during a fan meeting, just hours before Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) officially confirmed the signing of Gumayusi as their new ADC for the 2026 LCK season. With the offseason nearing its end, this “final bombshell” of the transfer window completed the rebuilding efforts across all LCK teams.

“I feel like my teammates have really grown. I used to make pretty emotional calls during matches, but now that’s happening a lot less,” Faker shared. “Gumayusi has always been calm by nature, and both Oner and Keria have matured significantly.”

While T1 has been quietly scrubbing references to Gumayusi including removing his branding and avoiding mentions during post-Worlds content Faker has once again shown his leadership by openly acknowledging the departure, much like he did with Zeus a year earlier.

Gumayusi becomes the second member of the celebrated “ZOFGK” lineup to leave T1 after Zeus, both now wearing HLE’s orange jersey. This sets the stage for a high-stakes rivalry in 2026, with many fans anticipating emotional matchups between Faker and his former “younger brothers.”

“Zeus had his standout moments facing T1 in 2025,” noted one analyst. “Now with Gumayusi by his side, HLE is no longer just a dark horse they’re a true powerhouse.”

As the 2026 season approaches, the League of Legends community is abuzz with questions: Can Faker’s new T1 squad defend their legacy? Or will the very teammates he helped build now rise as his fiercest challengers?

Either way, the showdown promises to be one of the most emotional and unforgettable narratives of the upcoming LCK season.

Sources: gamek