After Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong and T1 parted ways earlier today, the Korean organization has reportedly wasted no time to secure its next bot laner, who is going to carry the team’s flag for the next few years.
Initial reports by Sheep Esports indicate that former MSI champion Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan is set to join T1 as the team’s new starting AD carry for the 2026 season.
The 19-year-old AD carry is known for his deadly mechanics, hyper-carry champion pool, and calm under pressure. Peyz has long been considered one of the most promising prodigy ADCs to emerge from Korea. After a successful year with Gen.G Academy, he made his way to the main roster in 2022 and stayed for two years, winning the MSI 2024 and multiple domestic LCK splits, with decisive wins over T1.
The reported move would mark Peyz’s high-profile return to the LCK after spending recent splits in the LPL with JD Gaming, where the team started 2025 on a high note, but fell short of securing solid results throughout the season. Nonetheless, Peyz’s overall performance was pretty good and his possible return to T1 could give him a stage to prove his mechanics against the best teams.
T1’s search for a new bot-lane leader began immediately after the departure of Gumayusi, the three-time world champion and one of the cornerstones of the team’s historic dynasty. The team announced the Gumayusi’s departure just over a week after winning Worlds 2025, and reports suggest that he might end up taking Peyz’s role in the JDG roster. For T1, filling Gumayusi’s big shoes requires a player with both star power and championship pedigree, qualities that Peyz possess.
If the deal materializes, Peyz will join forces with world-class support Ryu “Keria” Min-seok to form one of the most dangerous bot lanes heading into 2026. With veterans Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun, and Choi “Doran” Hyeon-jun already settling into the lineup, T1 appears well-positioned to rebuild quickly and mount another Worlds run.
As the official announcement has not been made by T1 or JDG regarding the player, you can take it with a grain of salt until the news becomes official.
