Zeus does not re-sign with T1, Doran to join as the new Top Laner
Worlds 2023 MVP Choi “Zeus” Woo-je has decided to part ways with T1 following the organization and roster’s second consecutive World Championship victory. In his stead, former Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) Top Laner Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon will be joining the prestigious organization for the first time in his career.
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, '𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧' ‘Doran’ 최현준 선수가 LCK 팀에 합류합니다. T1과 함께 더 높은 곳에서 빛날 ‘Doran’ 선수에게 많은 응원과 격려 부탁드립니다! ‘Doran’ joined the T1 LCK team. Please support him as the new top laner for T1 and help him shine even brighter at T1!
This move also marks the completion of the T1 roster for the 2025 season. With the successful re-signing of 3 of their 5 members and the retaining of Faker until 2025, Doran formed the final piece to the T1 puzzle. ZOFGK is dead. Long-live DOFGK.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, '𝐙𝐞𝐮𝐬' LCK 팀의 ‘Zeus’ 최우제 선수와의 계약이 종료되었습니다. 지난 여정을 함께해준 ‘Zeus’ 선수에게 감사의 마음을 전하며, 앞으로의 여정도 응원하겠습니다. Today, we part ways with 'Zeus'. We truly thank him for all that he has accomplished at T1 and wish
Zeus is the New Ringo
The 20-year-old Top Laner is already one of the most accomplished players in the game and in strong conversation as the best Top Laners in the world - certainly one of the most mechanically gifted.
More than that, Zeus was part of a roster that just 3 weeks ago made history by being the first roster to win not just 2 World Championships, but back-to-back World Championships. With 4 of the 5 T1 members having signed on for the 2025 season as well, it was almost expected that Zeus would follow suit, but it appears he has had his fill and seeks for a new challenge.
Zeus delivered 3 years of greatness with T1 as one of the best Top Laners in the world. (Credit: Fernando Decillis/Riot Games)Doran under Unbelievable Pressure
No matter which member of the ZOFGK roster an outside player replaces, the pressure would have been enormous. Despite only winning a single LCK split, ZOFGK successfully lifted the Summoner’s Cup 2 times across their 3-year long run and made all 3 World finals.
Doran, meanwhile, has had the opposite trajectory to Zeus. Since joining Gen.G in 2022, Doran has been in 5 of the 6 LCK Finals (Spring and Summer). He has also won 4 of those 5 finals, 3 of which he did with Gen.G, and the final win during his time with HLE.
However, he has not had the same fortune when it comes to the matter of Worlds. Doran has attended Worlds 4 times in a row, on DRX, twice on Gen.G, and with HLE. He was eliminated in the quarterfinals 3 of those 4 times, and in the semifinals in 2022. Zeus meanwhile, attended Worlds 3 times, reached the finals all 3 times, and won 2 of the 3 times.
The ultimate monkey’s paw in many ways. One can only win domestic titles, the other only internationally. The question is, can Faker and co. finally break Doran’s streak? Or was Zeus the true kingmaker all along?
Once a feared foe across the Rift for T1, Doran now joins their ranks. (Credit: Liu YiCun/Riot Games)T1 League of Legends 2025 Current Roster
- Top: Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon
- Jgl: Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun
- Mid: Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok
- ADC: Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong
- Supp: Ryu "Keria" Min-seok
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Featured Image Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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