Introduction: The S16 season competition has officially begun, and it is believed that most players have been following the recent matches. After the conclusion of the Global Pioneer Tournament, the LCK region faced a severe setback. As the widely recognized top competitive region globally, LCK enjoys high popularity and attention, and had sent two elite teams to participate in this event. However, they were successively defeated by G2 in the knockout stage, suffering a direct 0-6 sweep, which led to widespread dismay among Korean fans. Recently, LCK officials announced adjustments for the second stage: two teams have been renamed, and T1 officially announced news that shocked all players—a veteran key figure is taking a break, yet this move was met with applause from many players.

T1 Veteran Kkoma Officially Announces Break

Most players are quite familiar with T1, a top-tier powerhouse in the LCK region. Over the past few years, their overall performance has been outstanding, reaching the World Finals consecutively for four years and winning the championship three times in a row, solidifying their status as the undisputed six-time champions—a record unmatched by any team across major regions. After roster restructuring in the new season, T1’s group stage results were decent, advancing to the knockout stage with a perfect win record. However, issues emerged in subsequent BO5 matches; after consecutive losses to BFX and DK, they were eliminated and missed the Pioneer Tournament.

At that time, many netizens defended T1, noting that the team typically updates its roster during each transfer period. This season, they even acquired a new AD player, Peyz. The entire team was still in a磨合期 (磨合期:磨合期), and T1 is not traditionally a strong team early in the season—they usually gain momentum in the mid-to-late stages, especially upon entering international tournaments. Even if they aren’t LCK champions, in recent years, once they reach the world stage, they often achieve consecutive wins to claim the title. It was assumed the team wouldn’t undergo major changes, but following LCK’s official roster announcement, T1 indeed faced some adjustments.

The official announcement stated that before the season started, Coach Kkoma expressed his wish to take a temporary break due to personal reasons. After thorough discussion, the club decided to respect his choice; Kkoma will begin his leave starting from the 2026 LCK regular season. Coach Tom will assume the role of acting head coach and lead the team. This news quickly sparked widespread discussion among players online, even receiving applause, as during the first stage’s lineup and BP phase, Kkoma was indeed overly assertive, selecting compositions that baffled all viewers. Particularly in the match against BFX, despite knowing BFX’s strength lay in the bottom lane, he repeatedly allowed them drafting freedom without countermeasures, leading to disjointed gameplay.

Not only T1 underwent changes; two other LCK teams also adjusted their names. BRO team renamed to HANGING BRO, though its abbreviated name remains unchanged. DRX team renamed to Kiwoom DRX, with its abbreviation changed to KRX. Both teams saw changes in sponsors, indicating that the current situation in the LCK region isn’t particularly favorable, especially for weaker teams lacking strong financial backing. Combined with the performance in this Global Pioneer Tournament, it seems LCK’s prestige has also been significantly impacted.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, Kkoma taking a break was unexpected. The claim of voluntary休息 (休息:休息) is likely just a facade; it probably involves some restrictions imposed by higher management. Put nicely, it’s due to health reasons and his own decision to leave. Put bluntly, it might resemble a semi-expulsion. After all, previously, Kkoma’s relentless targeting of “Little吕布” (小吕布) led to the latter无奈 (无奈:无奈) joining HLE during the transfer period.

What are your thoughts on this matter, esteemed viewers?