In a recently released documentary by the LCK on December 15, viewers are granted an intimate glimpse into the journeys of the four South Korean teams that competed in Worlds 2025. Among the featured teams is T1, where head coach Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong shared his reflections on the season, particularly focusing on the standout performance of this year’s MVP, Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong.
Mata praised Gumayusi for enduring a demanding season, expressing, “For Gumayusi this entire season, I feel like we asked so much of him. He probably had it tougher than anyone, but he pushed through all of that and won it all. It almost feels like a Worlds title times 1.5.” Gumayusi’s remarkable journey culminated in lifting the trophy with T1 before making a significant offseason move to Hanwha Life Esports (HLE).
The AD Carry faced considerable challenges throughout the year, notably being benched for the LCK Cup in favor of Shin “Smash” Geum-jae due to coaching decisions. However, following an intervention from Joe Marsh, the CEO of T1, he was reinstated, leading to a resounding comeback and ultimately a Worlds victory.
The offseason brought notable changes not just for Gumayusi but also for Choi “Zeus” Woo-je. After winning the title with T1 in 2024, Zeus departed to join HLE. This year, however, he and HLE faced disappointment upon being eliminated in the quarterfinals by Gen.G. Watching T1 and fellow former teammate Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon thrive during the Worlds was a bittersweet experience for Zeus, who remarked, “Now that T1 has completed the three-peat and I have two titles with them as well, seeing my old teammates achieve what I couldn’t achieve myself, I was genuinely happy for them. But at the same time, I had this bittersweet feeling too, so it’s definitely a mix of emotions.”
This documentary not only highlights the triumphs of individual players but also underscores the tightly knit community of South Korean esports, where players support one another while navigating the competitive landscape. The successes and struggles shared by these athletes serve as a testament to their resilience and dedication, promising an exciting future for both the players and their teams.