Image: Riot Games
After spending his entire career with T1, Zeus is now headed for different horizons.
T1, the most decorated esports organisation in League of Legends (LoL) esports history, has delivered shocking news to its fans and the entire League community on Tuesday evening (19 November).
Top laner Choi “Zeus” Woo-je is leaving the organisation, breaking the ‘ZOFGK’ roster – which consisted of Zeus, Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Lee “Gumayusi” Minhyeong, and Ryu "Keria" Min-seok – after four years and two LoL World Championship titles together. This comes two weeks after T1 won their fifth Worlds title after defeating Bilibili Gaming 3-2.
Zeus began his career with T1's Academy team in December 2019 and then eventually moved to T1’s main roster in 2020. After becoming a substitute top laner for half a season, Zeus eventually rejoined the main roster to form the ZOFGK roster, helping the team win the LoL Champions Korea (LCK) Spring 2022 title with an undefeated run. T1 continued to dominate domestically for the next three years, despite constantly taking second place in the LCK.
Although the team had its struggles in their second and third year, the ZOFGK roster were a force to be reckoned with at the international stage. They boasted three-straight Worlds finals showings and won back-to-back World Championships in 2023 and 2024.
Zeus, in particular, was also touted as one of the best top laners in the World. At Worlds 2023, he was named the MVP. And although that title went to none other than Faker in 2024, Zeus still had some of the most game-saving plays at Worlds 2024.
After winning their first LoL World Championship together, the roster became a popular group in South Korea due both their dominance and personalities. That scored T1 multiple sponsorships and collaborations with brands like HSBC, Samsung Odyssey, Red Bull, Laneige, and even luxury brands Ralph Lauren, and Mercedes Benz – which played a part in the team's prolonged reign.
This is also the first time Zeus will explore other options apart from T1. Since the roster won in 2023, Zeus had reportedly received generous offers from China's LoL Pro League (LPL). LoL coach Wang "HanYi" Han-Yu even claimed the former T1 top laner took a huge pay cut to stay with the roster in 2023.
It hasn’t been announced where Zeus is headed to next, but insider news and rumours included talks with some of the highest-paying and most successful organisations in the LCK, including Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G.
UPDATE as of 11/20/2024: It has been confirmed by Hanwha Life Esports that Zeus has joined the organisation as their new top laner. The announcement was made on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Doran joins T1 as new Top Laner
Shortly after the announcement of Zeus’ departure from T1, the organisation announced Zeus’ replacement will be Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon, who previously played for Hanwha Life Esports (HLE).
Doran helped HLE win the 2024 LCK Summer Championship and came in third in Spring 2024. HLE also announced his departure on Tuesday evening, and wished him “the best of luck in his next chapter.” Before HLE, Doran was also with Gen.G where they won three regional titles. Doran had moved to different teams almost yearly (except with Gen.G), with T1 being his eighth team.
