Zeus officially joins Hanwha Life Esports for LCK 2025

No more than a day after T1 announced the shocking departure of Choi “Zeus” Woo-je, the South Korean star and two-time World Champion has officially joined Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) as the team's new starting top laner for the upcoming 2025 LCK Season.

With the addition of the former T1 star and Worlds 2023 MVP, HLE have put up a roster set to aim past the LCK and towards international glory in the coming year.

Hanwha Life land a rock star

Coming into the 2024-2025 off-season, all eyes were on reigning World Champions of T1 and whether they would be able to hold on to the complete ZOFGK (Zeus-Oner-Faker-Gumayusi-Keria) roster that won Worlds back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. After securing four of the five players that make up that legendary roster, however, Hanwha Life and, shockingly, Zeus' own agency, stood in the way of T1.

Having announced the signing of Zeus, HLE have secured themselves a bona fide star in the top lane. The God of Thunder isn't just your average top laner, after all. Since officially securing the starting position on T1 back towards the end of 2021, Zeus has won two World Championships and made 3 Worlds finals in just three years.

With a champion ocean at his disposal, ice in his veins, and an unmatched drive to win, Zeus' arrival at Hanwha Life Esports will leave the boys in orange feeling pretty good about their off-season.

Hanwha Life Esports' expected roster for LCK 2025:

• Top: Choi "Zeus" Woo-je
• Jgl: Han "Peanut" Wang-ho
• Mid: Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo
• ADC: Park "Viper" Do-hyeon
• Supp: Yoo "Delight" Hwang-joong

Meanwhile, HLE's former top laner Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon is the man set to take Zeus' place in T1 for the upcoming season.

A new chapter in the Zeus story

During his entire professional career in League of Legends, Zeus has known no headquarters, worn no uniform, and felt no warmth other than that of T1. Since joining the T1 Academy back in 2019 to start his esports journey, the T1 family has been Zeus' home over the last five years of his life. And, even though leaving home can be heartbreaking, it can also prove an exciting venture.

Earlier today, Zeus took to his Instagram account to leave a message to his fans and the T1 family following the tumultuous end to the player's off-season.

"Yesterday, FA was announced earlier than expected, so I couldn't properly greet you, which was different from my intention, so I feel so sorry about it. I entered as a trainee in 2019 and was so happy to be able to play with such great hyungs (older brothers) until this year. I'm grateful to (ONER) Hyeonjun hyung, who has been through everything with me since I was a trainee, (FAKER) Sanghyeok hyung, who I always learned a lot from, (GUMAYUSI) Minhyung hyung, who always gave me positive energy, (KERIA) Minseok hyung, who helped me play comfortably, and the team that believed in me and gave me a chance."

While Zeus' exit may mean the ZOFGK dream has come to an end for T1, there should be no hard feelings moving forward toward a player that gave so much to the organization, not just in World Championships, but in time, effort and dedication.

"It was an honor to receive so much love as a member of T1, and I'm so sorry that I'm leaving so suddenly, even though they gave me so much love. I still can't believe it, but I'm sorry that the fans must have been very surprised."

After giving the team his all, Zeus is leaving T1. (Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

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Image source:  Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

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