LoL: Doran will play for T1

The offseason's biggest shockwave hit this Tuesday: Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon has been announced as T1's new toplaner for 2025. The news broke on T1's social media shortly after confirming the official departure of Choi "Zeus" Woo-je, marking the end of three years of international dominance by the legendary ZOFGK lineup.

This news is likely overshadowed by the thunderclap caused by the end of T1’s legendary lineup, especially since Zeus’s re-signing was widely anticipated after all his teammates were successively announced to be staying with T1 next year. However, Doran is an undeniably well-rounded player. He is the current LCK champion with Hanwha Life Esports, having claimed the Summer 2024 title, and was part of the team that handed Gen.G their first major upset of the year.

Being the only change in a roster that just secured back-to-back World Championships, with three consecutive Worlds finals appearances, will undoubtedly be a massive challenge for the toplaner. Doran will need to carve out his place in a lineup brimming with synergy and established chemistry, and also win over the fans—a huge challenge after a lackluster showing at Worlds 2024, especially a disastrous quarterfinal performance against Bilibili Gaming. Nonetheless, as a seasoned veteran of the league, Doran brings years of top-level experience that will be crucial in meeting these expectations.

His arrival has a clear purpose: to help T1 finally reclaim success in the LCK. The team has not won a regional title since Spring 2022—a streak that Doran himself has benefited from, having won Summer 2022, both splits in 2023, and Summer 2024.