Nongshim RedForce have announced the signings of toplaner Noh "Burdol" Tae-yoon and AD Carry Kim "Trigger" Eui-joo for their LCK Challengers roster, following the departures of Choi "Kangin" Gang-in, Ha "Vital" In-seong, and coach Kim "Dawn" Jin-young. These announces mark their return to Korea after competing in various leagues worldwide, as they join a team that has struggled in the first two LCK CL splits and undergone constant roster changes.

The 2025 season for Nongshim RedForce's academy team began with Kangin in the toplane, Lee "Sylvie" Seung-bok in the jungle, Syun "Calix" Hyun-bin in mid, Hyun "Lucy" Soo-hoon as ADC, and Vital as support. However, their LCK CL 2025 Kickoff did not go well, with the team playing a total of six BO3 matches—securing just one win and suffering five defeats.

Following this, Vital role-swapped to ADC, and Noh "Crack" Ji-seong joined as the new support, but the results failed to improve. The team also underwent a major shakeup when Calix was promoted to the main LCK roster as the starting midlaner, while Lee "Fisher" Jeong-tae moved in the opposite direction. Additionally, Vital temporarily replaced Jung "Jiwoo" Ji-woo for three BO3 matches in the LCK Round 1-2.

Return to their home country

The 21-year-old toplaner Burdol launched his professional career in 2020 with T1 Academy in LCK AS before moving to Gen.G in 2021. During his time with Gen.G, he participated in six LCK 2021 Summer games and three Worlds 2021 matches against Team Liquid, MAD Lions, and LNG Esports. In 2022, he joined Dplus KIA, helping them secure a podium finish in LCK Spring. The following year saw him at Liiv Sandbox playing alongside midlaner Lee "Clozer" Ju-hyeon, though with limited success. His journey took an international turn in 2024 when he left Korea to compete with China's LGD Gaming in the LPL before moving to Isurus Estral in LTA South league.

ADC Trigger began his career in 2019 with APK Prince, winning CK Summer and earning promotion to LCK. After a brief 2021 LPL stint with Victory Five, he returned to Korea with T1 Academy in LCK CL. In 2023, he became part of a growing trend of Korean players in European regional leagues (ERL) by joining BK ROG Esports, where he reached LFL Summer finals and EMEA Masters quarterfinals. After playing for INFINITY in 2024, he joined Geekay in 2025 to win the Arabian League Winter Split and make another EMEA Masters quarterfinal appearance, though he didn't participate in the Spring Split that followed.