After an encouraging recruitment drive during the previous offseason, Nongshim RedForce ultimately concluded a promising year on a rather disappointing note. Having qualified into the Legends Group in LCK after the first half of the season, the team then collapsed entirely, failing to secure a single win in the second phase before being eliminated in the Play-Ins.

After this frustrating ending, the organization intended to continue along the same trajectory by further strengthening its roster during the offseason. Three major signings have since been completed, alongside the appointment of a new coaching staff, all to push Nongshim RedForce higher up the standings next year.

A world champion joins the roster

After starting the season with Lee "Fisher" Jeong-tae, NS later transitioned to Seon "Calix" Hyeon-bin in the midlane. While the young midlaner showed encouraging signs in the early stages of the season, he struggled to keep pace with the level of competition in the Legends Group. Although the team continues to place its trust in him, Calix will move into a substitute role for the main roster, as Nongshim has opted to recruit Lee "Scout" Ye-chan.

The former World Champion with Edward Gaming in 2021 is coming off one of his least convincing seasons in the LPL with JD Gaming. He now returns to the LCK, where he originally began his career as a substitute to Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok at SK Telecom T1.

Two complementary reinforcements

Scout is not the only player making a return from the LPL, as Kim "Taeyoon" Tae-yoon is also heading back to South Korea. After spending a year with Team WE—where he delivered solid individual performances despite limited team success—Taeyoon rejoins the LCK one year after leaving Freecs. He will replace Jung "Jiwoo" Ji-woo, who also struggled against the league’s top teams.

Another change comes in the jungle, where Nongshim has decided to sign Bae "Sponge" Young-jun in place of Kim "GIDEON" Min-seong. A young player who has competed in the LCK with DRX over the past two seasons, Sponge has yet to fully showcase his potential. Often regarded as one of the few bright spots within DRX’s rosters, he will now have the opportunity to prove himself in a project that aspires to challenge for a Worlds qualification.

A new head coach

A member of the coaching staff since 2021 and head coach since the LCK 2024 Summer Split, Park "Chelly" Seung-jin will remain with the team next season but will step down from the head coach position. The role will instead be filled by Choi "DanDy" In-kyu. The Korean coach held the position for the past three seasons at Hanwha Life Esports and has only recently departed the organization. He now takes on a new challenge with Nongshim RedForce.

Meanwhile, Hwang "Kingen" Seong-hoon and Son "Lehends" Si-woo—both of whom joined last season—will logically remain with the team, having demonstrated this year and in the past that they possess the level required to compete among the best in their respective roles in the LCK.

Nongshim RedForce's roster for 2026:

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub and Offseason Live Tracker.