Diable: A wasted year that had started off so well

’s season came to an end this week following a defeat to , ruling the team out of contention for a place in the LCK playoffs. While AD Carry was able to celebrate the victory over his former team as he saw fit, his counterpart in this intertwined story, , must have experienced a considerably more bitter feeling following the end of the season.

The young Korean prodigy’s season, which had started in the best possible fashion, was subsequently marked by a series of setbacks and has ultimately come to a premature end. This disappointing conclusion comes despite individual performances that have, at times, offered reminders of the considerable talent he possesses, although they have not been enough to carry his team to victory.

Already singled out last year for his impressive mechanical prowess for a player of his age, Diable confirmed at the beginning of the year, at just 18, that he could already rank among the LCK’s finest players. After a remarkable start to the season, BFX and Diable qualified for their first major international event at the First Stand.

Following that first international experience, however, the level of competition intensified, and victories became increasingly scarce. As Diable’s behavior came under scrutiny internally, his absence from a fan meet proved to be the final straw, leading to his benching before he was traded to Nongshim RedForce at the end of Round 1 in exchange for Taeyoon.

As this new chapter began, many observers were enthusiastic about NS’s new roster, which appeared to have addressed a weakness created by Taeyoon’s departure. Unfortunately, the team’s collective performances failed to match its individual talent. Despite boasting several experienced veterans at the highest level, NS were unable to qualify for the Legends Group. Although they posted respectable results in Rounds 3-4, the team was ultimately eliminated in their very first play-in match against BFX.

The irony of fate is particularly cruel for Diable, whose career still has plenty of time to unfold. Nevertheless, this undoubtedly represents a first major setback and a season to forget for the young player, who will also have little room for similar mistakes in the future if he hopes to establish himself among the best players in the world.