Hanwha Life Esports now have two Worlds Finals MVPs on their roster, and once again, the newcomer arrives from T1. After attracting toplaner Choi "Zeus" Woo-je last year, HLE secures the services of AD Carry Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong, who thus leaves T1 after five years, during which he won Worlds three times, even being elected Finals MVP in the most recent one in 2025.​

The second roster change is in the jungle: Han "Peanut" Wang-ho joins mandatory military service, and his replacement is no small name—it's Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok, who will thus make his first steps in the LCK after a long part of his career in China. He is also joined by the head coach who led him at Top Esports; Yoon "Homme" Sung-young will be part of it alongside Lee "Mowgli" Jae-ha, who has re-signed with HLE.

It was the biggest bombshell of this offseason: Gumayusi's departure after years with the organization that saw him blossom and excel at the top of the world, replaced by Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan returning from a tough year in China.​ The signing is massive for HLE, who secure a world champion—they now have three in their roster with Zeus and Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo.​

Speaking of Zeka, he has been extended and will continue holding down HLE's midlane; in botlane, Yoo "Delight" Hwan-joong is also retained and will pair with Gumayusi—to be seen what it brings for Gumayusi playing with a support other than Ryu "Keria" Min-seok, and if he can build the same synergy.

Kanavi is officially joining the LCK after several years in China. Originally a jungler for Griffin, he did not play in any best-of series since Lee "Tarzan" Seung-yong was the main jungler at the time. Kanavi then joined JD Gaming, where he was part of the 2023 super roster that won both LPL splits and the MSI, narrowly missing the golden road with a loss to T1 at Worlds semifinals.

Kanavi later joined Top Esports, where 2025 turned out to be a mixed year. They won LPL Split 1 but delivered a disappointing First Stand, their level collapsed heading into Split 2. The team recovered in Summer, eventually reaching the Worlds semifinals before losing once again to T1. Every strong TES performance that year shared the same constant: Kanavi’s standout impact. His level of play firmly placed him among the world’s best junglers.

He will be playing in the LCK for the first time, succeeding Peanut, who made a strong final attempt to bring a Worlds trophy to his trophy cabinet but was eliminated in the quarterfinals against Gen.G. According to our sources, HLE had considered Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu, but he ultimately chose to stay with Gen.G, leading HLE to pick up Kanavi instead.

Meanwhile, Gumayusi will replace Park "Viper" Do-hyeon, who is returning to China with Bilibili Gaming, as announced by the organization on December 1. Once again, HLE is assembling a promising roster fully capable of competing for a Worlds trophy; it’s now up to them to prove it on stage.