"I’m grateful that this group chose to stay together and get one more shot at Worlds,” Gen.G's director about his roster

"I’m grateful that this group chose to stay together and get one more shot at Worlds,” Gen.G's director about his roster | Sheep Esports

"we still have one of the best rosters in the world, capable of challenging for the Worlds title"

In an interview done with South Korean media Dailian published on December 22, Gen.G's Director Lee "FIFAHUN" Ji-hoon has opened up about the team’s 2025 season, their offseason moves and long-term vision, describing the past year as “not a failure, but a grateful one” and reaffirming that winning the 2026 League of Legends World Championship is the clear target.

Being at the helm of the organization since its inception in 2018, he also reflected on a season that saw Gen.G dominate domestically and internationally with an LCK title and MSI championship, only to fall short of the ultimate prize at Worlds. Despite that, he emphasized how proud he is of the roster and staff for their near-flawless performance over nine months. “I don’t want to call it a failure,” he said. “As a GM, I can’t imagine a happier year. We didn’t win Worlds, but I’m deeply grateful that this core group chose to stay together and get one more shot at the title.”

“My job is like being a dad”

Lee described his role in simple terms: “Being a GM is like being a dad.” He explained, “My job is to bring in resources from outside, make sure the players are well taken care of, and create an environment where they can perform at their absolute best. I’m the bridge between the company and the players, communicating closely with everyone and thinking about how to make this year’s ‘farming season’ a success.”

Gen.G has long been known among fans as the “king of the offseason,” consistently building tight, well‑structured rosters every year. At the heart of that reputation is Lee, whose negotiation skills and clear vision have earned him the nickname “Stove League’s Lee Ji‑hoon.”

“Every year the competition gets fiercer, and top players can go anywhere,” he said. “Until the contract is signed, I have to go all‑in. Once all the deals are done, I’m usually completely drained, but also relieved.”

Canyon re-signature

One of the biggest stories of Gen.G’s offseason was the re-signing of jungler Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu, who won LCK, MSI, and the EWC in 2025 but has now reached the Worlds semifinals two years in a row without a title.

Also Read: Gen.G's completed 2026 LCK Roster

FIFAHUN revealed that Canyon was exploring options as a free agent, but Gen.G’s pitch was straightforward: “The rest of the roster is staying. If you come back, we can challenge for the title again with the same members. Let’s give it one last shot together.” That honest message, Lee believes, was what ultimately convinced Canyon to stay.

A word about Duro's first year

This year, Gen.G made a bet by bringing in support Joo "Duro" Min-kyu as the “young blood” of the roster. Lee highlighted Duro’s standout physicality and aggression in scouting, but stressed that fit was more important than raw stats.

“We consulted directly with Kiin (Kim Gi-in), Canyon, Chovy (Jeong Ji-hoon), and Ruler (Park Jae-hyuk) before making the move,” Lee explained. “Ruler, in particular, saw a lot of growth potential in Duro and expressed a strong desire to play with him. That gave us the final confidence to bring him in.”

For Lee, two things are non-negotiable when building a roster: character and attitude. “In a team game, anyone with character issues is ruled out from the start,” he said. “We check practice habits, attitude, and personal life carefully. Only players who fit our direction make it onto the roster.”

Same ambitions, new head coach

The three-year deal with new head coach Ryu "Ryu" Sang-wook is a long-term bet on the upcoming fearless draft-pick meta. Lee described Ryu as a coach with strong convictions and a deep understanding of the game, making him the ideal fit for the new system.

When asked who is the best strategist for fearless draft-pick, Lee answers: “Ryu is that person. We also made sure the players were on board before finalizing his appointment.” Looking ahead, Lee confirmed that Gen.G is making internal changes specifically aimed at winning next year’s Worlds. “We’re collecting a wide range of data tailored to the fearless draft-pick system, so our coaching staff can make more practical, in-depth decisions,” he said.

The org is also working with a dedicated performance coach focused on sleep, nutrition, and mental training. “In past international tournaments, our players often got exhausted and struggled,” Lee admitted. “From jet lag to pre- and post-game meals, stretching, and mental care, we’ll support anything that can give them even a 0.1% edge.”

Header Photo Credit: LG

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