announced on Thursday, May 21, that their star AD carry Park “
” Do-hyeon would temporarily leave due to a hand injury that now requires further medical attention in South Korea. After undergoing a comprehensive medical evaluation, Viper has been advised to return home for additional examination and treatment, with the decision made in consideration of both his long-term health and future competitive schedule.
“
Due to the worsening of Viper’s hand injury… it has been decided… that he will return to South Korea prior to the knockout stage for further examination and treatment,” the club said in an official statement on
Weibo.
The announcement also puts to rest speculation that had begun to circulate in recent days, suggesting that Viper’s return to Korea was linked to dissatisfaction over roster decisions for the upcoming Asian Games. Those rumours were first dismissed when Han "
" Wang-ho, speaking on stream, indicated that the travel was specifically related to Viper’s fingers injury.
A little uncertainty ahead of playoffs
For Bilibili Gaming, the timing could hardly be more delicate.
Viper’s return to China at the start of the year was one of the most high-profile moves of the offseason, and his impact has been immediate. With him at the center of the lineup, BLG have again reinforced their position as the dominant force in the LPL.
They currently sit comfortably at the top of the Spring Split standings and already boast an impressive list of achievements this season, including a Split 1 title and
victory at First Stand 2026. In a team built on consistency and star power, Viper has been both a focal point and a guarantee of reliability in high-pressure moments.
That stability is now under threat. BLG are set to begin their playoff run on May 30 against
, but the organization has yet to confirm whether Viper will be available in time for the knockout stage at his full potential. This run carries added importance for BLG, who were eliminated from the
Esports World Cup qualifier by
and can now only secure a place at the tournament by winning Split 2 and booking their spot in Paris.
In his absence, the team may be forced to adjust both stylistically and structurally, a difficult task given how central the Korean AD carry has been to their identity. Even without him, BLG still relies on a core of four players with strong synergy and proven individual quality. But in a title race of this level, the absence of a player like Viper is impossible to ignore. More clarity should emerge in the coming days.
The hidden strain of competition
This is far from the first time injury has disrupted top-level esports competition. Beyond isolated incidents such as Óscar "
" Muñoz’s extended absence in 2023 following an off-stage accident, the scene has increasingly been confronted with the physical toll of long-term strain.
Lee “
” Sang-hyeok notably dealt with persistent wrist issues during the 2023 LCK Summer Split, while more recently, Yu "
" Wen-Bo
stepped away in early 2026 after speaking openly about chronic ear problems.
