“The region has fun, creative plays and unusual drafts, and that fits me,” Zinie about his transfer to Shopify Rebellion

Last November, Sheep Esports exclusively revealed on the Sheep Show that Yoo “Zinie” Baek-jin would be making the jump to North America. The young LCK CL prospect joins Shopify Rebellion in one of the offseason’s most surprising moves, shedding light on the reasoning behind his decision. Formerly part of KT Rolster’s developmental system, the 20-year-old midlaner sets off overseas with confidence—and no hesitation as he explained during an interview released on December 31st by Daily E-Sports.

Zinie began his career with KT Academy in 2022 before advancing to KT Challengers, where he built an impressive domestic record. In 2024 alone, he claimed titles in the LCK CL Spring, LCK CL Summer, and the Asia Star Challengers Invitational, later adding the LCK CL Kickoff championship early this year.

Despite this streak of success, Zinie felt ready for something new. “I thought the players here were better than people expect,” he explained. “That’s why I chose a North American team. The region has fun, creative plays and unusual drafts, and I like trying out new things. The style really fits me.”

Shopify Rebellion entered the LCS in 2024 after purchasing TSM’s league slot, backed by Shopify co-founders Tobias Lütke and Daniel Weinand. Led by general manager Dario “TLO” Wünsch, the organization has expanded beyond StarCraft II into a full-fledged esports brand — and Zinie represents one of its biggest investments in the League of Legends space yet.

Multiple teams from the LCK, LPL, and LCS showed interest, but Shopify’s vision convinced Zinie that this was the right move. A key factor was his early conversation with head coach Seong "Reven" Sang-hyeon, a veteran coach with stops in Brazil, Estral Esports, Cloud9, and TSM. “I like to challenge myself and keep improving,” Zinie explained. “Coach Reven and I shared the same mindset. We talked a lot about my goals and how I could grow here by playing my own style.”

Zinie leaves behind a strong legacy within KT Rolster’s academy. Still, he admits that 2025 felt like a step back in personal growth, despite another finals run in LCK CL. “I was disappointed in my play and results this year,” he said. “It wasn’t a season of big improvement for me. But next year, I want to focus on growth with a new mindset. Winning LCK CL was great, but it’s not the end. I don’t feel pressure — I just want to compete with top players and keep getting better.”

He also expressed gratitude toward KT fans who have supported him from his early days as a trainee. “KT has always been a special team for me,” Zinie said. “I’m thankful for everything. Now that I have this new opportunity, I’ll do my best wherever I go. Please keep supporting me.”

Shopify Rebellion showed steady progress throughout the 2025 season, though they struggled to break past the league’s top contenders when it mattered most. The team enters 2026 with just one roster change: Zinie replaces Cristian “Palafox” Palafox in the midlane. While Palafox faced a challenging year statistically, the move signals Shopify’s intent to refresh its midlane dynamics.

For the Korean newcomer, adapting to a new environment—and a new language—is part of the thrill. “I just want to play as soon as possible,” he said. “I’m learning English so I can communicate better with my teammates. Honestly, I’m not afraid. The faster I adapt, the sooner I can stand alongside the top players — and one day, surpass them.”

With his confidence and creative style, Zinie could be the spark Shopify Rebellion needs to rise in the standings. And for Zinie himself, North America isn’t a place of uncertainty — it’s a new stage to prove he belongs among the best.