After a successful 2024 season in which T1 defended their Worlds championship and secured the inaugural Esports World Cup title, the team made a significant change for 2025: top laner Zeus moved to Hanwha Life Esports, leading T1 to sign Choi «Doran» Hyeon-joon as his replacement.
The lineup featuring Zeus, Oner, Faker, Gumayusi, and Keria–nicknamed ZOFGK–was among the most formidable teams T1 has ever put together, placing high expectations on Doran to preserve their chemistry. Known for his impressive plays and strong carry potential, Doran faced the challenge of filling Zeus’s role. Fortunately, T1’s players facilitated his transition, making him feel welcomed both in and out of the game.
«As a new player joining T1, the existing members approached me first, which happened quite frequently. That was really comforting and helped me adjust and settle into the team,» Doran shared in an interview.
As T1 worked to foster synergy with their new top laner, the LCK Cup served as their opening event for the year and a qualifier for the First Stand Tournament under the Fearless Draft format. The team performed well in the group stages but was eliminated in the playoffs by Hanwha Life Esports, who eventually clinched the FST 2025 title.
During the initial round of the LCK Split, T1 also experimented with a promising rookie, Shin «Smash» Geum-jae. They finished third overall, trailing Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports, with seven losses in total. In one match against KT Rolster, Doran experienced a moment to forget when he fell victim to the Krugs while playing Gwen, turning the incident into a viral meme. Naturally, fans were curious how he felt about the nickname that arose from this event.
«I understand that many international fans might not be familiar with me, so this exposure is something I’m grateful for,» Doran remarked. At MSI, the League broadcast team even presented him with a small Krug pet in a post-match ceremony.
Despite the humorous memes, T1’s CEO, Joe Marsh, made the decision to reinstate their star ADC, Gumayusi, replacing the rookie Smash. Fans were hopeful this change would revitalize the team, and indeed, it did.
The journey to MSI 2025 was centered on redemption, especially in overcoming their previous challenges against HLE. T1 rose to the occasion, securing their place in the tournament. While Gen.G dominated the LCK Spring Split with an unblemished 18-0 record, T1 found their footing on the international front. Propelled by their signature international buff, they maintained their spot in the winner’s bracket, only to face a narrow game five loss to Gen.G.
«I can only reflect on game five right now. We had an early lead, but a hasty decision ultimately reversed our advantage,» Doran commented, contemplating the team’s performance in the upper bracket final. «In the end, I was not entirely pleased with how I played.»
T1 and Gen.G had to delve deep into their champion selections during game four when Canyon utilized a surprising Zed jungle pick. Doran noted it was not unforeseen. «We were already aware of their surprise picks, so nothing truly caught us off guard. I don’t believe we were outmatched in the draft at any point during the series,» he explained.
Doran added that the Fearless mode doesn’t grant any team a real advantage, as all players compete under the same conditions. Nonetheless, he emphasized that having a versatile champion pool remains vital for maintaining competitiveness.
He acknowledged Gen.G’s capabilities, stating they «always have a well-structured strategy tailored to their playstyle and macro.» However, T1 struggled to break through the preparations of the yellow tigers. After defeating Anyone’s Legend, T1 secured a rematch with Gen.G, but the defending MSI champions once again emerged victorious. Gen.G not only claimed another MSI title but also became the third team to win consecutive MSI championships without dropping a single match.
Doran began his journey as a talented rookie at Griffin, where he shared top lane responsibilities and reached Worlds in his debut season. Since then, he has garnered three LCK titles with Gen.G and one with HLE, yet an international title remains elusive. Doran came a match away from making history with T1, but the wait continues.
T1 finished in third place at the Esports World Cup 2025, missing yet another chance for Doran to lift an international trophy. Attention now shifts to Worlds 2025 in Chengdu, where he aims to assist T1 in becoming the first team in League history to achieve three consecutive World Championship titles.
