Viper re-joins Hanwha Life Esports for LCK 2023
Hanwha Life Esports has announced that superstar ADC Park “Viper” Do-hyeon will return to the team after leaving the organization on November 2020. Viper had joined EDward Gaming to play in the Legends Pro League in China.
During his two years away from Hanwha, the star player won the 2021 League of Legends World Championship and assisted EDG in defeating the 2019 world champions FPX 3-1.
On the other hand, Hanwha had a rough time these past two years. In the 2022 season, the team finished dead last in Spring and Summer tournaments. The organization also let go of most of its roster, leaving only top laners on the team. Signing a contract with Viper is its first step in improving its roster for the 2023 season.
“We are happy to announce that ‘Viper’ has joined HLE once again. We warmly welcome bot laner ‘Viper’, who has won the world championship and has excellent aggression,” Hanwha said.
“Please look forward to the new story of HLE that will unfold together with HLE’ Viper’ in the following season.”
Huhi re-joins Golden Guardians
Hanwha Life Esports is not the only team preparing for the upcoming season. Golden Guardians have revealed that it has re-signed Choi “huhi” Jae-hyun. Huhi joined the team in 2019 as a support player. He spent two years in the LCS and academy teams and left the organization in 2020.
Huhi played for 100 Thieves for two years before returning to Golden Guardians. The support player reunited with his old teammate Trevor “Stixxay” Hayes. The two players played as mid-laners and almost won the 2016 MSI while playing for Counter Logic Gaming.
“This season, we’re taking back what’s ours. The boys are back together and ready to dominate once more, as we welcome @huhi back to the Golden Guardians family as our LCS support!” Golden Guardians wrote on Twitter.
DRX’s top players become free agents
While Hanwha and Golden Guardians are building their roster, DRX is losing its top players.
DRX recently announced that the contracts of its star players had expired. These players are Hwang “Kingen” Sung-hoon, Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyun, Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo, Kim “Def”‘ Hyeok-gyu and Jo “BeryL” Geon-hee. The roster that won the League of Legends World Champions is now free for grabs. However, DRX is not ready to let go of its top roster.
“In order to continue the enjoyable challenge with these players, DRX will communicate with them to try to renew their contracts,” DRX said.
Some members of the DRX coaching staff have also become free agents and may join other teams. Those whose contracts expired are Kim “Ssong” Sang-su, Lee “Mowgli” Jae-ha and Shin “Shine” Dong-wook.
“DRX will remember their hard work which led the team to the top. DRX sincerely appreciates their contribution and wishes them all the best in their future,” DRX said.
Another coach who left the team is Koo “Expession” Bon-taek, the head coach of the DRX LCK CL team. However, unlike other coaches, he left after reaching a mutual agreement with the organization.
“His hard work to foster the best rookies will remain a pride of DRX. DRX sincerely appreciates his contribution and wishes him all the best in his future,” DRX wrote.
