Dplus KIA sign former T1 bot laner

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 24/11/2025

Dplus KIA have announced the signing of former T1 bot laner, Shin ‘Smash’ Geum-jae for the 2026 season.

Smash played for T1 while Lee ‘Gumayusi’ Min-hyeong was benched, also taking part in the temporary six-man roster early in the year.

Smash departs T1 for Dplus KIA

The ADC played the LCK Cup and LCK 2025 Rounds 1-2 for T1 prior to the intervention of CEO Joe Marsh, which saw Gumayusi unilaterally restored to the roster.

Since then, Smash returned to T1’s academy roster.

Despite having the coaching staff’s faith when replacing Gumayusi, the ADC was seemingly overlooked by T1 for their vacant bot lane role after the departure of the three-time Worlds winner and Worlds 2025 Finals MVP.

Instead, T1 signed former Gen.G and FPX ADC, Kim ‘Peyz’ Su-hwan.

Peyz, an MSI and LCK former champion, is the youngest bot laner to win the LCK, at 17 years old at the time of the 2023 victory.

So, Smash will not replace Gumayusi, but replaces Kim ‘Aiming’ Ha-ram, who was recently announced for KT Rolster.

Aiming was one of a plethora of LCK free agents following the lapse of the November 17 contract deadline.

Dplus KIA had a middling 2025 season and has subsequently decided to upend both the Support and Bot positions, with Cho ‘BeryL’ Geon-hee also departing.

Smash will play in bot alongside Oh ‘Career’ Hyeong-seok, an academy graduate from BNX FEARZ Youth.

Dplus statement upon signing Smash

“Introducing our new BOT laner ‘Smash’ (Shin Geum-jae) for the 2026 Dplus KIA LCK team.

With his steadily built skills and rapid growth, he is ready to unleash his full potential.

We ask for your anticipation and support.

Please give a big round of applause to welcome ‘Smash’ so that his journey of racing forward with Dplus KIA can shine even brighter.”

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.

All Posts By Darragh Harbinson