Nongshim RedForce Announces Dambi's Departure
Nongshim RedForce has officially announced the departure of Lee "Dambi" Hyuk-kyu from their VALORANT roster. The 20-year-old player is leaving the team ahead of the 2027 season, marking the end of a significant era for the organization.
Dambi's departure follows a historic 2026 season for Nongshim RedForce. Despite their successes, the organization did not secure VCT partner status for the next two seasons. In an official statement, the club thanked the player for his performances and dedication, citing their journey from their first matches in the Pacific region to triumphs at Masters and appearances at VALORANT Champions.
The move also ends a long-standing partnership between Dambi, Park "Ivy" Sun-hyeon, and Kim "Francis" Mu-bin. The trio has competed together since 2023, moving from Shadow Corporation and Sin Prisa Gaming to Nongshim RedForce. They achieved Ascension twice: in 2024 under the Sin Prisa Gaming tag and in October 2025 representing Nongshim RedForce, which earned them a spot in VCT Pacific.
2026 was a breakthrough year for Nongshim RedForce. The team won the VCT Pacific Kickoff and triumphed at VALORANT Masters Santiago, remaining undefeated throughout both tournaments, including a 3:0 victory over Paper Rex in the final for a $350,000 prize pool. Dambi was a standout star in this roster, particularly noted for his aggressive playstyle on Neon. However, results dipped in the second half of the year, with a 3rd place finish at the Esports World Cup, 2nd at VCT Pacific Stage 2, and a 7th–8th place finish at VALORANT Champions 2026.
Despite lacking partner status for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, Nongshim RedForce intends to continue competing in the professional VALORANT scene. For Dambi, who remains one of the premier Neon players, the next step is unknown. His skill set may prove highly valuable in the future VALORANT meta, given the similarities between Neon's abilities and those of the new agent, Hush.
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