In a dramatic turn of events, Korean behemoth Gen.G dropped four of its five integral players with their contracts expiring, bringing an end to one of the most successful rosters in the history of VCT Pacific.
Gen.G released Kim “t3xture” Na-ra, Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom, Kim “Karon” Won-tae, and Kim “Lakia” Jong-min, as well as coaching staff such as head coach Kang “solo” Keun-chul, Kim “HSK” Hae-seong, and Jung “peri” Bum-ki. Jung “Foxy9” Jae-sung and Ha “Ash” Hyun-cheol are the only two under contract with the organization.
The organization has said that although such players and staff are no longer signed to Gen.G, talks are still in progress regarding future possibilities. Munchkin, though, officially confirmed his departure, tweeting an emotional goodbye message stating “The end of my journey with Gen.G” and declaring his status as looking for a team.
This lineup breakup is the end of an exceptional chapter in the history of VALORANT. The mainstay lineup had amazing success in 2024, such as Gen.G’s historic win at VALORANT Masters Shanghai – becoming the first Pacific team to claim an international championship. They also won at VCT Pacific Kickoff and Stage 2 tournaments.
T3xture, who joined Gen.G in September 2023, served as the team’s star duelist and was instrumental in their rise to international prominence. His departure, along with that of Solo, signals what sources describe as a “substantive reset” for Gen.G’s 2026 project.
One of the major drivers of these roster adjustments seems to be the mandatory military service in South Korea. Munchkin, who is 27 years of age, is now facing almost-necessary military service duty as he nears the age limit for deferment. In a recent interview, when Munchkin was asked when he might perform his military service, he said he could push it “a little further” but accepted the factuality.
The roster transactions follow a disappointing 2025 season that saw Gen.G miss qualification for VALORANT Champions Paris. Although they reached the Masters Toronto, where they placed 5th-6th, and won 3rd position at the Esports World Cup, the team’s early exit from the VCT Pacific Stage 2 playoffs in 7th-8th place by Rex Regum Qeon was a crushing blow.
Gen.G’s first-round playoff loss made their Champions qualification solely contingent on other teams, a nervous situation for a team that had entered the season with championship aspirations.
The outgoing players are a combined total of experience and skill that saw Gen.G rise as a global VALORANT giant. Their future destinations will be eagerly anticipated as the VCT Pacific region looks to what will be a drastically different competitive scene in 2026.