Gen.G announces massive departures, roster changes seem inevitable for 2026

Gen.G has announced the departure of the majority of its roster and coaching staff, whose contracts were set to expire this off season. Unlike in 2024, their wholesale re-signing does not seem imminent, and a new-look lineup seems inevitable for 2026.

Gen.G departures announced

In a post on X, Gen.G yesterday confirmed the departures of players Kim “Karon” Won-tae, Kim “Lakia” Jong-min, Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom, and Kim “t3xture” Na-ra, as well as coaches Kang “solo” Keun-chul, Kim “HSK” Hae-seong, and Jung “peri” Beom-gi. Currently, only Jung “Foxy9” Jae-sung and Ha “Ash” Hyun-cheol remain under contract with the organisation.

In the post, the team says that it is still in ‘positive discussions’ with the individuals, leaving the door open to some of them re-signing.

This was also the case in 2024, when Lakia, Munchkin, HSK, and Kim “Meteor” Tae-oh were confirmed to have officially left the organisation, only for all but Meteor to eventually rejoin the Korean team.

Change impending?

The announcement of these departures would, for most orgs, signal that they’re not to return, though Gen.G’s 2024 off season, and current talk of ‘positive discussions’, could easily lead some to believe that a roster overhaul isn’t necessarily guaranteed.

Of all of those out of contract, t3xture is surely a player that the organisation will be desperate to keep, having proven himself as one of the world’s top duelists this year.

Munchkin, Karon, and Lakia, along with the coaching staff, were also a part of Gen.G’s success in 2024 that saw them win Pacific Kickoff and Stage 2, as well as Masters Shanghai.

But Gen.G’s 2025 results are surely to trigger changes. Top three finishes in all regional events showed that they remained a top side, and their form at points during Masters Toronto bred hope that they might challenge globally once again; however, that global prowess never materialised.

While their raw talent was unquestioned, doubts persisted around the team’s mental leadership as the side seemed unable to find the grit needed to get through difficult series. At Toronto — where they looked best — this was shown best in their elimination-confirming series against G2, losing the deciding map despite having been 11-4 up.

The obvious direction would, therefore, be a change in IGL. Though there were expectations that Munchkin would step back from pro play to complete military service next year, those expectations seem to have been pushed back for now after he expressed his aim to “delay it as much as possible” in order to continue competing.

The end of my journey with Gen.G.

2024–2025 with Gen.G has been such a meaningful and happy time.
I’ve made the best memories and achieved the best moments of my career here.
Every year as a player taught me something new, but Gen.G gave me true turning points in life.

To all… https://t.co/s5u01IuNUc

— Munchkin (@MUNCHKING_) October 21, 2025

Munchkin’s farewell post also heavily implies his leaving Gen.G, thanking his “meaningful and happy time” with the team across his two-year stint, adding that it’s “time for a new adventure”.

Meanwhile, Lakia had only rejoined the side ahead of Stage 2 after his 2024 departure. He re-signed after an injury-induced break, but failed to make a single appearance before Gen.G’s early Stage 2 elimination saw their season come to an early end.