Dambi Leaves Nongshim RedForce, Gen.G Move Reported for 2027

Nongshim RedForce confirmed on November 3, 2026 that Lee 'Dambi' Hyuk-kyu has left the organisation. The club released a 15 minute farewell video titled 'Thank you, Dambi' on its VALORANT YouTube channel. Sheep Esports reported the same day, citing its sources, that Gen.G Esports has secured Dambi's signing for the 2027 VCT Pacific season. That move is reported only. Neither organisation has officially announced it, and it must not be read as a confirmed transfer.

Dambi, 20, is a Duelist and Neon specialist. He was named MVP of Masters Santiago 2026, where Nongshim RedForce beat Paper Rex 3-0 in the grand final on March 15, 2026.

A title run from the Ascension pathway

Nongshim won the VCT Pacific Kickoff in February 2026 to qualify for Masters Santiago as the region's first seed. The team went through the event unbeaten and became the first team from the Ascension pathway to win an international VCT event, according to TalkEsport.

In the description of its farewell video, the club said of Dambi that "he always put the team first", as reported by TalkEsport. That line sums up how the club presented the departure: a thank you to a player who led its title run, not a dispute.

Why the departure happened now

On October 20, 2026, Dambi announced that Nongshim had given him permission to explore offers for the 2027 season while discussions with the organisation continued. Per Riot's VCT global contract database, the Nongshim player contracts were set to expire at the end of the 2026 season on November 2.

The wider context is the partnership cycle. Nongshim RedForce was not selected for the 2027-2028 VCT partnership cycle, while Gen.G retained its place among the eight partnered Pacific organisations. A player of Dambi's level, out of contract the day before the announcement, was always likely to draw interest from a partnered team.

What is reported about Gen.G

Sheep Esports reported on November 3, 2026, published at 10:38 UTC and citing its sources, that Gen.G has secured Dambi's signing for 2027. Strafe, summarising that report, said Dambi would join a Gen.G lineup featuring Kim 't3xture' Na-ra, who remains under contract through 2027, and Kim 'Karon' Won-tae, whose contract extension was separately reported on November 3.

Gen.G has confirmed other changes. The club has confirmed the departures of Ha 'Ash' Hyun-cheol, Kim 'Efina' Nak-yeon and coach Jung 'peri' Beom-gi after the 2026 campaign, according to Strafe. Those confirmed departures leave room in the roster, which is part of why the reported Dambi move has drawn attention.

For now the confirmed facts are narrow and clear. Dambi has left Nongshim RedForce, confirmed by the club itself with a farewell video. His next team has not been officially announced by either club. If Gen.G or Nongshim confirms the reported move, this article will be updated in place.