Impact

From Support to World Champion

Impact began his professional career in 2012 as a support player for Xenics Storm, where the team placed third in the spring season. His trajectory changed dramatically the following year when he joined the newly formed SK Telecom T1 K roster alongside future stars Bengi, Faker, Piglet, and PoohManDu. Initially a support, he transitioned to the top lane for this team.

The team quickly found success, winning the HOT6iX Champions Summer 2013 tournament. They then qualified for the 2013 World Championship as Korea's third seed. There, SKT T1 K dominated the competition, losing only three matches in the entire event and sweeping China's Royal Club 3-0 in the final to claim the Summoner's Cup. This victory made Impact a world champion in his first year on the international stage.

The success continued into 2014 as the team, now under the name SK Telecom T1 K, won the Champions Winter season and the All-Star Paris Invitational. However, the team struggled later in the year, failing to place in the top four of the LCK splits and missing the 2014 World Championship. At the season's end, SKT parted ways with Impact, marking the end of his championship chapter in Korea.

Pioneering the Korean Imports in North America

In 2015, Impact made a major move to North America, joining Team Impulse in the LCS. He famously mastered conversational English in a short timeframe using language software, easing his transition. On the rift, he immediately stood out, being voted to the First All-Pro Team in the summer split, the first season such awards were given. Despite regular season success, the team fell in the playoff semifinals both splits and lost in the regional gauntlet, missing the World Championship.

He moved to NRG Esports for the 2016 spring split, but the team had a mediocre run. Midway through 2016, Cloud9 acquired Impact. His arrival sparked an immediate turnaround. Cloud9 finished third in the summer regular season and surged to the finals. Although they lost to Team SoloMid, they qualified for the 2016 World Championship through the regional gauntlet.

At that World Championship, Cloud9 advanced from Group B. Notably, the only loss suffered in groups by the eventual tournament winners, SK Telecom T1, was to Cloud9, giving Impact a symbolic victory over his former team. Cloud9's run ended in the quarterfinals against Samsung Galaxy.

Building a Dynasty with Team Liquid

After the 2017 season, Impact joined Team Liquid, reportedly turning down an offer to return to SKT. This move began the most dominant domestic phase of his career. In the 2018 spring split, Team Liquid won the LCS title, giving Impact his first North American championship. They repeated as champions in the summer, sweeping his former team Cloud9 in the final.

The dynasty continued unabated through 2019. Team Liquid won both the spring and summer splits, giving Impact four consecutive LCS titles. The 2019 Mid-Season Invitational became a career highlight. As heavy underdogs, Team Liquid stunned the reigning world champions Invictus Gaming 3-1 in the semifinals, becoming the first North American team to reach the final of a major international event. They finished as runners-up to G2 Esports.

After a rare playoff miss in spring 2020, Impact and Team Liquid returned to form in summer, securing first place in the regular season. However, they fell in the playoff bracket finals, placing third and qualifying for Worlds as North America's third seed. This marked the end of Impact's initial three-year tenure with the organization.

Continued Success and Veteran Leadership

Impact joined Evil Geniuses for the 2021 season. In spring 2022, he led the team to an LCS championship, breaking his own record for the fastest LCS finals victory by defeating 100 Thieves in just one hour and eighteen minutes. He left Evil Geniuses in November 2022.

For the 2023 season, Impact signed with FlyQuest, a team built with high-profile Korean imports. The squad performed well in the spring regular season but stumbled in playoffs. The summer split was a major disappointment, with FlyQuest finishing in ninth place. Impact departed the team that November.

In a celebrated return, Impact rejoined Team Liquid for the 2024 season. Slotted into a roster mixing North American prospects with veteran talent, he helped lead the team to win the 2024 LCS Spring Split and qualify for the Mid-Season Invitational. A year later, he won the inaugural League of Legends Championship of The Americas Split with Team Liquid and qualified for the 2025 First Stand Tournament. After the 2025 season concluded, he departed the team once more.

A Lasting Legacy and New Chapter

In 2026, Impact began a new chapter with Sentinels as their starting top laner. His career, spanning from 2012 to the present, illustrates extraordinary adaptability and longevity. He is one of the few players to have won a world championship and also become a multi-time champion in a major regional league.

Impact's journey from a world champion support in Korea to the most decorated top laner in LCS history is its own. He pioneered the path for Korean players in North America, not just through skill but through his dedicated integration. His collection of seven LCS titles across three different teams remains a high standard for success in the region.

As he continues to compete, Impact represents a bridge between eras in professional League of Legends. His deep experience, championship pedigree, and consistent performance make him a foundational pillar for any team he joins, as he now aims to write the next part of his story with Sentinels.