Why KT Benched Aiming from the 1 Team: Official Explanation and Fenrir's Starting Status
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.
This article is based on the latest available reports and official materials verified as of 2026-07-30 Korea Standard Time.
KT Rolster's official reason for removing Kim Ha-ram (Aiming) from the starting lineup was internal conflict among players during practice and the resulting deterioration in team synergy. Head coach Go Dong-bin explained that trust among the players had been severely damaged following the conflict, making normal training difficult.
Park Kang-jun (Fenrir), who replaced him, is highly likely to remain the regular starter for KT's remaining 3-round matches. However, KT has not disclosed who was involved in the conflict, what specifically happened, or whether Aiming faces disciplinary action, release from the team, or contract termination.
A Quick Overview of Why Aiming Was Benched
| Question | Currently Confirmed Answer |
|---|---|
| Official reason for Aiming's removal | Internal conflict during practice and declining team synergy |
| Additional explanation from the coach | Trust among players had broken down, making normal training difficult |
| Other party involved in the conflict | Not disclosed |
| Disciplinary action | No official disciplinary action announced |
| Release or contract termination | No announcement made |
| Replacement ADC | Park Kang-jun (Fenrir) |
| Fenrir's future appearances | Highly likely to remain the regular starter for the rest of the period |
| First match result | KT defeated T1 2–0 |
Based on currently available information, 'replacement of the starting ADC' or 'removal from the starting lineup' is more accurate than saying 'Aiming was released from the 1 team.'
KT has not officially announced that Aiming's 1-team registration has been canceled or that his contract has been terminated.
What Official Reason Did KT Give for Removing Aiming?
Ahead of its 3-round match against T1 in the 2026 LCK regular season on July 29, KT Rolster announced that it would call up Park Kang-jun (Fenrir).
KT cited two main reasons.
First, internal conflict had occurred among players during practice.
Second, the organization determined that the conflict had negatively affected team synergy, making a change at the ADC position necessary.
After the match, head coach Go Dong-bin provided a more detailed explanation. He said that although the team had attempted to resolve the situation after the conflict arose, trust among the players had deteriorated significantly. As a result, he concluded that normal training would be difficult and decided to change the roster.
Go also expressed regret that he had not resolved the conflict more quickly as head coach.
In short, the direct reason for the change was not simply declining performance or a player's physical condition. It was an internal relationship problem serious enough to interfere with training and teamwork.
Does This Mean Aiming Was Removed from the '1 Team' or Disciplined?
What KT has officially confirmed is that Fenrir would play ADC in place of Aiming.
No official disciplinary measures against Aiming, including fines, match suspensions, or eligibility suspensions, have been announced. There has also been no confirmed news of contract termination or release from the team.
When asked whether Aiming was still living and spending time with the other players at the team's training facility, head coach Go Dong-bin said it was difficult to provide a specific answer.
Therefore, the following statements accurately reflect what can currently be confirmed.
Aiming has been removed from KT's starting ADC position.
Fenrir was called up to the 1 team and appeared in the starting lineup.
The change resulted from internal conflict among players and problems involving mutual trust.
Whether any official disciplinary action or release has occurred has not been disclosed.
Claims that 'Aiming was kicked out after fighting with a particular player' or that 'his contract has ended' are not verified facts.
Have the Other Players Involved and the Specific Incident Been Disclosed?
Neither KT nor head coach Go Dong-bin has identified the players involved in the conflict or disclosed the specific circumstances.
The officially confirmed information goes only as far as establishing that internal conflict occurred among players and that trust within the team was damaged.
It has not been disclosed whether the conflict involved one particular player or disagreements among several players. Speculation has also emerged about possible connections to KeSPA Cup performances, draft picks and bans, or practice attitudes, but none of these claims has been confirmed by the organization or its head coach.
It is advisable not to treat the names of specific players or alleged causes circulating in fan communities as established facts until an official announcement is made.
Why Was Fenrir Chosen?
Park Kang-jun (Fenrir) is an ADC born in 2006 who has played for KT's Challengers team.
This was not Fenrir's first LCK appearance. On 2026-05-20, he was also called up on short notice because Aiming was in poor physical condition, making his 1-team debut against Nongshim RedForce.
However, the reasons for the substitutions on May and July were different.
| Category | May Match Against Nongshim | July Match Against T1 |
|---|---|---|
| Reason Aiming was unavailable | Poor physical condition, including cold and flu-like symptoms | Internal player conflict and team synergy problems |
| Nature of Fenrir's selection | Temporary emergency call-up | Replacement likely to remain the starter for the rest of the period |
| Match result | KT won 2–1 | KT won 2–0 |
Fenrir's latest call-up was decided so urgently that he had not even been able to participate in scrims with the team.
Nevertheless, KT defeated T1 2–0 on July 29. Rather than being a match defined by spectacular individual carry performances from Fenrir, it was one in which teamfighting and coordinated play centered on Bdd, Perfect, Cuzz, and Effort functioned reliably.
Will Fenrir Continue Starting in the Remaining Matches?
For now, Fenrir is highly likely to continue appearing in the starting lineup.
Head coach Go Dong-bin said that because the 3 round had already begun and little time remained in the season, he expected to keep Fenrir in the starting lineup under most circumstances.
However, because he used wording equivalent to 'under most circumstances,' this does not mean Fenrir has been confirmed to start every match through the end of the season.
The starting lineup could change depending on player condition, team practice results, and roster management. Even so, considering the coach's comments alongside the result against T1, the most likely scenario is that KT will build its bottom-lane partnership around Fenrir for the time being.
Ghost Returned to ADC, So Why Didn't He Play?
On July 28, one day before announcing Aiming's replacement, KT announced that Jang Yong-jun (Ghost) would switch back from support to ADC.
Ghost originally played as an ADC and won the World Championship in that position. He switched to support when he joined KT for the 2026 season, but after discussions with the team, he decided to spend the remainder of the season playing ADC again.
However, KT selected Fenrir, not Ghost, as its starting ADC against T1 on July 29.
While Ghost's position change has expanded KT's ADC options, there has been no announcement confirming that Ghost will immediately become the 1 team's starting ADC. To determine how KT intends to use Fenrir and Ghost, it will be necessary to examine both the starting lineup for upcoming matches and the Challengers team roster.
Timeline Before and After Aiming's Replacement
| Date | Key Development |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-20 | Fenrir was called up urgently because Aiming was in poor physical condition; KT defeated Nongshim 2–1 |
| 2026-07-28 | Ghost switched positions from support to ADC |
| Before the match on 2026-07-29 | KT announced Fenrir's call-up, citing internal conflict and team synergy problems |
| Match on 2026-07-29 | KT started Fenrir and defeated T1 2–0 |
| After the match on 2026-07-29 | Head coach Go Dong-bin explained the breakdown of trust and difficulties maintaining normal training |
| 2026-08-02 | KT's next regular-season match against Hanwha Life Esports is scheduled |
If Fenrir starts the next match as well, it would indicate that head coach Go Dong-bin's stated intention to keep him in the lineup is being reflected in actual roster decisions.
What to Watch Going Forward
The first thing to watch is whether KT issues any additional official statement.
Aiming's future participation in training, his chances of returning to competitive matches, and whether any separate measures will be taken have not yet been disclosed.
The second is the starting lineup for the August 2 match against Hanwha Life Esports.
The quickest way to assess the team's plans will be to see whether Fenrir starts again and whether KT maintains its bottom-lane partnership with Effort.
The third is how Ghost will be utilized.
Further match rosters will be needed to determine whether Ghost will regain match fitness in the Challengers League or be prepared as an alternative ADC option for the 1 team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Aiming Been Released by KT?
KT has not announced Aiming's release or contract termination as of the latest available information. What has been confirmed is the ADC substitution and Fenrir's call-up.
Has Aiming Received Official Disciplinary Action?
No specific disciplinary measures, such as a match suspension or fine, have been disclosed. Internal conflic
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.