Ex-T1 Player Gumayusi Cyberbullied, Korean Lawmaker Slams Actions

• South Korean lawmaker questions the harassment of ex-T1 player Gumayusi.
• His statement challenges Korea’s growing ‘cyber-wrecker’ culture.
• The issue pushes player-protection norms back into national discussion.

A South Korean lawmaker has openly condemned the fan criticism against Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong, the talented League of Legends player and 2025 Worlds Finals MVP. This comes after Gumayusi announced his departure from T1 a few days ago.

Jeon Yong-gi, a Democratic Party of Korea representative, described the situation as an "organized pattern of harassment," and noted its longstanding nature. He also highlighted that the issue has gone beyond the bounds of appropriate fan criticism.

Jeon released a statement on his Facebook page calling for immediate action by various platforms, including the government and esports organizations such as the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) and Riot Games Korea, and other relevant institutions.

The T1 Supporters Gallery, often referred to as T1Gall, was specifically mentioned in Jeon's statement, after he identified it as a center for continuous cyberbullying. He said that the action indicated that some community members are driven by attention rather than real fandom sentiment. He further highlighted that Gumayusi was being cyberbullied "for fun" by people who exhibited "cyber-wrecker-style conduct."

"Cyber wreckers" is a phrase used in Korea to describe those who use slander or sensationalized content for clicks and profit. In the past, there have been efforts made to curb such actions, and the removal of comment sections from sports news sites. 

Gumayusi’s Cyberbullying: Jeon Yong-gi’s Call for Player Welfare

Calling for a three-pronged approach, the parliamentarian advocated for tougher legislation, including harsher penalties for defamation and insult, as well as higher civil damages. Apart from that, he also asked esports institutions to implement robust rules for player protection, especially for the younger or the emerging ones. Jeon said that the institutions, instead of acting upon, usually "remain on the sidelines."

Jeon also urged online platforms such as DC Inside, which hosts the T1Gall forum, to implement stricter self-regulation. He said he would also press for methods to hold platforms accountable if they enable content circulation that escalates into potential criminal conduct.

What led to Gumayusi’s Harassment?

Gumayusi's year with T1 was already stressful. He was momentarily benched following losses against Dplus KIA and DRX, and was replaced by rookie “Smash.” T1 never disclosed anything regarding their decision to bench Gumayusi, however, industry reports suggest that CEO Joe Marsh intervened to bring him back.  Even after he returned and performed well, many believed the early incident signaled an internal tension.

When his contract formally concluded on November 17, 2025, the pressure on him did not ease. Instead, the criticism evolved into complete cyberbullying. Trucks and funeral wreaths were sent to him, and his family was doxxed. According to lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi, this showed that the matter had progressed beyond games and into targeted abuse.

Jeon further dismissed the notion that this was merely "tough love" or constructive criticism and stated that the esports community must establish a clear boundary between support and abuse. He called for legal action, noting that "the government and National Assembly must move to strengthen sanctions," and emphasizing that "all esports players deserve protection."

Several fans have shown support for Gumayusi, pointing out that the demands placed on public figures are often oversimplified. This incident highlights a larger issue in Korean fan culture, in which people, especially celebrities such as K-Pop artists, actors, and TV personalities, experience long-standing patterns of pressure and harassment. And now it's hitting esports as well. Conversations concerning player welfare and community accountability are already on the rise at this point. Jeon's statement in favor of Gumayusi emphasizes the need for healthier norms and more diligent engagement in the esports sector.