While the LCK season is actively underway, having completed Rounds 1 and 2, a remarkably surprising development occurred as the initial round-robin phase concluded. The Korean ADC player, Nam “Diable” Dae-geun, has officially transferred to Nongshim RedForce (NS), departing from BNK FearX (BFX), the organization instrumental in his emergence as a prominent talent in the esports scene.
This acquisition could signify that Nongshim has secured the crucial element required to transform into a dominant force, capable of finally rivaling the LCK’s leading contenders, KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports.
However, is this truly an unmitigated success for the team? Not entirely…
What Led to Diable Joining NS?
To comprehend the circumstances surrounding Diable’s move to NS, we must revisit April 28th, the date BFX announced via their social media that the Attack Damage Carry had been moved to their Challengers (second-tier) team following his failure to appear at a scheduled fan engagement event.
On April 26th, BFX competed against the reigning world champions, T1, at the latter’s Homeground event, where T1 decisively defeated BFX with a 2-0 score. This defeat placed BFX in a precarious position, with a 2-6 record, residing in the lower half of the league standings. This starkly contrasted their performance in the season’s initial phase, when the Korean squad secured second place in the LCK Cup and participated in the inaugural international tournament of the 2026 calendar, First Stand.
It’s important to note that BFX operates out of Busan and has diligently worked to cultivate its own supporter base beyond Seoul, which hosts the majority of LCK organizations. The fan meeting represented a significant chance for both Seoul-based supporters and those who traveled from Busan to interact with the player, who was clearly recognized as the team’s star performer.
In an interview with BFX’s head coach, Park “Edo” Jun-seok, he articulated: “The primary concern (regarding Diable) was the fan gathering. After discussions among myself, the coaching staff, the general manager, and the CEO, we collectively decided to assign him to the CL (Challengers League) roster […] Even after his demotion and our public statement, instances of his poor conduct persisted. I wish to unequivocally convey to Diable that such behavior is unacceptable.”
Diable’s unwillingness to conform, despite the team’s internal attempts to sway him, compelled BFX to implement disciplinary action, thus sending him to the secondary squad. Once removed from the main roster, however, the situation rapidly intensified.
Diable Himself Hindered BFX’s Initial Transfer Proposal
Given BFX’s recent decline in performance and Diable’s contract nearing its expiration at season’s end, the team aimed to avoid losing their most valuable asset without compensation. Consequently, BFX sought to arrange a trade agreement with another LCK team, DN SOOPers (DNS), reportedly involving Challengers ADC Kwak “Enosh” Kyu-jun, who had previously competed with BFX in the lower division.
Theoretically, this arrangement made sense. Enosh would return to a familiar team, and BFX would also gain financially from Diable’s transfer. Nevertheless, the transaction did not materialize. According to Daily Esports, Diable’s minor status necessitated his personal consent for the transfer to proceed.
DNS currently occupies the last position in the LCK standings, having secured only a single victory. The team’s subpar performance was likely the primary factor contributing to Diable’s rejection of the trade.
Nongshim Intervenes to Resolve Diable’s Predicament
Diable’s decision placed BFX in a difficult position, as any intended transfer within this window needed to be completed before the commencement of the second round robin, setting an April 30th deadline.
The limited timeframe ultimately created a prime opportunity for Nongshim RedForce, which currently holds sixth place with a 4-5 record. In the end, Diable consented to his transfer to NS, with NS sending its now-former ADC, Kim “Taeyoon” Tae-yoon, to BFX in exchange.
Shortly following the announcement of their new player, NS also shared a handwritten letter of apology from Diable on its social media platforms. With the second round robin imminent, Diable will now be compelled to demonstrate his capabilities on the competitive stage with his new squad.
Was Diable the Key Component NS Required?
Irrespective of perspective, Diable’s integration into NS represents an improvement. Diable is regarded as one of the league’s top carry players, having achieved victories against some of the world’s elite bot lanes.
The player is recognized for his highly aggressive playstyle, always prepared to capitalize on even minor errors during the laning phase. In contrast, Taeyoon was frequently perceived as the weaker link for NS and displayed greater inconsistency in his performance.
Nevertheless, introducing a new player mid-split is rarely straightforward, especially for a team like NS, which is actively vying for a playoff spot.
The paramount factor for Diable will be establishing cohesion with his new support, Son “Lehends” Si-woo. Diable honed his skills playing alongside Kim “Kellin” Hyeong-gyu, and their partnership at BFX forged a formidable bot lane, to the extent that they were considered among the best duos globally.
