Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok could take a step back from professional League of Legends next year.
According to a translation by Korizon reporter Kevin Kim, the Invictus Gaming top laner is “not too sure” if he will return to China to prepare for the next season. “I haven’t decided on whether or not I’ll be a professional player next year, since my contract is expiring (soon),” he revealed on his stream today.
The former World Champion had a disappointing season and placed third in the 2020 LPL Spring Split, following an uncharacteristic 3-1 loss to LGD Gaming in the LPL Summer regional finals, failing to qualified for Worlds.
TheShy, once widely regarded as the world’s best top laner, might be leaving his team and taking a break from the League. “I’ll have to think about it,” he said. “It’s mainly due to COVID-19.”
“Everything else is fine, but with the current COVID-19 situation, it’s not ideal, not being able to come and go from Korea,” he said.
The Pandemic greatly affected TheShy, who was born in Korea, discouraging him to visit his family and friends home. “I’m getting teeth corrected at the moment as well,” he added—another reason to prevent his return. In this aspect, he hopes to remain a professional player as long as he can, without “extraordinary circumstances.”
Besides, during the stream, TheShy answered fans regarding his future plan (it is known that his contract has already ended with IG): “If I retire, I won’t make Youtube or stream. I will disappear, don’t try to find me. I will probably become a farmer in rural areas and then live like that. I will most likely play another year with Rookie. It’s probably Rookie’s last year as well. It’s all hard to say at this point.”
For now, TheShy said, “I’m thinking about it.”