Dambi to explore his options for 2027 after Nongshim RedForce miss partnership

Lee "Dambi" Hyuk-kyu, the star Duelist for Nongshim RedForce, widely celebrated as the "Neon Demon," has officially announced that he is exploring his options for the 2027 season.

The 20-year-old South Korean phenom revealed on social media that while he remains in ongoing talks with Nongshim RedForce, the organization granted him permission to explore opportunities as a free agent.

The announcement comes on the heels of news that Nongshim RedForce was not selected for the 2027–2028 VCT Partnership Program by Riot Games.

From Ascension Underdogs to Masters Santiago Champions

Dambi's rise in the VALORANT competitive scene has been nothing short of meteoric. After transitioning from Sin Prisa Gaming when Nongshim RedForce acquired the roster in late 2024, Dambi spearheaded a historic 2026 campaign.

His explosive entry playing on Neon propelled Nongshim RedForce to win VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Pacific Kickoff before capturing the trophy at VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Masters Santiago 2026 with a 3–0 grand final sweep over Paper Rex.

With that victory, Nongshim RedForce made history as the first Ascension team to lift an international VCT trophy, with Dambi earning tournament MVP honors.

Sustained Excellence Across the 2026 Season

Far from a one-hit wonder, Dambi and Nongshim RedForce maintained top-tier form throughout 2026. The squad secured a third-place finish at the EWC - Esports World Cup 2026, earned a runner-up finish in VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Pacific Stage 2, and made a playoff appearance at VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Champions Shanghai.

Dambi's aggressive playstyle, high first-kill impact, and clutch capacity made him one of the best entry Duelists in the global VALORANT circuit. What's more, he single-handedly revolutionized the way people played Neon.

Looking Ahead to the 2027 Season

With Nongshim RedForce missing out on a partnered franchise slot despite a comprehensive 110-slide application presented by CEO Evans Oh, Dambi is now open to new international and regional offers.

Fluent in Korean with working proficiency in English, the elite Duelist will definitely be one of the most coveted talents on the market heading into VCT 2027.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games