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Well, look who’s back.

Gen.G have officially brought back Korean VALORANT veteran Kim ‘Lakia’ Jong-min to their main roster and the timing couldn’t be spicier.

After stepping away from competitive play due to a nagging wrist injury late last year, Lakia’s now fully healed and ready to hit the server again.

And for Gen.G, this isn’t just any signing,  it’s a reunion with a player who was part of the squad that made history at Shanghai Masters 2024.

A familiar face, a proven champion

Lakia isn’t new to the Gen.G jersey. His last stint with the org saw him help secure some massive wins, including the VCT 2024: Pacific Stage 2 title and, more memorably, the Masters Shanghai trophy, the first international win for a Pacific region team.

But since then, Gen.G have had a bit of a silverware drought. Sure, they’ve been a strong presence throughout VCT 2025, finishing second in Stage 1 behind the ever-dominant Paper Rex, and currently topping their group in Stage 2. They even knocked Paper Rex out at the Esports World Cup in the 3rd-place decider. Still, there’s been a sense that something’s missing.

That “something” might just be Lakia.

Why now?

Some reckon it’s all about vibes, especially with VALORANT Champions 2026 officially heading to Shanghai. The memes have already started, with fans joking that Lakia is Gen.G’s “Shanghai lucky charm.” But jokes aside, there’s a real strategic edge to the signing.

Bringing back someone like Lakia, a player with experience, synergy with returning teammates, and a chip on his shoulder, could be the edge Gen.G need to go all the way again. The current roster already features big names like t3xture, Karon, and Foxy9, and the addition of Lakia could either elevate them to the next level… or throw off the balance entirely.

That’s the gamble.

A risky shakeup?

Right now, there’s no official word on whether Lakia will immediately replace someone in the starting five, though Ha ‘Ash’ Hyun-cheol seems to be the name most fans are watching. It’s a tricky move, Gen.G’s current lineup has been solid, and any mid-season shuffle comes with its fair share of risk.

Still, it seems Gen.G are betting on upside. They know what Lakia can do. And he’s hungry.

In a short post on socials, Lakia kept it simple: “I don’t know what will happen, but I’ll do my best.”

One eye on the past, two on the future

With VCT Pacific Stage 2 in full swing and a showdown against Nongshim RedForce coming up on 8 August, Gen.G’s next steps will be under the microscope. Fans are keen to see if Lakia slots back in seamlessly or if there’s an adjustment period ahead.

Either way, one thing’s clear, Gen.G aren’t here to settle for top-four finishes. They’re chasing trophies. And they’re hoping their Shanghai spark will catch fire again.