A Heartfelt Farewell to Cloud9’s Midlaner
Cloud9 has officially announced that Lee “Loki” Sang-min, the team’s midlaner, is stepping away from the roster to remain in Seoul, South Korea, for personal reasons. The decision marks the end of Loki’s first year with the organisation, one that saw him quickly rise as one of the most promising rookies in the LTA North region.
💙 A Difficult Farewell to @C9Loki_Mid
Today, we announce that our Mid Laner, @C9Loki_Mid, is stepping away from the Cloud9 Kia roster.
Loki has made the necessary and deeply personal decision to remain in Seoul to be close to his family. We respect his choice completely and… pic.twitter.com/VTxcQK9VLz
— Cloud9 Kia (@C9LoL) November 4, 2025
In a statement shared on social media, Cloud9 expressed its full support for Loki’s choice, saying, “Loki has made the necessary and deeply personal decision to remain in Seoul to be close to his family. We respect his choice completely and are fully supporting him as he makes this transition. Family comes first.”
The team also thanked Loki for his hard work and passion throughout the year, adding, “Thank you, Loki, for all the passion, effort, and memorable moments you brought to our team this year. We wish you and your family nothing but the best.”
Loki’s Reflections on His Journey
Loki himself shared a personal message with fans, reflecting on his time with Cloud9 and the growth he experienced both as a player and as a person.
Umm.. thank you for keep supporting and cheering me guys uh It was hard to choice but I have to leave my C9 team. And It was really good memory for me. I could make worlds and msi but It was close. I grow up a lot of things as a good person and as a good pro player. Thank you https://t.co/lNZROu9XBn
— C9 Loki (@C9Loki_Mid) November 4, 2025
His heartfelt words were met with overwhelming support from fans, players, and fellow professionals across social media. LCS caster Isaac “Azael” Cummings Bentley wished him luck, while many others praised his dedication, humility, and rapid improvement throughout his rookie season.
A Promising Rookie Season
Loki joined Cloud9 in November 2024 and made an immediate impact in his debut year. He helped the team secure back-to-back second-place finishes in the first two LTA North splits and a top-four finish in Split Three. His standout performances earned him the LTA North Rookie of the Year award, solidifying his reputation as one of the region’s brightest new talents.
Despite Cloud9’s strong domestic run, the team narrowly missed out on qualifying for both the Mid-Season Invitational and Worlds 2025. Following the season’s conclusion, the organisation appointed Nick “Inero” Smith as its new Head Coach, signalling a period of transition and rebuilding ahead of the 2026 season.
What’s Next for Cloud9?
With Loki’s departure, Cloud9 will now be on the lookout for a new midlaner as it prepares for the return of the LCS and CBLOL circuits in 2026. The upcoming season will see the end of the LTA format after just one year, with Cloud9 among eight teams confirmed to compete in the new LCS lineup alongside FlyQuest and Sentinels.
For now, Cloud9 fans are left with gratitude for what Loki brought to the team, his talent, determination, and charm that made him a fan favourite in just one year. And while he may be staying in Seoul, the League community will undoubtedly be watching to see where his next chapter takes him.