One of League of Legends’ most respected junglers has officially stepped away from the professional stage. Hung Karsa Hao-Hsuan has announced his retirement after twelve years in the pro scene, bringing an end to a career that spanned the Pacific region and China’s ultra-competitive LPL.
Across more than a decade of play, Karsa built a legacy few can match. He won four LMS titles, three LPL championships, and lifted the Mid-Season Invitational trophy in 2018 with Royal Never Give Up. He also appeared at Worlds seven times, reaching the quarterfinals twice and making a memorable semifinals run with Top Esports in 2020.
In an emotional farewell message and video, Karsa confirmed that while his time as a player is over, his journey in esports is not necessarily finished. He hinted that a new chapter lies ahead, possibly in coaching or content creation.
A Career That Defined an Era
Karsa first rose to prominence with Flash Wolves between 2015 and 2017, forming part of a golden generation alongside SwordArt and Maple. During that stretch, Flash Wolves dominated the LMS, winning four splits and consistently punching above their weight on the international stage.
Their 2015 Worlds run remains one of the most iconic moments in LMS history. Flash Wolves topped their group ahead of the KOO Tigers before falling to Origen in the quarterfinals. The team also reached the MSI semifinals in both 2016 and 2017, cementing Karsa’s reputation as one of the smartest and most reliable junglers in the world.
Those performances earned him a move to Royal Never Give Up, where 2018 became the defining year of his career.
The Legendary RNG Run and the Golden Road Dream
With RNG, Karsa shared jungle duties with Mlxg in a six-man roster that proved remarkably effective. The team won both the Spring and Summer LPL titles and claimed victory at MSI 2018, placing them firmly on track for the coveted Golden Road.
That dream ended in the Worlds quarterfinals after a shock loss to G2 Esports, but Karsa’s standing in the global scene remained sky-high. Even through a tougher 2019 season, RNG still reached an LPL final and qualified for Worlds, though they exited in the group stage.
Top Esports and a Career-Best Worlds Finish
In 2020, Karsa joined Top Esports and once again found success. TES claimed the LPL Summer title and went on to make a deep Worlds run, eventually reaching the semifinals before being eliminated by Suning. It was the best international result of Karsa’s career and a fitting highlight in his later years.
After two seasons with TES, he moved on at the end of 2021, marking the start of the final chapter of his playing career.
The Final Years and a Return Home
Karsa’s post-TES period was more turbulent. A stint with Victory Five showed early promise before collapsing in the Summer Split. In 2023, he joined Weibo Gaming but stayed for just one split.
He then returned to the Pacific region, rejoining CTBC Flying Oyster six years after leaving, before finishing his career with PSG Talon in 2025. That final season saw him compete at Worlds one last time, marking his seventh appearance at the game’s biggest event.
During this period, Karsa openly discussed the mental strain of competition. He admitted to struggling with form at PSG Talon and even sought therapy to cope with the pressure of his perceived decline. He credited former PSG coach Cheng “CorGi” Pin-Lun for helping him regain confidence and improve his play, even as retirement loomed.
An Emotional Goodbye and What Comes Next
In his farewell message, Karsa reflected on both the highs and lows of his journey.
“Over these years, there were peaks and there were lows. There were many painful moments, and also many moments of joy,” he said. “I truly enjoyed every moment on stage, the thrill of competition, the roar of the crowd, and the joy that League of Legends brought me.”
He added that while “Karsa, the player” is saying goodbye, he will continue forward with a new identity. For now, that includes spending more time streaming and connecting with his community, though he has not confirmed any formal coaching or team roles.
The announcement was met with an outpouring of respect from fans and fellow players alike. Many described him as one of the greatest junglers of all time, and a defining figure for both the LMS and LPL eras.
As Karsa steps away from competitive play at 28, he leaves behind a career filled with titles, iconic moments, and a legacy that helped shape League of Legends in both the Pacific and China.