Former SK Telecom T1 top laner Kim “Khan” Dong-ha has joined 2019 League of Legends World Champions FunPlus Phoenix, the organization announced on Twitter yesterday. Khan played under the SKT banner for a year, aiding them in victories in both LCK Spring and Summer 2019. He now joins Kim “GimGoon” Han-saem in the top lane.
Kim “Khan” Dong-ha made his Korean Champions debut in 2014, then playing for Prime Optimus under the name “Hanlabong.” He returned to the LCK in 2017, playing under the Longzhu Gaming banner for the Summer season. The team, bolstered by the likes of AD carry Kim “PraY” Jong-in and mid laner Gwak “Bdd” Bo-seong, topped the Split’s regular season leaderboard. Khan and co. faced off against Korean powerhouse SK Telecom T1 in the Summer season’s best-of-five Grand Final, winning the Split with a 3-1 scoreline.
Longzhu Gaming went into the 2017 World Championship as the LCK’s top seed. They topped their group undefeated, moving on to the play-offs. Khan’s inaugural Worlds run would come to an end there, as Longzhu lost to eventual champions Samsung Galaxy in the quarter-finals. Khan would then place second at the 2017 KeSPA Cup, his final tournament under the Longzhu name before the team signed with Kingzone DragonX.
Khan kicked off 2018 by winning the LCK Spring season, and securing a spot in the Mid-Season Invitational. The team advanced to the knockout stage at MSI, where they beat Flash Wolves before losing to Royal Never Give Up in the Grand Final. Kingzone DragonX returned to the LCK for the Summer season, this time placing fourth. The team narrowly missed out on a 2018 World Championship appearance after losing to Gen.G at the Regional Final.
Khan then joined the legendary SK Telecom T1 ahead of the 2019 season. Under the SKT name, Khan would take victories in both the Spring and Summer LCK seasons. The team made semi-final finishes at both the Mid-Season Invitational and the World Championship, falling to G2 Esports at both events.
FunPlus Phoenix came out victorious at the 2019 World Championship, quickly defeating G2 in the Grand Final. Khan will now link up with the reigning World Champions, joining Kim “GimGoon” Han-saem in the top lane. The organization makes it clear that GimGoon is remaining with the roster, stating that his contract has been extended.
Khan will debut with FunPlus Phoenix in the 2020 LPL Spring season.
