TL;DR
- Ssumday retired at age 27 to fulfill South Korea’s mandatory military service requirements starting July
- His decade-long career spanned KT Rolster, Team Dignitas, 100 Thieves, and Evil Geniuses
- The retirement contrasts with Faker’s potential military service exemption for esports achievements
- He transitioned to content creation with 100 Thieves after the 2023 competitive season
- Industry veterans and fans universally praised his legacy and contributions to professional League of Legends
Professional League of Legends witnessed a significant chapter close as veteran top laner Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho declared his departure from competitive gaming. The announcement arrived through his official X account on May 7, marking an immediate end to his esports participation.
Esports enthusiasts worldwide expressed surprise at the sudden nature of Ssumday’s retirement decision. At only 27 years old, many expected several more competitive seasons from the accomplished player.
The timing coincided with his approaching mandatory military service obligations in South Korea, scheduled to commence in July. This legal requirement affects nearly all able-bodied South Korean men between ages 18-28.
Ssumday’s retirement directly results from South Korea’s conscription system, which mandates approximately 18 months of military service. This requirement has previously impacted numerous esports professionals from the region.
The situation highlights the contrasting treatment between Ssumday and Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who may qualify for exemption through the Military Service Act’s exceptional talent clause. Faker’s potential waiver requires winning gold at approved international competitions like the Asian Games.
- Related: Faker can skip mandatory military service if he wins gold
This disparity has generated discussion within both esports and K-pop communities regarding consistent application of exemption criteria. Many fans argue that significant esports achievements should receive equal recognition to traditional sports accomplishments.
Reflecting on his career, Ssumday shared heartfelt appreciation for his supporters: “I’ve dedicated myself to becoming a player that fans could proudly support. While uncertain about my success in this goal, the continued encouragement suggests I achieved something meaningful. Thank you for making me feel special throughout my professional League journey.”
His competitive path began in 2013 with KT Rolster in the LCK before transitioning to North America’s LCS in 2016 with Team Dignitas. This move represented the early wave of Korean talent migrating to Western leagues.
Throughout his LCS tenure, Ssumday represented 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses, achieving his peak accomplishment by securing the LCS Summer Split championship with 100 Thieves in August 2021. This victory stands as the culmination of his North American competitive experience.
Following the 2023 competitive season, Ssumday had already begun transitioning into streaming and content creation roles within the 100 Thieves organization. This shift prompted speculation about his future competitive plans, which ultimately culminated in his retirement announcement after ten years of professional play.
Fellow esports veteran Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng immediately acknowledged Ssumday’s contributions, labeling him a “legend” within the game’s competitive history. 100 Thieves echoed similar sentiments through their official channels.
The broader community celebrated his successful career trajectory while expressing sadness at his departure. Supportive messages emphasized gratitude for his decade of competitive excellence and well-wishes for his upcoming military service and future endeavors.
Ssumday’s retirement represents a significant moment in esports history, highlighting both the maturation of professional gaming careers and the ongoing impact of national service requirements on competitive athletes.
His legacy includes pioneering the Korean-to-LCS transition movement, demonstrating sustained excellence across multiple regions and organizations, and setting standards for professional conduct throughout his career.
The gaming community now watches how his content creation career evolves post-military service and what mentorship role he might assume for emerging top lane talent following his return.
Action Checklist
- Watch Ssumday’s championship matches from LCS Summer Split 2021
- Follow his streaming channels for post-retirement content
- Research South Korea’s military service exemption criteria for esports athletes
- Analyze top lane techniques from his gameplay videos
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