T1, a South Korean esports team, claimed victory at the first major Valorant tournament of 2025, Valorant Masters Bangkok, after a thrilling final against North America's G2. The match went on all five maps, with the last one going overtime.

G2 took the first map, Lotus, with a 13-5 win. However, T1 fought back in the second map, Haven, winning four rounds in a row to tie the series. On Abyss, G2 led with five consecutive rounds, but T1 bounced back on Split to force an overtime.

The final map, Pearl, saw T1 lead 8-4 at halftime, but G2 mounted a comeback to tie it at 10-12. T1 responded with a strong push, forcing three overtime rounds. In the end, a clutch play by Kim ‘stax�Gu-taek sealed the win for T1 at 15-13.

Kim ‘Meteor�Tae-oh was named MVP of the tournament, showing strong leadership and solid stats.

With the first big tournament of 2025 over, the focus shifts to regional leagues and the next Masters event. Fans are eager to see which teams will rise in upcoming tournaments.

Stay tuned and cheer on your favourite esports teams!

As the most successful organisation in League of Legends, T1 has had plenty of popular stars from their team. One of those big names is Bae ‘Bangâ€?Jun-sik, a two-time Worlds Championship winner with the org. 

Since he retired in May 2023, Bang has done well as a streamer and content creator. With his efforts, he earned his way back to T1 as one of their top streamers. It is a great deal, considering Bang is one of the most successful players in League of Legends history. 

Bang’s return is big for T1

Since Bang is one of the most recognisable names in League, it is a fantastic decision for T1 to bring him back. He is a beloved figure who will only help the org continue to grow in the streaming space.

South Korea has wanted more content creators to shine, especially with Twitch’s exit in 2023. With CHZZK starting to become the top streaming platform in the country, having one of the biggest names is a helpful tool for T1 to get their brand further out there. 

Bang is not alone in his role at T1 because he is the eighth creator on the roster. One of those stars is Lee ‘Flameâ€?Ho-jong, another former League pro. This decision is motivated by the influx of content creators helping organisations improve their branding and standing among the fans. If they can influence and even help fund events, that would be big for T1. 

T1 wants to keep expanding

Aside from their foray into content with Bang and the other streamers, T1 is focused on growing as a company. They have launched plans to raise $35 million for the expansion of their gaming café in Seoul called Base Camp. 

With Bang and other streamers within T1, they could help generate more revenue for themselves and the org. It is a big deal to have this kind of dynamic with the org because T1 has done well. They continue to be successful in competitions, but they also have to boost their branding with recognisable names.

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