Jeong Ji-hoon will not play for South Korea at the Asian Games 2026. The news surprised many esports fans around the world. Chovy is one of the best mid laners in League of Legends. Therefore, many people expected him to lead the national team once again.
However, his health problems became too serious to ignore.
According to the Korea e-Sports Association, several players were removed from the national team list because they needed treatment and rest. Although KeSPA did not directly mention Chovy’s name, Korean media later confirmed that he was one of the players affected.
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Chovy Left Out of South Korea’s LoL National Team
The roster for the South Korea National League of Legends Team quickly became a hot topic online. Most fans focused on one thing: Chovy was missing.
For years, Chovy has been one of the most consistent players in the world. In addition, he helped Gen.G win many important matches in the LCK. He also played at top international tournaments such as MSI and Worlds.
Even so, the star mid laner has been dealing with health issues for a long time.
Reports say Chovy started having hip pain during his time with Hanwha Life Esports. Unfortunately, his busy schedule made the injury worse over time.
Like many professional players, Chovy spent long hours practicing every day. He also had to travel often for tournaments and events. Because of that, he had very little time to rest properly.

Chovy’s Mother Shares Emotional Letter with Fans
After the news became public, Chovy’s mother posted a long message online. She wanted to explain the situation to fans and thank them for their support.
In her letter, she said the family did not realize how serious the injury was at first. Chovy rarely complained about pain. Therefore, they believed he could continue competing normally.
Last year, however, his condition became worse. As a result, he started physical therapy treatment.
At first, things seemed to improve. Still, his heavy competition schedule continued. Because of that, the family became less careful about the injury.
Later, after many long talks with Chovy, they made an important decision. They decided that rest and treatment must come first.
His mother wrote:
“After talking with him for a long time, we decided that resting and getting treatment was the best choice before things became worse.”
Many fans were especially touched by another part of her message. She blamed herself for not supporting her son more during difficult moments.
“When he said he was tired, I should have stayed beside him and listened more.”
Soon after, fans filled social media with supportive comments. Many people said Chovy made the correct choice by focusing on his health.

Chovy Has Been Playing Through Pain Since 2021
Several Korean reports claim that Chovy has dealt with pain since 2021. However, he continued to compete at the highest level.
Professional esports players often practice for more than ten hours a day. They also face constant pressure to perform well. As a result, injuries are becoming more common in esports.
Over the years, fans sometimes noticed that Chovy looked tired or uncomfortable on stage. Even then, he still showed amazing skill and strong performances.
Because of this, many supporters respect him even more now. They believe he sacrificed a lot for his team and for Korean League of Legends.
Faker and Zeka to Replace Chovy at Asian Games 2026
Without Chovy, South Korea selected Lee Sang-hyeok and Kim Geon-woo for the mid lane role.
Both players have strong international experience. Faker is widely seen as the greatest player in League of Legends history. Meanwhile, Zeka is famous for his aggressive style and strong mechanics.
Even so, many fans still feel sad about Chovy’s absence.
Recently, Chovy had been playing very well for Gen.G. His laning, farming, and decision-making remained among the best in the world. Therefore, many people believed he could play a key role for South Korea at the Asian Games.
Fans Continue Supporting Chovy’s Recovery
After the announcement, fans from many countries sent support messages to Chovy online. Most people agreed that health should come first.
In addition, many fans said Chovy already gave so much to competitive League of Legends. Therefore, taking a break now is the smartest decision for his future.
At the same time, this situation also started new discussions about player health in esports. Many people believe teams and organizations must do more to protect players from burnout and injuries.
Although Chovy will miss the Asian Games 2026, he still remains one of the biggest stars in Korean League of Legends. Fans now hope he can recover fully and return to the stage stronger than ever.
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