DRX announced that their star duelist, Minhyeok “Flashback” Cho, is stepping away from competitive VALORANT right before the VCT 2026 season kicks off.
The Korean squad’s official notice released on on Jan. 8, 2026, detailed how Flashback approached management after the 2025 VALORANT Champions Tour off-season to request a contract termination, aiming to “re-center his life away from competition.” After talks with coaches, staff, and the player himself, all sides agreed to let him go.
The timing stings, though, as VCT Pacific teams are deep into boot camps, finalizing rosters for what promises to be a stacked 2026 campaign. DRX, no strangers to high stakes, won Pacific Kickoff in early 2025, and snagged second at Asian Champions League, but stumbled in Stage 1 and Masters Bangkok.
In terms of Flashback’s achievements, the 20-year-old lefty ace flashed brilliance across three seasons, securing top finishes like VCT Pacific Stage 2 runner-up in 2024 and Champions playoffs. However, whispers of inconsistency and mid-season absences lingered in community chats.
DRX framed the split as mutual respect. “While his departure is sudden, we respect Flashback on his transparency,” the statement read, stressing it serves his best interests as an individual.
Flashback’s personal statement on X
Flashback took to X soon after, sharing a post reflecting on his journey.
I’m so sorry for causing so much damage due to my own issues over this time. I feel like I’ve been a poor player right up to the end, and I’m truly sorry to all the fans and my teammates. I will retire as a player here.
DRX has been his home right from the start, and in his same X post, Flashback hopes DRX wins it all this year and wishes them the best of luck for the 2026 VCT Season. For DRX, the road ahead tests resilience. They’ve rebuilt before and secured wins at Champions and Masters events.
The management pledged full commitment to VCT despite Flashback’s sudden retirement. “DRX remains steadfast in our commitment to compete as a championship-calibre team, and we are preparing tirelessly for the upcoming VCT 2026 season.”
Flashback’s exit underscores burnout risks in esports’ grind, where young stars chase glory amid grueling schedules. As Pacific gears up, with giants like T1, Gen.G, and Paper Rex, DRX vows no panic.
“Please join us in wishing Flashback the very best of luck in his retirement,” they closed as he formally departed VALORANT esports. Esports betting markets will now eye the Pacific contenders, as VCT 2026 qualifiers near.
