According to multiple sources close to BLIX.GG, Nongshim RedForce are set to enter VALORANT for VCT Korea 2023. LCK’s organization is set to sign former Overwatch League pro Do-hyeon “Pine” Kim as coach for the project. Open tryouts have reportedly begun for 2023, no player has been confirmed as of writing.
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Best known as ‘Big Boss Pine’ in the Overwatch League, Pine started in Team Fortress 2, he became a sensation in Korean TF2 before eventually switching to Overwatch where he would be signed by the New York Excelsior. Being regarded as one of the best hitscan players to ever touch Overwatch, Pine became one of the most well known players in Overwatch, although he would retire in 2019 due to too much pressure to perform at the top.
In 2021 would make a short return into the Overwatch League by signing with Dallas Fuel, reaching third in the 2021 season.
After Dallas Fuel let go of Pine, he went on to take his focus on VALORANT, although not as a player but as a coach. Pine would sign as coach for Gen.G’s academy program in Korea where he worked until now.
Nongshim RedForce, best known for their involvement in the LCK is a Korean esports organization owned by food and beverage company Nongshim, best known for their instant noodles ‘Ramyun’.
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The organization was one of the Korean organizations who submitted for the 2023 partnership program, although they would fail to secure a spot with T1, DRX and Gen.G receiving the Korean spots in the Pacific League.
