TL;DR
- InSec revolutionized Lee Sin gameplay with his signature ‘InSec Kick’ technique
- Mandatory military service and family tragedy forced his premature retirement
- He achieved 2 of 3 career goals but never won the LCK championship
- The community widely recognizes him as defining Lee Sin’s competitive role
- His legacy continues through streaming while inspiring future professional players
While Choi “InSec” In-seok expresses genuine sadness about concluding his professional League of Legends journey, he departs knowing his influence extended far beyond his fanbase to fundamentally shape the game’s competitive landscape.
InSec earned legendary status through his groundbreaking mastery of jungle champion Lee Sin. His connection to the champion grew so profound that Riot Games immortalized his signature maneuver as “The InSec Kick”—a complex technique leveraging Lee Sin’s exceptional mobility combined with his Dragon’s Rage ultimate ability to forcibly reposition enemies into vulnerable positions for team elimination.
The League of Legends community on Reddit expressed collective mourning for the legend’s departure while celebrating his innovative playstyle. Veteran players universally acknowledged that even competitors who never mained Lee Sin recognized InSec’s role in establishing the champion’s competitive identity and strategic value.
InSec’s retirement announcement delivered a substantial shockwave throughout the esports ecosystem, affecting both the global League community and the player himself. During a candid interview, he revealed his strong desire to continue competing professionally in South Korea, particularly following his participation in KeSPA Cup 2018 with team Winners. However, Korea’s compulsory military service requirements abruptly terminated his competitive aspirations.
“Naturally, I experience deep regret about this outcome. I continue feeling remorseful about reaching this decision primarily due to external circumstances rather than personal choice,” InSec confessed.
The 25-year-old veteran maintained an extensive professional career spanning back to 2012 with his debut on CJ Entus. Following his departure from that organization, InSec established three definitive career objectives: defeat his former team, qualify for the World Championship, and capture the LCK title. While he successfully accomplished the initial two goals, the elusive third achievement made his forced retirement particularly painful.
InSec expanded his professional horizons in 2018 by relocating to Europe to compete with Origen. This strategic move represented a significant opportunity for career advancement, though the transition became complicated by his father’s concurrent cancer diagnosis. Despite receiving paternal blessing for the European venture, InSec confronted the emotionally complex decision to pursue his competitive dreams abroad.
Tragedy struck when InSec’s father passed away on May 1, coinciding with the exact date of his scheduled return flight to visit. An airline scheduling error forced InSec onto a subsequent day’s flight, creating circumstances that generated overwhelming guilt and emotional turmoil.
“I experienced profound guilt about missing my final opportunity to be present at his bedside during his final moments. I believed these circumstances resulted from my personal ambition. Following this traumatic event, I completely avoided League of Legends for an extended period. After the funeral proceedings, I essentially remained confined to my living space,” InSec revealed emotionally.
Despite briefly resuming competitive play, InSec has now made the definitive decision to permanently step away from professional gaming. Many aspiring professionals could benefit from understanding how to balance competitive aspirations with personal responsibilities—a challenge InSec confronted under exceptionally difficult conditions.
While InSec’s path to professional success involved significant personal sacrifice and adversity, it simultaneously established his reputation as an extraordinary competitor with exceptional strategic innovation capabilities. His retirement marks a transition toward content creation through streaming on KakaoTV, where he can continue engaging with the community that celebrated his innovative contributions.
For players seeking to understand how legendary techniques evolve, our comprehensive gameplay guide explores similar evolutionary patterns in competitive gaming. Additionally, those interested in optimizing their own champion mastery should consult our advanced strategy resources for professional-level insights.
The InSec legacy demonstrates how individual innovation can permanently alter competitive gaming landscapes. His story serves as both inspiration and cautionary tale for aspiring professionals navigating the complex intersection of competitive ambition and personal circumstance.
Action Checklist
- Master signature techniques that can redefine champion roles
- Establish clear, measurable career objectives with defined timelines
- Develop contingency plans for unexpected career interruptions
- Balance professional ambitions with personal commitments and responsibilities
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Lee Sin master InSec officially retires from pro League of Legends Legendary Lee Sin innovator InSec retires from pro League of Legends, leaving behind an iconic legacy and heartbreaking personal story