MadLife joins new North American Challenger team

Legendary Korean support Min-gi “MadLife” Hong has signed with new North American Challenger Series team Gold Coin United, the team announced Thursday. MadLife, famous for his Thresh play, had been with CJ Entus in South Korea since February 2013.

The 24-year-old MadLife has been playing League of Legends competitively since the infancy of the game’s pro scene, first joining MiG Frost in October 2011. On that team, he played along side Yoon-seop “Locodoco” Choi, who would later go on to coach Team SoloMid and Team Liquid and will now be MadLife’s coach on Gold Coin United.

After Frost was purchased by Azubu, MadLife and the team made a run at Season 2 Worlds, making it all the way to the finals before falling to Taipei Assassins. That was the last time MadLife played at Worlds, as CJ Entus was never quite able to reach those heights, eventually being relegated from the LCK this year.

On Gold Coin United, MadLife joins a pretty impressive roster that includes former LCS starters Lucas “Santorin” Larsen and Jae-hun “FeniX” Kim. The team is rounded out by former Team Liquid Academy top laner Colin “Solo” Earnest and AD Carry prospect Richard “Rikara” Oh.

Gold Coin United, owned by J2K Esports and Technology, purchased the NA Challenger Spot of relegated NRG Esports in December.