Hong “Karsa” Hao-xuan, the legendary jungler who dominated both the LMS (Taiwan–Hong Kong–Macau) and China’s LPL and earned a reputation as an “LCK killer,” has officially wrapped up his 11-year run as a professional gamer and announced his retirement. While his journey as an active player comes to an end, he made it clear that he intends to remain connected to esports in a new role.

Karsa shared the news through a lengthy post on his social media on December 28. “With this, I want to say goodbye to my identity as a player,” he wrote, adding, “Time really flew by—before I knew it, 11 years had passed,” as he reflected on the moment.

In the post, he looked back on the highs and lows of his career: “Over these 11 years, there were peak moments and there were low points, and there were sad moments and happy moments all mixed together.” He expressed gratitude to the teammates and coaching staff who stood by him, as well as to the organizations that trusted and believed in him along the way. He also conveyed deep thanks to his family, his girlfriend, and the fans who consistently showed up on-site to support him.

Karsa added that he took genuine pride in his time on stage: “Every moment on stage—the thrill of competition, the roar of the crowd, and the fun of playing League of Legends—I truly enjoyed it,” he wrote, underscoring how meaningful the experience was to him as a pro.

Karsa debuted in 2014 with Machi 17, then joined the Flash Wolves in 2015, where he began making his name known on the global stage in earnest. During his Flash Wolves years, he helped the team rule the LMS at its peak, and he left a strong impression internationally as an “LCK killer,” repeatedly threatening Korea’s LCK teams at major tournaments.

In 2018, Karsa transferred to Chinese powerhouse Royal Never Give Up (RNG), and that year he reached the pinnacle of his career by winning the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). After later moving to Top Esports (TES), he continued to deliver championships—driving the team to victory at the 2020 Mid-Season Cup (MSC) and the LPL Summer title—showcasing the kind of “hired gun” pedigree that lifts trophies with multiple organizations.

Karsa was widely regarded as an all-around jungler, combining aggressive ganking with highly refined macro play. He was especially renowned for his proficiency on carry jungle champions such as Lee Sin, Nidalee, and Graves. Even as metas shifted, he maintained steady, consistent performances and sustained elite form for an extended period.

Although “Karsa the player” is stepping away, his esports life appears set to continue. Near the end of his retirement statement, he wrote, “I’m saying goodbye to Karsa the player, but the story will continue,” and added, “I’ll keep moving forward with a new identity.” This line is being interpreted as a hint that he may transition into a leadership path—such as coaching staff—going forward.

Fans across the Chinese-speaking regions are responding with a mix of regret and support: “It’s sad to see someone I’ve watched since the Flash Wolves days leave,” one wrote, while another added, “He went out in style—stepping onto the Worlds (League of Legends World Championship) stage right up to the end.”

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.