Han “Peanut” Wang-ho, the prolific jungler for Hanwha Life Esports, has announced that he will have to take a step back from the pro League of Legends scene as he is due to begin his mandatory military service in 2026.
As Worlds 2025 gets ever closer, Hanwha Life Esports is one of the top teams in the LCK. Coming up next is the LCK Season 2025 playoffs, where it will fight against the likes of Gen.G, T1 and KT Rolster.
Hanhwa Life Esports has also been confirmed to be competing in Worlds 2025. This will be the final competition that Peanut participates in before leaving for his military service, and it is certain that Hanhwa Life Esports will be determined to net a victory before he leaves.
Why is Peanut going on military service?
Peanut turns 28 soon, meaning he can no longer avoid military service. Image Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
For South Korean men, military service is mandatory between the ages of 18 and 28, with the length of time that they are conscripted varying depending on what branch of the military the person has been assigned to. Peanut turns 28 in 2026, meaning he has run out of time to avoid doing his mandatory service. Typically, the assignment lasts between 18 to 21 months, and with South Korea’s prominence in the upper echelons of League of Legends, this isn’t an unusual venture.
Throughout the years, we’ve seen players such as Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu who played for KT Rolster as an ADC, undergo military service. Most famously, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok was given an exemption from military service when he was called due to the fact his team won a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games. This allowed him an exemption under Korea’s exceptional person clause that is commonly used for athletes who contribute to the prestige of their country.
However, it seems that won’t be the case for Peanut. While he has racked up plenty of individual awards through various tournaments, he has never managed to win the big one and become a World Champion.
Peanut didn’t mention whether he plans to come back to the competitive League of Legends scene once he is done with his military service.