Korean player Cho ‘Flashback‘ Min-hyuk has officially announced his retirement from the VALORANT esports scene.
The announcement on DRX’s social media channel occurred shortly before the start of the new 2026 competitive season. In his stead, the Korean team has picked up Ahn ‘Hermes‘ Byeong-wook, who was previously on FEARX.
“Following the conclusion of the 2025 VCT OFF//SEASON, Flashback approached our management to discuss his future and formally requested his contract to be terminated in order to retire and re-centre his life away from competitive Valorant,” DRX said in its statement.
“After numerous deliberations involving our coaching staff, management, and players, all parties have ultimately agreed to support Flashback’s decision.”
As a player raised in DRX Academy, Flashback had taken different personal leaves over the past years, with his third return to the roster being last year in July, ahead of the VCT Pacific Stage 2.
His return allowed the team to regain form for the last part of the 2025 season, which culminated in a top a top-three finish at the 2025 VALORANT Champions Tour in Paris. Now, however, it looks like Flashback will hang up his mouse and keyboard for good going forward.
DRX Welcomes Hermes to replace Flashback
To replace the retiring player, DRX has picked up Hermes, who has been competing in the VALORANT Challengers Korea for the last four years. The 20-year-old will get his chance in tier-one play after several strong splits, including two first-place finishes and a third-place finish with FEARX last season.
Hermes will make his debut with the rest of the DRX roster on January 24th when the team will play its first VCT 2026 Pacific Kickoff match. Due to last year’s Champions qualification, the team has been placed in the upper bracket quarterfinals and will face the winner between ZETA DIVISION and FULL SENSE.
DRX is also making changes to the academy team, having parted ways with Park ‘Exy0’ Sang-hyeok. His replacement has yet to be unveiled.
