With a nickname like “Lord,” a reputation for playing champions of the crocodilian variety, and a name shared with gaming’s most iconic cowboy, you might be forgiven for thinking that Morgan approaches League of Legends with a focus on causing chaos. 

In reality, the 24-year-old top laner from Seoul has never been that kind of player. His game is measured, disciplined, almost understated, carried out with the stoicism required of a weakside warrior. Rather than seeking glory, he’s the quintessential top laner, staying affixed to his lane and patiently awaiting any contender bold enough to approach.

No image captures this better than Morgan’s performance in the 2022 LCK Summer match where his team, Fredit BRION, faced Nongshim RedForce. In Game 1, Nongshim’s toplaner Canna picked Gnar, a calculated pick designed to tear apart BRION’s sidelanes. All that stood between those structures and the conniving Yordle was Morgan’s Ornn.

And stand strong he did. At 28 minutes, Nongshim attempted a 4-man dive onto the toplane tier 2 turret, resulting only in Morgan stalwartly trading back two kills and sending the survivors packing. Morgan’s reaction to such an impressive play was hilariously understated; as the replay ran through all the minutiae of his calculated counter-attack, his face remained largely expressionless, even slightly annoyed that he hadn’t taken down more. There is little vanity on display when you watch Morgan play — only a desire to be even better the next time.

But what is he like outside of the game? When looking at a stoic and focused player like Morgan, it’s easy to wonder if there’s a different side of him that spectators aren’t privy to. So, as part of his official welcome to TL, and to introduce him to a new legion of fans, we spoke to the “General” — AKA UmTi, who departed the team this year for mental health reasons and played with Morgan on BRION — to find out more about TL’s newest toplaner.

Umti, it’s great to hear from you - especially as you’ve been keeping quiet during your break, what have you been up to? 

For two months, I've just been focusing on myself. Just going to [the] gym, meeting friends, and taking care of my family. That’s the reason I had to come back home.  Then after two months I started to play League.

The addiction came back? 

Yeah, I guess you could say that. Other than playing, I've been trying out casting or the analyst desk. I’m also trying to spend more time with fans. I'm doing a fan meet on the 7th of December at Gyeonggi-do if anyone wants to come!

Have you hung out with Morgan since you came back to Korea? 

Yeah, we hung out. I remember when he lost in the play-in recently, he called me up straight after and said, “let’s just go drink.” And I just said, “hell yeah, brother.” 

So what was the hangout like with you and Morgan? What are you guys getting up to? KBBQ? Drinking and sharing stories? 

We went out and he came to my area. There are some drink areas, and there are good foods. So we went there, and then I didn't [drink]. I actually don't like soju. But Morgan likes soju. I didn't drink soju for one year and a half. But that day, [I thought], I should shut the hell up and just drink.

That's quite sweet of you. That means it must mean he means a lot to you, that you would break your rule of not drinking soju for him. 

Yeah. I was not drinking alcohol either. And then that time, I just realized that this guy needs something to drink. So screw the rule. 

What’s Morgan’s vibe as a drinking partner? He seems quite serious in game: is that the same when he drinks?

The vibe is, like, just two funny guys. I think Morgan is the most positive guy I've ever seen. He makes jokes a lot. I think even though that day, when he was having a hard time for being out of the play-ins, he was still smiling. I would say that he is a bit of a rascal though. Because he makes others drink and he doesn't drink [any more].  He doesn't try to drink, so his limit to soju is, like, two bottles —

So he’s a bit of a lightweight?

Yeah. At first, he's very fast, like, “cheers, cheers, cheers,” and then after one bottle, he's making others drink when he's not drinking.

Do you remember the first time you ever met Morgan? What was that like? 

I can describe it in one word. He was a scam. The first time he came into BRION, he was like the school prefect. He was a kind boy, always taking you water or taking care of the younger brothers, like Delight. Then, after 3 months he [started to] feel comfortable. I think he was a rascal after that. He was pushing the other guys, like, “am I crossing the line?” And then he thought, “oh, you guys are actually funny,” and then he joined us, and became a rascal.

And when did you first feel yourself becoming close to Morgan?

I think it was 2023. I was trying to join Team Liquid even then, but Pyosik got it. So I accepted it, and I was trying to go to the analyst desk for the Spring. At that time BRION was losing scrims — like a 30 or 40 time [loss] streak, if I heard [correctly].  The head coach came to me and said, “can you help us?” And I joined BRION again, and Morgan saw me, and he acted like he saw a god or something. 

He acted awkward? 

He acted like, “oh, my savior.” And then I think we became very close. Before it was like I was the teacher and he was a student, but then it was like [we were] brothers.‍

What would surprise people about Morgan? 

Dude, that guy is obsessed with beef intestines. We call it “gopchang” in Korea. He orders it every time. It’s so strange. 

Do you guys watch the same shows? 

Yeah. We would watch Demon Slayer together when it was coming out, and we’d discuss it with Coach Edgar also. Then Morgan would try to spoil me constantly so I had to fight him. 

Like actually fight?

No, no, only joke fighting. Oh, and he would also make fun of me for crying at the show.

I wanted to ask about the nicknames you guys have. You were the General. He’s the Lord. What do you think about that? 

I think both names are quite cool. I got blessed by Cloud Templar, who made that nickname. And then Lord Morgan — I think it fits him well and sounds cool, like a Starcraft player.

Do you think he has a lord vibe to him?

Well, I would say he's not a serious lord. He's a laughing, joking lord. But inside him, he does everything.  He does his work [too].

Let’s say you're Morgan’s agent. How would you sell him as a player? What are his strengths? 

He's a very good defense player and he's a very good weak side player. He's very good at laning. His teamfight skill is quite good too.

What do you think is the thing he needs to improve on the most? 

When he teamfights, sometimes, he only teamfights at the perfect angle. I think [that] is his one weak point. He can be a bit of a perfectionist. Sometimes he needs to play for himself.

TL fans loved Impact, and you’ve played with both Impact and Morgan. What are the differences?

Impact is more of a big brother. He was introducing me to good foods and teaching me about America. But with Morgan, he’s gonna have to have someone show him that for sure. He will be fine, though. I think Yeon likes Morgan, anyway. 

They’ve already spoken?

They don't know each other, but I can feel it. I can feel that Yeon will like Morgan.

I read that apparently Morgan was going to be a lawyer before he became a pro player. Did you know that? 

What the hell? I don't think so. I don't think he can be.

Was he good at arguing his case in the VOD review after a loss? 

Well, no. Maybe he’s good at talking about his side, but definitely not jungle. [laughs] 

Just before we go, some quick-fire questions. What do you think Morgan's best champion is?

Renekton.

And what do you think is a champion he needs to improve at? 

Ambessa.

Do you think that Morgan will be one of the best top laners in NA? 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure about it with Team Liquid. 

How good, if you had to give him a ranking? 

He will be the best. With the Team Liquid environment, he will be the best. I think there are team members — Core and Yeon — [that] can support him well. They’ll be a strong team, for sure.