JDG Esports are shaping up to be a serious contender next season, bolstered by the addition of a domestic championship-winning tactician Lee “bail” Sung-jae at the helm.
CHINA – JDG Esports have officially named Lee “bail” Sung-jae as their new head coach. The former Bilibili Gaming tactician will remain in the VCT CN League for another season, this time leading a new roster alongside fellow Korean and JDG’s star player Park “stew” Young-chan.
Alongside bail’s arrival, Niu “zhe” Zhe from Rare Atom has also signed with JDG, marking the 21-year-old’s first step into tier-one competition next year. Rounding out today’s announcement, JDG confirmed the addition of Huang “Yuicaw” Yung-chieh, previously of Wolves Esports. It’s currently unclear whether this lineup is final or if more signings are yet to come.
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bail brings with him a decorated résumé as a seasoned Korean FPS veteran, having been part of the WeMadeFOX generation of elite Korean players-turned-coaches who have since made their mark in VALORANT.
His international debut came with NORTHEPTION at VALORANT Masters Copenhagen 2022, before he returned to Korea to coach Gen.G during VCT Pacific 2023, guiding the team to a fourth-place finish. He later ventured into China with Octagonal Disposition Gaming for a brief period.
In 2024, bail joined Bilibili Gaming, where he led the team to three international appearances in Seoul, Toronto, and Paris, culminating in a strong domestic showing and a 2025 Season Finals championship in Chongqing.
While BLG’s international results plateaued, bail’s leadership together with Wang “JeXeN” Linxiao helped elevate the squad into one of China’s most consistent teams, breaking free from the shadow of EDward Gaming.
zhe joins JDG as a solid pickup following his impressive run with Rare Atom, where he helped the team secure a second-place finish at VCT Ascension CN. Playing duelist and initiator, zhe closed out his Ascension campaign with an average of 238.6 ACS and 0.84 KPR across 240 rounds.
Meanwhile, Yuicaw brings valuable experience from his stints with FunPlus Phoenix and Attacking Soul Esports, as well as his recent success with Wolves Esports, contributing to their third-place finish at VALORANT Masters Toronto. One of Yuicaw’s standout qualities is his versatility, having taken on various roles over the years to adapt to his teams’ needs.
JDG Esports are set to debut their new roster next week at the CN Evolution Series Finale, opening their campaign against Any Questions Gaming in the single-elimination bracket.
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Cover photo courtesy of JDG Esports
