Nongshim RedForce
From Shin Ramyun inspiration to VCT champions: the first Ascension-born team to win an international title.
Nongshim RedForce is a South Korean esports organization owned by the food and beverage company Nongshim, named after the popular Shin Ramyun instant noodle brand. Originally established as a League of Legends team competing in Challengers Korea (CK), the group secured a permanent spot in the primary league, LCK, after winning the 2020 Summer promotion tournament under the name Team Dynamics. Following Nongshim's acquisition on June 17, 2020, the organization officially rebranded as Nongshim RedForce on December 17, 2020. The team has since expanded beyond League of Legends to include a Valorant roster that achieved historic success in international competition.
Quick Facts
- Short name
- NS RedForce, NS
- Location
- South Korea
- Founded
- 15 May 2016 (as I Gaming Star)
- League
- LCK (LoL)
- VCT Pacific (Valorant)
- Pro Series Korea (PUBG Mobile)
- Owner
- Nongshim
- Manager
- Ko Jin-seob
- Game
- League of Legends
- Valorant
- PUBG Mobile
- Honor of Kings
Lore & Background
The organization's roots lie in its long tenure within Challengers Korea before achieving promotion as Team Dynamics. Their journey into the LCK franchise system was solidified when Riot Games Korea announced them as one of ten permanent partners following their 2020 Summer promotion victory. A pivotal moment occurred on June 17, 2020, when Nongshim became the main sponsor with the intent to acquire the team post-season. By December 17, 2020, Team Dynamics was fully rebranded as Nongshim RedForce. In Valorant, the organization made waves on November 25, 2024, by acquiring Sin Prisa Gaming, a squad that had recently promoted to the VCT Pacific League via the Ascension Pacific tournament. This acquisition included their league spot, while their former Challengers team moved to FearX.
Reader's Guide
Nongshim RedForce operates with teams in League of Legends and Valorant, having transitioned from a CK competitor to an LCK franchise partner. In Valorant, their path to success involved acquiring an existing VCT Pacific roster (Sin Prisa Gaming) rather than building from scratch, which allowed immediate entry into the top tier despite subsequent relegation struggles. Their historical trajectory highlights the importance of promotion tournaments and acquisition strategies in modern esports. For League of Legends fans, the team represents a bridge between the second division (CK) and the LCK franchise era, marked by the 2020 rebranding. The Valorant squad's unique achievement lies in their progression from the game's Premier mode through Sin Prisa Gaming to an international championship at Masters Santiago.
Did You Know?
- Nongshim RedForce won their first international tournament by defeating Paper Rex 3–0 at Masters Santiago.
- Their Valorant team qualified for Masters Santiago by beating RRQ in the Upper Bracket Finals of Kickoffs.
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