Cloud9 enters Fortnite esports, signs Korean team

Cloud9's focus on Korean esports continues.

Image via Epic Games | Remix via Preston Byers

Cloud9 is the latest esports organization to embrace Fortnite: Battle Royale, revealing its new Korean team on Thursday via its website.

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Choi “Trona” Jun-Hyeong, Choi “Noah” Tae-Jun, Kim “GANJi” Sung-Min, and Moon “Duty” Sun-Ho have joined the organization, making them the first Korean roster to sign with a western team.

Duty was the top Korean player in the Fortnite Solo Showdown and a top 10 player in the world, according to C9. In addition to Duty’s personal success, the team, which formerly played for Lunatic-Hai, won both maps in the ROX Gaming Showmatch recently, showing their potential and talent.

“I’m thrilled that we keep pulling in this level of talent for Fortnite,” said C9 founder and CEO Jack Etienne. “I know Trona, Noah, GANJi, and Duty are all going to make waves right away and make us proud.”

Related: Epic Games will provide $100 million in prize pool money for the first year of Fortnite esports

Not only is Cloud9 one of the most popular organizations in the United States, but its fans span all over the world. South Korea seems to be a major point of interest for C9, though. Its Overwatch League team, London Spitfire, features an entirely Korean lineup. The organization also has a Korean PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds team and signed a Korean Hearthstone player.

While this team signing is a first for Cloud9 in Fortnite, the organization will likely scout out some of the best talent in North America similarly to how it approached PUBG. Cloud9 has an enormous audience, with many fans rooting for its League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive rosters, which have seen their fair share of success in the past.

C9’s introduction into Fortnite is preceded by many rivals jumping in and acquiring players. Top organizations like FaZe Clan, OpTic Gaming, and longtime NA LCS adversary TSM have already established lineups within Fortnite, but the competitive history has just begun.

With so much history and success in esports already, Cloud9 and its supporters will certainly expect great things from the new Korean roster so they can add a few trophies to the organization’s long list of accolades.

Author
Image of Preston Byers
Preston Byers
Dot Esports associate editor. Co-host of the Ego Chall Podcast. Since discovering esports through the 2013 Call of Duty Championship, Preston has pursued a career in esports and gaming. He graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism in 2021.