South Korean Players Withdrew From PUBG Asia Stars
Eight competitors exited the tournament following allegations of cheating by Vietnamese participants.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in eSports
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Eight South Korean players withdrew from the PUBG Asia Stars tournament after accusing Vietnamese competitors of using live broadcasts to track their in-game positions. Tournament organizer Krafton subsequently removed two Vietnamese players, Tran Danh Bu and Raphung Tien Dat, for cheating.
Why it matters
The South Korean participants withdrew to protest the tournament organizer's perceived delay in addressing the cheating allegations. This move sparked significant controversy, leading to a loss of corporate support for the event.
Eight South Korean players withdrew from the PUBG Asia Stars tournament held among representatives from six countries. Krafton confirmed the cheating by monitoring internal data before removing the accused players.
The players
Krafton
This South Korean video game holding company is the developer and publisher of the popular battle royale title PUBG.
Baek Eok Coffee
This company is a corporate sponsor that withdrew its support for the tournament following the cheating scandal.
Tran Danh Bu
He is a Vietnamese player who was removed from the tournament roster by organizers for violating competitive integrity rules.
Raphung Tien Dat
He is a Vietnamese player who was disqualified from the competition for using prohibited methods to gain an advantage.
The details
Vietnamese players allegedly monitored live broadcasts on separate screens to relay the positions of their South Korean counterparts. The incident occurred during the competition which brings together participants from across Asia.
Timeline
September 17, 2026: The PUBG Asia Stars tournament began.
September 19, 2026: The eight South Korean players withdrew and organizers removed the cheaters.
September 20, 2026: Baek Eok Coffee suspended its sponsorship activities.
Season Trajectory
The mass withdrawal of South Korean players significantly destabilizes the current competitive balance of the PUBG Asia Stars tournament. This disruption leaves the integrity of the remaining matches in question as organizers scramble to address the fallout from the cheating scandal.
The removal of two key players and the exit of the entire South Korean contingent requires an immediate revision of the tournament bracket and scoring distribution. Fans should anticipate significant scheduling adjustments to account for the reduced number of active competitors in the final stages.
The takeaway
Maintaining the integrity of live-streamed tournaments requires rapid technological oversight to prevent information leaks during play. Future organizers will likely face increased pressure to implement stricter anti-cheat protocols to keep sponsors and professional teams engaged.
Further reading
For more on professional gaming regulations, visit the eSports section.
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