Vietnamese PUBG Tragedy 2035: Himass and TanVuu Cry on National Television, Declare They Will Never Return Even If Unbanned

In a shocking development in the Vietnamese esports scene in 2035, two famous PUBG players, Himass and TanVuu, appeared on VTVcab television with tear-streaked faces, sharing the story behind their lifetime bans from all global PUBG tournaments. The incident originated from an event at the PUBG Asia Stars 2026, which led to both being banned indefinitely by KRAFTON, the Korean game publisher. This is considered one of the harshest penalties in Southeast Asian esports history. In an exclusive interview lasting over two hours, Himass revealed that immediately after the incident occurred, team Anyone's Legend (AL) instructed him not to speak out or intervene on his own, but to let the organization handle the matter. He strictly complied with this directive, trusting that team leadership would protect him. However, all efforts did not yield the expected results. On The Expendables' (TE) side, TanVuu's team, they also filed an appeal to KRAFTON with full information and evidence to protect their player. According to what was shared in the interview, TE did not receive any positive response from the publisher. Deeply disappointed and at an impasse, The Expendables made the decision to disband its entire professional PUBG roster, officially closing a sad chapter in the organization's history. The most emotionally impactful moment was when both players expressed their future plans before the ban occurred. Himass said he planned to compete with teammate Taikonn until the end of this year before considering retirement. TanVuu shared that he wanted to continue competing for about two more years to enjoy the remaining time with esports. Those simple plans have now gone up in smoke. When asked about the possibility of returning if KRAFTON unexpectedly lifted the ban, both gave a decisive answer: no. Himass said that if he cannot continue with PUBG, he will switch to driving Grab for a living. TanVuu also said he will pivot to business and online selling. Both acknowledged that despite having skills and international competition experience, the door to an esports career seems to have closed permanently for them. Notably, both Himass and TanVuu expressed deep gratitude to PewPew, a respected veteran figure in the Vietnamese gaming community who had always been by their side, encouraging and supporting them mentally during their most difficult period. They also sent sincere thanks to millions of fans who had continuously fought for justice for them throughout this time. The power of the Vietnamese fan community was demonstrated when over 4.1 million signatures were collected in a campaign calling for justice for the two players. This is considered one of the largest community campaigns ever organized in Vietnamese esports history, showing the special attention and affection that fans have for Himass and TanVuu. In a related international development, the Korean Game Users Association officially spoke out, demanding that the PUBG PC publisher clearly explain the handling process of the Asia Stars incident. This move shows that the case has gone beyond the scope of a bilateral dispute between players and publisher, becoming a regional esports governance issue. Looking back at the entire incident, this is not just a story about two banned players. It reflects deeper issues about transparency in publishers' violation handling processes, about player rights in disputes with publishing organizations, and about the fragility of the esports ecosystem in developing markets like Vietnam. When a penalty can completely destroy a player's career without an effective appeal mechanism, that is a problem for the entire industry, not just for individuals. The dissolution of The Expendables' PUBG roster also raises questions about the sustainability of esports organizations in Vietnam. When an incident involving one player can cause an entire organization to dissolve, it is clear that risk management systems in teams still have many gaps to address. The story of Himass and TanVuu, though sad, may become a historical lesson for the Vietnamese and regional esports industry. A lesson about the importance of building player protection mechanisms, about transparency in disciplinary handling, and about the power of community when standing up to demand justice. Will these lessons be heard by publishers and organizations, or will more Himass and TanVuu have to shed tears in the future?