October 31, 2024 | Luckshots Esports Desk
South Korea’s Lee Sang-hyeok, known globally by his gaming alias Faker, has become one of the most iconic figures in esports history. At 28, he has achieved the extraordinary, earning the title of “national treasure” alongside prominent South Korean figures like football star Son Heung-min and K-pop giants BTS.
Earning an estimated 10 billion won ($7.2 million) annually, Faker is the most recognizable name in professional gaming, known as much for his achievements in League of Legends (LoL) as for his influence on esports culture worldwide. His journey continues as he aims to secure a fifth LoL world title when his team, T1, faces off against China’s Bilibili Gaming in London this Saturday.
The Unlikely Path to Stardom
Faker’s life didn’t start with visions of esports stardom. Reflecting on his past, Lee once admitted, “I just wanted to go to university like any normal kid and make good money.” But that changed in 2011 when, as a high school student, he tried LoL, a multiplayer online battle game that would ultimately reshape his life.
Recognizing his talent, South Korea’s esports team SK Telecom (now T1) signed him within months. Faker soon became a pioneering figure in esports, helping drive LoL beyond teenage gamers’ bedrooms and into mainstream sports.
Rising to Become an Icon
As a professional, Faker has claimed every international LoL title, setting standards and capturing global attention. According to Belgian gamer and television personality Eefje Depoortere, “League of Legends, esports, and Faker—they needed each other. There was a platform, and he became its icon.”
Yet, his journey has had its setbacks. After securing world championships in 2015 and 2016, his winning streak ended in 2017, a loss that deeply affected him. For many fans, the image of Faker, head down and shaking with tears, is unforgettable. Faker later reflected on that moment, saying, “In the beginning, I struggled with the pressure, but these days I try to overcome it on my own.”
In 2023, Faker achieved a career milestone, winning the world championship on home soil in Seoul, with a massive audience and tens of thousands of fans gathering in the capital to cheer him on.
Esports Pioneer and Role Model
As one of esports’ few players to earn military exemption by winning gold at the Asian Games, Faker has shown the world that esports can be a professional path. Despite lucrative offers from China, some as high as $20 million a year, Faker chose to stay with T1, committed to representing his home country.
His influence has inspired countless young South Koreans to pursue esports careers, convincing many parents that gaming is a legitimate profession. In May, a “Faker Temple” pop-up in Seoul drew thousands of fans who waited for hours to view images and highlights of his greatest moments.
A saying in South Korea captures Faker’s legendary status: “Not everybody knows League of Legends, but everyone knows Faker.”
Stay tuned to Luckshots for more updates on Faker’s journey and the thrilling world of esports.