Faker (gamer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Faker
Faker in 2020
Current team
Team	T1
Game	League of Legends
Role	Mid
League	LCK
Personal information
Name	Hangul: 이상혁 (Lee Sang-hyeok)
Nickname(s)	Unkillable Demon King
Born	(1996-05-07) May 7, 1996 (age 29) Seoul, South Korea
Career information
Playing career	2013–present
Team history
2013–present	T1
Career highlights and awards
5× World champion (2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024) 2× Worlds MVP (2016, 2024) 2× MSI champion (2016, 2017) MSI MVP (2016) Esports World Cup champion (2024) Esports World Cup MVP (2024) 10× LCK champion 2× LCK Season MVP LCK Finals MVP 2× LCK Player of the Year (2023, 2024) 2× LCK Mid Laner of the Year (2023, 2024) 2× LCK First All-Pro Team 2× LCK Second All-Pro Team LCK Third All-Pro Team IEM champion (2016) Rift Rivals champion (2019) All-Star Invitational champion (2014) NLB champion (2014)
Medal record Esports Representing  South Korea Asian Games Gold 2022 Hangzhou League of Legends Silver 2018 Jakarta–Palembang League of Legends
Signature

Lee Sang-hyeok (Korean: 이상혁; born May 7, 1996), known as Faker, is a professional League of Legends player from South Korea. He plays for the team T1 as their mid-laner, which is a key position in the game. Faker is famous for winning many titles, including 10 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) championships, two Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) titles, and a record five World Championship titles. Many people think he is the best League of Legends player ever, often compared to basketball legend Michael Jordan for his success in esports.

Faker joined SK Telecom T1 (now T1) in 2013 and quickly became a top player. In his first year, he won both an LCK title and a World Championship. From 2014 to 2017, he won five more LCK titles, two MSI titles (in 2016 and 2017), and two more World Championships (in 2015 and 2016). He also won the All-Star Paris 2014 and the IEM World Championship in 2016. Between 2019 and 2022, Faker won four more LCK titles, becoming the first player to reach 10 total. He also won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games and a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games for South Korea.

Faker has won many individual awards. These include two World Championship MVP awards, an MSI MVP award, and several LCK MVP and Player of the Year awards. He holds many LCK records, such as being the first player to get 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 kills. He was also the first to get 5,000 assists and play 900 games in the LCK. Faker also holds the record for the most kills in World Championship matches. He was the first player to win 100 World Championship games. He has been named Best Esports Athlete at The Game Awards multiple times and was inducted into the ESL Hall of Fame. In May 2024, he was the first person chosen for the LoL Esports Hall of Legends.

Faker is one of the most well-known esports stars. He has appeared in many commercials and TV shows. In 2020, he became a part-owner and leader of T1 Entertainment & Sports. His yearly earnings were estimated to be around US$5 million in 2020.

Faker's Early Life

Faker was born in Seoul, South Korea, on May 7, 1996. He grew up with his grandparents and father, Lee Kyung-joon. His father said Faker was a quiet child who liked to learn things on his own. He enjoyed solving Rubik's cubes and learning new languages.

When he was younger, Faker didn't play many computer games. He liked arcade games like Tekken and King of Fighters. Later, he started playing PC games like Maplestory and Warcraft III.

In 2011, League of Legends came out in Korea. Faker quickly became very good at it. While he was in high school, he asked his father if he could leave school to become a professional esports player. His father agreed a month later.

Faker's Professional Career

Starting Strong in 2013

Faker after winning the 2013 World Championship

Faker started his pro career in 2013. He joined SK Telecom T1 2, which later became SK Telecom T1 K. He used the name GoJeonPa at first, but then changed it to Faker. He played as the mid-laner, a role that controls the middle part of the game map.

Faker's first professional game was on April 6, 2013. He quickly showed his skill by defeating a famous player named Kang "Ambition" Chan-yong. In his first tournament, he was one of the top players. In the next tournament, OGN Champions Korea 2013 Summer, his team reached the finals. Faker made a famous play where he turned a difficult situation around to defeat an opponent. This play helped his team win the tournament, which was Faker's first big title.

In Fall 2013, SKT T1 2 went to the League of Legends: Season 3 World Championship, known as Worlds. They had a great record of 15 wins and 3 losses. In the finals, they easily beat China's Royal Club, winning Faker his first World Championship.

Winning More International Titles (2014–2017)

In 2014, Faker won his second LCK title. His team, SKT, didn't lose a single game in the OGN Champions Winter 2013–2014 season. After a tough loss in the Spring 2014 playoffs, the team won All-Star Paris 2014. This event was a preview of the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI).

Later in 2014, SKT didn't qualify for the World Championship. This was a rare miss for Faker. After this, Riot Games changed rules, so SK Telecom merged its two teams into one, called SK Telecom T1.

Faker competing at the 2015 League of Legends World Championship

Faker celebrating after winning the 2015 World Championship

In 2015, Faker stayed with SK Telecom even though he got big offers from other teams. He sometimes shared his mid-lane role with another player, Lee "Easyhoon" Ji-hoon. Faker wasn't happy about sharing the role and wanted to play better. In the 2015 Mid-Season Invitational, SKT reached the finals but lost. Faker played a special character, LeBlanc, in the final game, but they still couldn't win.

In the 2015 LCK Summer Split, Faker played all three games in the finals and won his fourth LCK title. By this time, people started calling him the "Unkillable Demon King" and "God."

SKT went to the 2015 League of Legends World Championship with Faker as the main mid-laner. They only lost one game in the whole tournament, winning their second Worlds title. Faker became one of only two players to win Worlds twice. After winning, he famously ate a raw stalk of broccoli on stage!

Faker started 2016 by winning the IEM Season X World Championship. Then, he won the 2016 LCK Spring Split. This earned SKT a spot in the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational. SKT won the MSI championship, and Faker was named the MVP. On July 11, 2016, Faker became the first player in LCK history to get 1,000 kills.

SKT qualified for the 2016 World Championship and won their third title. Faker was named the MVP of the tournament again. By the end of 2016, Faker was widely seen as "the Michael Jordan of esports."

In 2017, Faker signed a new contract with SKT, which was called the "best contract in esports history." He won another LCK title in the Spring Split. At the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational, SKT won again, becoming the first team to win two MSIs in a row. However, in the LCK Summer Split, the team struggled. They lost in the LCK Summer Finals. SKT still made it to the 2017 League of Legends World Championship finals. Faker was the only player to reach four Worlds finals. But SKT lost the finals, which was Faker's first Worlds finals defeat. He was very sad after the loss.

Challenges and Comebacks (2018–2021)

After 2017, SKT changed some players, and Faker had a tough time in 2018. SKT didn't qualify for the 2018 World Championship. Faker was even benched for some games. SKT's struggles continued, and they didn't make the playoffs. Faker returned to the starting team for the Worlds qualifiers, but they still couldn't get a spot at Worlds.

Faker celebrating after winning the 2019 LCK Spring Finals

For the 2019 season, SKT made big changes but kept Faker. Faker and SKT won the 2019 LCK Spring Split, which was Faker's seventh LCK title. In May 2019, SKT went to the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational but lost in the semifinals. After MSI, SKT won the 2019 Rift Rivals event. Faker became the first player to win all major Riot-organized international tournaments.

In the 2019 LCK Summer Split, SKT started poorly, and Faker was benched for one game. But SKT came back and won the 2019 LCK Summer Split, giving Faker his eighth LCK title. At the 2019 World Championship, Faker became the first player to reach 100 international wins. However, SKT lost in the semifinals, which was the first time Faker was knocked out of Worlds before the finals.

After 2019, SK Telecom T1 changed its name to T1. In February 2020, Faker signed a new three-year contract and became a co-owner of T1 Entertainment and Sports. On March 5, 2020, Faker became the first player to get 2,000 kills in the LCK. He also played the most games in the LCK. Faker and T1 won the 2020 LCK Spring finals, his ninth LCK championship. However, in the Summer Split, Faker was often benched. T1 failed to qualify for the 2020 World Championship.

In the 2021 LCK Spring Split, Faker chose to take three weeks off because he felt he wasn't playing well. He returned on March 13, 2021, and helped his team win. T1 reached the Summer Split finals but lost. They still qualified for the 2021 World Championship. Faker was the most experienced player on the team at Worlds. T1 made it to the semifinals but lost.

Fourth and Fifth Worlds Titles (2022–Present)

Faker (center) celebrating after winning his 10th LCK title

Before the 2022 season, Faker's contract ended. He reportedly received a huge offer from a Chinese team, but he chose to stay with T1. In 2022, his 10th year as a pro, Faker reached new milestones. He became the first LCK player to get 2,500 kills and play 700 games. On February 18, 2022, he played his 1,000th professional game.

T1 had an amazing 2022 Spring Split, finishing with a perfect 18–0 record. This had never happened in LCK history! Faker was named to the LCK's first All-Pro team. T1 won the Spring Split playoffs, beating Gen.G in the finals. This was Faker's and T1's 10th LCK title.

At the 2022 Mid-Season Invitational, T1 reached the finals but lost. On July 8, Faker became the first player to win 500 games in the LCK. T1 reached the Summer Split finals but lost again. They qualified for the 2022 World Championship. Faker became the first player to play 100 games at Worlds and broke the record for most kills in Worlds history. T1 made it to the finals but lost a very close series.

Faker celebrating after winning the 2023 World Championship

In 2023, Faker set another LCK record for most career assists. On July 2, he had to take time off due to an arm injury. He was out for four weeks, and T1 struggled without him. Faker returned on August 2 and helped his team win. T1 reached the LCK Summer finals but lost.

However, T1 qualified for the 2023 World Championship, which was Faker's eighth time at Worlds. On November 19, 2023, Faker won his fourth Worlds title! T1 defeated Weibo Gaming in the finals. At 27 years old, Faker became the first person to win four World Championship titles and the oldest player to win one. He was also named Mid Laner of the Year and Player of the Year at the 2023 LCK Awards.

On February 1, 2024, Faker got his 600th win in the LCK, being the first player to do so. Two days later, he became the first LCK player to reach 3,000 kills. On April 7, 2024, Faker earned his 5,000th career assist in the LCK, another first. He also became the first player to win 100 games at the World Championship. On November 2, 2024, Faker won his fifth Worlds title and was named the Finals MVP for the second time. On the same day, he also became the first player to reach 500 kills on the Worlds stage.

National Team Career

Faker played for South Korea in the League of Legends event at the 2018 Asian Games. He felt more pressure than usual because many different people were watching. The South Korean team won a silver medal after losing to China in the finals.

Faker also played for South Korea at the 2022 Asian Games. He won a gold medal after South Korea beat Saudi Arabia, China, and Chinese Taipei. Faker was not able to play in some matches because he had flu symptoms. Because he won a gold medal, Faker received an exemption from mandatory military service in South Korea.

Faker's Legacy

Faker holding his Hall of Legends jersey in 2024

On May 22, 2024, Riot Games announced that Faker was the very first person to be inducted into their Hall of Legends. He was officially welcomed in a special ceremony in South Korea on June 6, 2024.

Seasons Overview

Awards and Honors

International

• Five-time Worlds champion – 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024
• Two-time Worlds MVP – 2016, 2024
• Two-time Mid-Season Invitational champion – 2016, 2017
• One-time Mid-Season Invitational Finals MVP – 2016
• One-time Esports World Cup champion – 2024
• One-time Esports World Cup MVP – 2024

Regional

• One-time Rift Rivals champion – 2019

LCK

• 10-time LCK champion – Summer 2013, Winter 2014, Spring 2015, Summer 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Summer 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2022
• Two-time LCK Season MVP – Summer 2013, Winter 2014
• One-time LCK Finals MVP – Summer 2015
• Two-time LCK Player of the Year – 2023, 2024
• Two-time LCK Mid Laner of the Year – 2023, 2024
• One-time LCK Most Improved Player – 2021
• One-time LCK Best Initiating Player – 2022
• Two-time OPGG Search King – 2023, 2024
• Two-time LCK First All-Pro Team – Spring 2022, Spring 2023
• Two-time LCK Second All-Pro Team – Summer 2022, Spring 2024
• One-time LCK Third All-Pro Team – Spring 2020

South Korea Esports

• Asian Games gold medal winner – 2022

KeSPA

• One-time KeSPA League of Legends Mid Player Award – 2013
• Two-time KeSPA League of Legends Best Player – 2015, 2016
• Two-time KeSPA League of Legends Popularity Award – 2015, 2016
• Two-time KeSPA League of Legends eSports Award of the Year – 2015, 2016

Halls of Fame

• LoL Esports Hall of Legends inductee – 2024
• Esports Hall of Fame – 2019
• Six-time Korea Esports Hall of Fame Esports Star – 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024

Media

• Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Entertainment & Sports – 2019
• Three-time The Game Awards Best Esports Athlete – 2017, 2023, 2024
• Two-time Esports Awards PC Player of the Year – 2023, 2024

Media Figure

Endorsements and Television

Faker is a well-known figure in advertising. Companies like Nike, Razer, Red Bull, and Creative Artists Agency have used his image to promote their products. In 2017, Faker was a model for a Philippines energy drink. Lotte Confectionery even made an ice cream named after him in 2020. Faker has also appeared in commercials with famous people, like footballer Son Heung-min. In 2023, Razer released a special "Faker Edition" mouse.

Faker has also been on TV shows. He appeared on the KBS2 talk show Hello Counselor in November 2018 and the esports talk show The Dreamer in July 2020.

Helping Others

After not playing in the 2018 World Championship, Faker decided to donate all the money he earned from his online streaming in October 2018 to the UN Foundation.

Faker has also helped with relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. In March 2020, he publicly donated ₩30 million (about US$25,000) to the Community Chest of Korea. In January 2022, he donated ₩50 million (about US$41,700) to a welfare fund in Seoul. His name was put on a wall of fame for his help during the pandemic. In August 2022, Faker donated ₩30 million to help victims of floods in South Korea.

Streaming Online

On February 6, 2017, Faker started his first livestream on Twitch. A huge number of people watched him, with 245,100 viewers at one point. This set a record for the most people watching one streamer on Twitch. However, in early 2018, another League of Legends streamer, Tyler1, broke Faker's record. Tyler1's stream quickly reached 300,000 viewers, causing Twitch's servers to slow down for a bit.

Legal Action

On July 19, 2022, Faker and his team, T1, took legal action against people who were making mean and harmful comments about Faker online. The lawsuit was based on a law in Korea that deals with public insults. T1's lawyers said the comments were very offensive. T1's CEO explained that the lawsuit was not about regular criticism, but about repeated comments that were threatening and harassing.

See also

In Spanish: Faker para niños