FAKER'S HUMANITY AS REAL AS IT GETS

In The Spotlight

- Andy Ng Correspondent

In the electrifying roar of nearly 40,000 fans in Chengdu on Nov 9, South Korean e-sports titans T1 clinched their third straight League of Legends World Championship, edging out KT Rolster in a relentless final that stretched over three hours.

The victory marked the team's sixth overall title in their eighth world championship final appearance, a feat that cemented their dominance in the game's premier tournament.

At the heart of this triumph stood Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as “Faker” — the 29-year-old mid laner whose unyielding precision has defined an era.

But as confetti rained down and fans erupted in cheers, Faker’s post-match words cut through the hype: “I simply focused on the game as a professional player. I’m just grateful that victory followed as a result.”

This quiet gratitude from a man often dubbed the “Unkillable Demon King” or simply “god” by his fans reveals more about his character than any highlight reel.

While the win adds another layer to his record six championships, Faker’s story transcends trophies.

It is one of resilience, introspection and a grounded humility that has elevated him from gaming prodigy to a cultural phenomenon rivaling K-pop royalty.

Born on May 7, 1996, in Seoul’s Gangseo district, Faker grew up in modest circumstances. He was raised primarily by his carpenter father Kyung-joon and his grandparents after his parents' divorce.

An introverted child, he spent his time challenging himself with the Rubik’s Cube and also independently learnt foreign languages - though it has not been disclosed what other languages he understands.

Life was financially tough in an underprivileged family, but he shared a deep bond with his dad.

The elder Lee remembers the day Faker approached him about becoming a professional gamer during a dinner conversation.