In a latest interview with Fortune Korea, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok revealed his mindset on with the ability to grind for practically 13 years since his debut within the LCK.
The interview, which has been translated into English, goes into nice element on his professional journey, ideas on age mattering in esports, and what retains him so aggressive and sharp.
The 2018 turning level: questioning his future
The interview discusses a key second within the professional’s life: on the 2018 Worlds, he thought his talent was declining as a result of his age. At that second, he had gained his third World Championship, with 2013, 2015, and now 2018 being hallmark years for the veteran midlaner.
However the query was: are esports careers usually short-lived?
“Again then, the notion was very sturdy that careers in esports had been notably quick, and I felt like I couldn’t escape this pattern. Nonetheless, part of me puzzled: Is it actually proper to be pushed apart helplessly simply due to my age? Can’t I show that this doesn’t need to be the case? Can’t I simply hold going longer and proceed to show myself? From that second on, I educated even tougher.”
Faker’s huge accomplishments got here after his fearful years
Faker has since gone on to win three different World Championships, and with T1, is the back-to-back-to-back-to-back world champion. He additionally solely missed out on the 2022 World ultimate by ending second, dropping to long-time ADC rival Deft, who had been within the scene for practically so long as he had.
One of many hallmark moments of this journey of perseverance was in 2023. The participant notoriously had a wrist damage, the place the world was first launched to Poby as his alternative within the common break up. The professional got here again after a number of weeks, letting his wrist heal, and managed to claw a struggling T1 facet to the World ultimate {qualifications}, after which after all went on to win the occasion itself. That was one of many proudest moments of his complete profession.
The query is, can T1 and Faker do it once more this 12 months?
It’s Kkoma’s flip to take day without work, because the workforce has began just a little tough to date within the spring break up of the 2026 season. An enormous loss to the Telecom rivals KT, however a swift win towards former T1 ADC Gumayusi’s Hanwha Life places T1 in a spot the place they’re good, simply not constant.
Solely time will inform whether or not T1 is certainly cooked as many feared, regardless of the present non permanent head coach being there with them throughout their Hail Mary 2023 Worlds run.
Studying retains the GOAT sharp
The key to Faker’s willpower is that he managed to remain wholesome in a scene with sturdy burnout. He reads quite a bit to maintain his thoughts sharp and to get away from the sport. His studying ranges from many issues, however a few of the issues he likes are psychology. Explains quite a bit with the newest Worlds finals, the place he was capable of give his prime laner remedy classes mid-finals, regardless of how onerous he was getting diffed by Bin through the finals. If you happen to don’t know what I imply, examine this clip out from three months in the past.
For essentially the most half, it appears Faker’s magical method is working.
The participant stays a mastermind of the sport by the appears to be like of issues. And whereas he’s not the very best in his function, with youthful midlaners being extra star-studded within the present period of the sport, one can’t deny that his consistency makes him extraordinarily particular, given his age in esports and the accomplishments he’s made on the best way.
Faker has since change into a stamp in Korean mailing and was lately featured in a Goyard advert. The person has actually transcended by enjoying the sport he thought he was doomed to go away eight years in the past. Effectively carried out, my goat.
