In League of Legends a crucial match for the future of some top players was held this morning. Star players like Faker, Ruler, or Chovy are likely to avoid mandatory military service in South Korea, which would mean the end of their careers. But a victory against China in the semi-finals of the Asia Games was now a pre-decision.
Why was Faker threatened with the end of his career?
- In South Korea, all able-bodied men must serve for two years in the military. There are almost no exceptions, even millionaires and successful musicians like the guys from the K-Pop band BTS must interrupt their careers and complete their service.
- The military service lasts about 2 years. For professional e-sport players in South Korea, conscription practically means the end of their careers. This happened to Khan, a former teammate of Faker, in 2021: He could no longer postpone his service and had to end his career early at the age of 26.
- Faker is 27 and will turn 28 in May 2024 – thus, the career of the perhaps greatest LoL player would be over.
Whoever wins gold for South Korea is exempt from military service
This is his chance: Currently, the Asia Games are being held in China. In South Korea, there is a special regulation that athletes and classical musicians who enhance South Korea’s prestige can be exempted from military service.
Since football players have already been exempted from military service after winning gold at the Asia Games, it is assumed that e-sport players can also evade military service if they win gold at the Asia Games.
And at the Asia Games, LoL will play for gold for the first time.
South Korea beats China at the Asia Games, now clearly favorites for gold
Will Faker win gold? The LoL team from South Korea is exceptionally strong: They are competing with half the team from T1 and adding Zeus, Keria, and Faker to the 3 exceptional talents Chovy, Ruler, and Kanavi:
- Ruler and Kanavi are both South Korean legionnaires playing for China’s best team, JD Gaming.
- Chovy (22) is considered a possible successor to Faker, as the best mid-laner and LoL player in the world.
The only remotely serious competitor for South Korea was China, who displayed stars like jackeylove and knight.
South Korea and China faced each other this morning in the semi-finals, and South Korea managed to beat China 2-0.
Faker didn’t even have to play; instead, “our lord and savior” Chovy shone in the mid-lane.
LoL analyst Caedrel commented dryly on Twitter: Faker is about to just show up, play a game against Kazakhstan, win gold, grab the exemption from military service, and then fly home to the Worlds.
What happens next: If South Korea wins the final against the team “TPE” (in principle: Taiwan) tomorrow, the stars of South Korea should be exempt from military service.
Besides Faker, that would also affect his old rival, bot-laner Ruller, who is 24.
More on the topic:
Fans of BTS find it totally unfair that LoL stars like Faker are treated better than their favorites
