In South Korea, League of Legends is an integral part of the culture and is deeply integrated into daily life: even on television. In a Korean TV show, a young LoL player was able to meet his idol Faker in 2021. His dying father had made this wish possible. Faker gave the boy a reality check. But three years later, the story now has a special ending. Because the young man is attending a professional LoL school.
What a meeting that was!
- The TV show was called “About Time.” The episode with Faker aired in 2021.
- A father was seriously ill with cancer and bought a meeting for his son with his idol Faker, the legendary LoL player, for about €4,000. The boy’s biggest dream was to become a LoL professional.
- Faker, usually cool, was moved by the father’s story. But the living legend was tough with the aspiring professional himself.
In a TV show, Faker is moved to tears
What the father said: There were heartbreaking scenes back then. The man said his son was currently in the seventh grade and dreamed of becoming a LoL professional. He was his only child. He himself didn’t have much time left, as he had been diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer that couldn’t be treated anymore.
He had been in treatment for two years, and his son had supported him during this difficult time when he was desperate. He could only hold on because he thought of his only son.
The father said he had applied to the show so that his son could see his favorite player, Faker, once.
Faker was moved by the story at that time and had to wipe away tears.
Faker takes all illusions away from the boy
This is what Faker said to the boy: Faker spoke with the boy during the meeting (via YouTube). However, he showed concern: Because the boy was just a “Diamond” player at that time; by that age, he should have already been a Master, as Faker thought.
He warned him: Some would leave school early to become professionals but failed to make the jump from Master to Grandmaster. Dreams are good and nice. But reality is harsh; many talented players fail on the way to becoming professionals, so one must be honest and cautious.
Faker urged the rather intimidated disciple to set high goals if he wanted to become a professional player. He was also better than many of his classmates at that time but far from good enough to become a professional because he considered LoL just a hobby.
“It is easier to lead a camel through the eye of a needle than to become a professional,” said Faker.
Faker gave the boy some tips for the road, even played a one-on-one against him, and in the end, there were autographs.
The meeting was a mix of “reality check” and “I get to meet my idol” for the boy.
The boy is preparing professionally for a career as a LoL professional
Here’s how the story continued: On South Korean breakfast television, there was now a reunion with the boy from back then three years later (via YouTube).
He has since found his place at a LoL academy and is working hard to become a LoL professional.
His coach confirms that he has the potential to become a professional: He could make his debut in a professional LCK team in 2024 or 2025 if he continues to develop this well, it was said.
However, he doesn’t have an easy time at the LoL academy: As one of the teachers there says, students are expected to play LoL for 8 hours a day – even on weekdays. The students train rigorously under the supervision of former professionals and prepare for their careers.
But they also emphasize that overall development is important to instill the necessary professionalism in them. Above all, they want to teach the boys a good attitude.
How is the boy doing? The most important point of contact for the boy seems to be his mother, who supports him in his endeavor to become a professional. Nowadays, there are many professional players, the mother says. Therefore, she is okay with her son “only playing video games.”
To Faker, the boy says: It is still his dream to become a professional and to see Faker again, this time as a player himself. He has just one request for Faker: He needs to keep playing for a while longer until he is ready.
Faker is still the greatest for him.
What’s behind it: The story that moves so many LoL fans right now and that many take as proof of what a fine guy Faker is, also shows how differently LoL is perceived in South Korea compared to e-sports here in Germany: There, LoL is truly an integral part of the culture, with game shows, e-sports academies, breakfast television, and personality stars.
Even a presenter said on breakfast television that after the segment and the look at the LoL academy, it became clear to her how huge e-sports and gaming have become in South Korea.
For mothers, “My son will become a LoL professional” is even a realistic career option.
Faker is now considered a national treasure in his home country. He is even more revered in South Korea since his victory at the Asian Games:
