When it comes to Faker, any praise at this point feels excessive. As a legendary player in the LCK and the League of Legends scene in general, Faker’s career is closely tied to the highs and lows of the game. Not only is he the “record king” of League of Legends, but he is also one of the most respected players by fans, experts, and fellow players worldwide, including his competitors throughout his career.
Moreover, recently, according to T1 CEO Joe Marsh, it was revealed that Faker is also a wealthy individual, owning a building named after him in Gangnam, a prestigious area in Seoul, South Korea. Additionally, the T1 CEO admitted that Faker no longer competes for money; instead, he dedicates all his efforts to conquering titles.
Having achieved everything an Esports player could dream of, Faker remains loyal to a frugal lifestyle, only investing in what he deems reasonable. This is why stories about Faker’s simple living circulate, including the fact that he almost never spends money on the fancy skins in League of Legends, even though some may be honorary skins celebrating him after each World Championship.
Recently, in an interview with HP Asia, Faker stated: “I enjoy playing games because I think they are quite balanced. When playing games, everyone starts from the same economic point. And everyone will strive to get ahead of others. I am a type of gamer who rarely spends money on games. Isn’t the purpose of playing games just to have fun? If you win by spending a lot of money in a game, what’s the point?”
Having experienced all the ups and downs with his favorite game, League of Legends, Faker likely understands best the emotions that a game can bring when you invest all your feelings and thoughts into it. The feelings when playing games, especially in the MOBA genre like League of Legends—where players win through skill and teamwork—are certainly something “pay to win” games cannot offer.
However, everyone has their own gaming preferences, and Faker does not condemn spending money to acquire good items or equipment while gaming. And of course, anyone who has ever spent money on a game will understand that even in “pay to win” games, players still need certain skills to achieve victory.