In the lineup of T1, when it comes to the most famous and influential player, everyone would definitely mention Faker. He is also the most seasoned player currently competing in the LCK, and in every aspect, Faker excels. Of course, Faker is the visual centerpiece of T1, of the LCK, and represents the entire League of Legends community. However, this does not mean that Faker always outshines his younger teammates, especially when it comes to “fan service”.
Specifically, according to recent statistics on donations received from fans on the AfreecaTV platform, among the 5 players of T1, Faker ranks 3rd with a total donation amount of approximately 144k won (around 2.6 billion VND). This figure is significantly lower than that of his two younger peers, Oner (ranking 1st with about 203k won) and Zeus (around 201k won). Notably, a player who often makes “heartwarming” statements and is very active in streaming, considered a potential visual at T1 after Faker’s departure, Gumayusi, received the least donations (only about 121k won).
Explaining this figure, many fans pointed out that Faker does not often engage in “donation baiting” or overly friendly interactions with fans. This is also seen as a form of “fan service” for players when they go live. After all, the image Faker has built has always leaned towards seriousness and professionalism. Except for playing Jump King, getting angry when encountering game-breaking bugs, or rare moments of humor, Faker has never shown that he can engage in playful acts or skillfully pull in donations like his colleagues or younger peers.
Meanwhile, Zeus and Oner frequently livestream and actively interact with fans. As one straightforward opinion states: “Many viewers, of course, prefer watching players who engage in ‘donation baiting’ rather than just thanking fans throughout the session.”
However, the professionalism and seriousness do create a distinctive characteristic of Faker. And T1 fans might find it hard to accept if one day, Faker resorts to tricks to “donation bait” like some of his colleagues have applied.