Faker: 'I am grateful to Chovy'

On December 18th, Faker and T1 held a rare press conference, giving the media a chance to directly discuss the life and career of one of South Korea's new icons. The "Demon King" spoke extensively about the difficulties he faced in his career, how he returned to peak form, and his future after retiring from professional play.

I chose T1 not just for the money.

What motivates you to continue challenging yourself until 2029 despite having already achieved so much? What keeps you committed to T1?

The biggest reason I renewed my contract for four years is that T1 offered good terms. I want to bring joy to the fans. Additionally, I feel I can still learn and grow even more as a professional gamer.

T1 has supported me a lot beyond just financial matters. Thanks to them, I've been able to continue playing as a player for a long time. I've never been to another team, so I'm not sure what their compensation is like. But I think T1 is offering me a good deal. The organization also has a reputation befitting a top-tier team.

Similar to the previous contract, I hope and aim to win four consecutive championships. However, putting winning or losing aside, my main goal is to maximize my potential.

Faker will be with T1 until at least 2029. Photo: Kukkinews.

Over the next four years at T1, what role do you want to play and what kind of teammate do you want to be?

One of the things I want to achieve in the remaining time is skill development. I think my gaming abilities still have areas for improvement. The question seems to relate to leadership skills. It's better now than before, but I still have many shortcomings. I'm trying even harder to work with my teammates to achieve good results next year.

I'm curious about what Faker will look like after 2029. Right now you're focused on your life as a professional player, but personally, do you have any dreams you'd like to fulfill?

My contract runs until 2029, and I'm curious about what life will be like after that. I don't have any plans after retirement. I feel that experiencing life and growing during my professional career has been very meaningful. I don't know what I'll do after 2029, but I think I'll continue in my own way.

Since my debut, I've only played for T1, so I think I'll spend my entire career here. League of Legends' history isn't very long, and no one knows the exact lifespan of a professional gamer's career. Because of this uncertainty, long-term contracts are still rare. But I think there will be more of them in the future.

Faker off the stage

You've been a professional gamer for a long time. If you weren't a gamer, what do you think you'd be doing? At 30, it might be a good age to start a family. When do you want to get married?

During my competitive gaming career, I had quite a few hobbies, but I usually couldn't stick with them for long. If I hadn't become a professional gamer, I probably would have done something pointless. However, I enjoy things that are strategic or computer-related, so I guess I would have worked in that field.

I haven't made any decisions about marriage yet. Getting married will probably be a significant event. But nothing is certain right now, so I'll focus on the present and think about it later. If I have children, I think a girl would be cuter.

Faker has no plans to start a family yet. Photo: Kukkinews.

Do you have any advice for Faker when he was 17 and just starting out as a professional gamer?

I probably don't have anything special to say. When he first started, I didn't expect a precise answer to what a gamer's life should be like. I just hoped he would experience everything as it was and learn as much as possible. I just encouraged myself to work hard.

Faker once told aspiring professional gamers that practice and hard work are important, but natural talent is also essential. Has that thinking changed now?

First, I want to say that "talent" isn't something you're born with. It includes exposure during childhood, combined with environmental factors. I think childhood passion is very important. Without early exposure to games, it's very difficult to become a professional gamer.

Talent is also born from passion. I still think that without that ability, it's impossible to become a professional gamer.

At the 2017 World Championship, you cried when you lost to Samsung Galaxy in the finals. Recently, after finishing second, you seem to feel less heartbroken. If you lose again in the future and experience such a disappointing defeat, will you cry again?

In 2017, I cried because I was so frustrated after losing 0-3. Now, it's not that I've stopped feeling regret, but I've redefined what defeat means.

Failure is not something to be angry about or resentful of, but rather a motivation to grow again. When I think about it, I used to wonder if my enthusiasm had cooled down. But I've learned that it's different. I think my enthusiasm now is the same as it was in the past.

Have you cried recently?

It may look like this, but sometimes when I watch movies or read books alone, I cry too (laughs).

Every time I interview Faker, I see a great desire for growth and development. But everyone has moments of stagnation. How did you overcome that phase in your career?

When I encounter a slowdown, I try to analyze the situation. How did this happen? Why did it stall? I dissect the shortcomings and think a lot. Through this process of analysis and letting go, I find what I need. If it's too much, I find a way to rest. I've learned about proper relaxation and meditation through books.

Grateful to Chovy, Gumayusi

What's the secret to maintaining that competitive spirit throughout your 13 years as a gamer? Who is the opponent you absolutely want to beat or find it exciting to compete against?

My passion seems to have been with me since I was a child. To say it "naturally" is an accurate description. That passion is like a blessing. Even now, I still want to win and play well. That's why I can continue to work hard.

Recently, player Chovy (Jeong Ji-hoon) has been in excellent form. It's very enjoyable to face him. Over the past year, Chovy has performed very well, helping me to grow, and I'm very grateful for that.

League of Legends is expected to receive a major update next season. What are your thoughts?

I used to dislike the frequent major game updates. But lately, I think they breathe new life into the game. Last year, team fights and coordinated teamwork were very important. Next year, I think the individual aspect might be emphasized more. While the outcome remains to be seen, these changes will bring a fresh perspective.

Why is T1 so strong in best-of-five matches? You advised Oner to pick Dr. Mundo, a champion he had never played before, in game 5 against AL. If they lost, they would be eliminated immediately. Weren't you stressed at that moment?

This World Championship wasn't smooth sailing. From the Play-in round onwards, I wasn't sure if I could win. Throughout the process, I consistently advanced to later rounds, but my performance wasn't perfect.

The reason for their strength in the best-of-five series was largely due to their extensive experience. Their teammates also adopted a "we have to try our best even if we lose" mentality rather than a "we can't afford to lose" attitude, allowing them to showcase their inherent skills. A bit of luck also played a part.

My decision to pick Dr. Mundo in the match against AL was based on my assessment of the situation. Instead of thinking about failure, I made the decision because it was the right one. I believe that in competition, you can't always win. So I try to focus on the process rather than the result.

Despite the difficulties, the 2025 World Championship was still a successful season for T1 and Faker. Photo: Riot.

Fans believe that T1's busy schedules outside of the tournament led to poor performance during the regular season, while their focus on competing at the World Championship resulted in explosive results. What does Faker think about this assessment?

I think that for professional gamers these days, it's not enough to just be good at playing games. There needs to be a compromise in this area. Maintaining performance is the top priority, but I won't neglect external activities or cultural promotion either. The schedule during the season isn't too demanding. The team's performance has already fluctuated. Next year, I will improve to do well in both competitive play and off-field activities.

When Gumayusi left, what were your last words to him?

What Gumayusi did for the team meant a lot. He played a major role in the team's good performance. Although I didn't thank him directly, I said, "You've worked hard," with that in mind.

Elon Musk proposed a match between an AI model and T1 on X. How did you feel about this proposal, and how has the situation progressed?

I have a positive view on the gaming industry receiving attention from AI and BigTech companies. I understand we'll be playing against Grok next year, and I'm personally very much looking forward to it. Chess has long been conquered by AI, and I think LOL will eventually be defeated by AI as well. But next year, we'll probably win. However, if AI ever defeats humans, that would also have its own meaning and excitement.

Source: https://znews.vn/faker-toi-biet-on-chovy-post1612755.html