Notable League of Legends Star Faker Receives Death Threats; South Korean Authorities and LCK Respond Swiftly

Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, a prominent figure in the League of Legends community, recently faced death threats following one of his recent matches. The renowned player is a key member of the SKT T1 (T1) team, currently competing in this year's League of Legends Championship Korea (LCK) Summer League, where they successfully reached the Playoffs stage.

Faker, who joined SKT T1 in 2013 as a midlaner, quickly rose to fame due to his exceptional technical prowess and unwavering dedication, making him a household name among fans of League of Legends esports. SKT T1 boasts an impressive record, having secured 10 LCK championships and three world championships, with Faker often earning the title of MVP in various tournaments. The team's match against DRX during last year's League of Legends World Championship garnered over 5 million views, highlighting their immense popularity.

During the upper bracket semi-finals on August 10, SKT T1 faced off against the top-seeded team KT Rolster, emerging victorious. However, amid the celebratory posts from fans, an anonymous individual issued threats against Faker. The user, in a post on the South Korean online forum DC Inside, indicated intentions to harm Faker by breaking into SKT T1's dormitory and causing him physical harm. In response, SKT T1 swiftly assured fans that they were investigating the matter. Soon after, police vehicles were observed near the team's headquarters, and the LCK released a statement announcing heightened security measures for the duration of the tournament.

These threats against Faker occurred in the context of a series of recent mass stabbing incidents reported across South Korea. This prompted law enforcement to scrutinize social media posts, leading to the arrest of several individuals who had posted online threats. As of the latest update, South Korean authorities are actively tracking the IP address of the threatening post to identify and apprehend the responsible party. Regrettably, this isn't the first instance of such threats, as League of Legends personalities like Paulaeal have previously faced similar situations.

Twitter saw an outpouring of anger from League of Legends fans directed towards individuals who engage in unnecessary death threats against professional players. Many called for the protection of Faker and his teammates, especially given the concerning rise in stabbing incidents within South Korea. This protection might also extend to guarding against potential stalkers, considering that Faker occasionally streams on Twitch.

Looking ahead, SKT T1 and KT Rolster are set to face each other once again in the upcoming LCK lower bracket finals on August 19. The victor of this match will earn a place in the grand finals against Gen.G. Given that the initial death threat against Faker emerged after their match against KT Rolster, ensuring the safety of all players before and after the tournament becomes paramount. While League of Legends has been criticized for fostering a toxic competitive environment over the years, it's imperative that individuals refrain from resorting to threats against players, regardless of their professional status.