League of Legends Faker turns into first esports athlete to seem on Korean postage stamps

There are few esports athletes as dominant as Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok. The League of Legends professional has received extra World Championships than most gamers have had sizzling dinners, and his longevity proves he is no one-hit marvel. The inaugural inductee to the esport’s Corridor of Legends, Faker has collected myriad accolades over his 13-year profession. He is by no means been immortalized on a stamp, although. Till now.

Sure, you learn that proper. Faker’s native South Korea has revealed that it’ll honor him with a commemorative postage stamp in October 2026. Prior to now, the stamps have largely celebrated historic figures or nationwide occasions. Whereas there is a 20-day interval the place the general public can object to a brand new stamp being issued, it appears unlikely that anybody shall be bothered by this, as Faker is beloved by League of Legends followers throughout the globe and has transcended from a gaming icon to a cultural phenomenon in his residence nation.

Faker’s journey with Riot’s MOBA began in 2013. In his very first match, Faker picked up 36% of SKT’s kills alone, accruing a tally of 133 throughout the 20 matches. SKT positioned a decent third in that match, however Faker had already made his mark. He adopted this up along with his first match win months later in Champions 13 Summer time, adopted by taking residence the World Championship in October 2013. and from there his reign of domination has been unparalleled.

The ‘Unkillable Demon King’ has received six World Championships and numerous different S-tier tournaments over his profession, and totally deserves to be the primary esports participant celebrated on a stamp in Korea.

The stamps have beforehand featured the nation’s Presidents, Korean independence activists like Yu Gwan-sun, Olympic athletes, and even the Pope. However Korean stamps have by no means featured an esports athlete earlier than. If there’s anybody to begin with, it is the best of all time.

Whereas it could appear insignificant in comparison with Faker’s different achievements – lifting the World’s trophy on six separate events can try this to a person – that is arguably Faker’s most spectacular feat. To be listed alongside the nation’s most iconic and vital historic figures isn’t any imply feat, and exhibits that he has transcended esports to grow to be a celebrated determine for a a lot wider viewers.

This comes after he was not too long ago awarded the Blue Dragon Medal, the very best rank of the Order of Benefit for sportspeople in Korea. With LCK properly beneath method and MSI and the Esports World Cup going down earlier than the stamp is launched, and the World Championship 2026 occurring across the similar time, Faker shall be hoping the little postage honor shall be a fortunate appeal to see him take residence an unprecedented fourth back-to-back Worlds title.

If I’ve realized something from gathering Pokemon playing cards, the stamp is bound to grow to be a collector’s merchandise in its personal proper when it is launched. If Faker can proceed to dominate League of Legends esports alongside its launch, then its worth will solely skyrocket additional.