Faker the only esports player on Forbes 2019 Asia 30 Under 30 list
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok was recently named 30 Under 30 in Forbes Asia 2019 list.
Named among athletes, musicians, and artists, Faker was the only esports player on Forbes “entertainment and sports” category.
“Nicknamed god of computer game ‘League of Legends,’ Faker is generally regarded in the gaming community as the greatest LoL player of all time,” reads the
official
description.
The listing goes on to list the 22-year-old gamer’s accomplishments, which include leading SK Telecom T1 to three World Championships and receiving the 2018 David Yan award for “most beloved gamer.”
Faker’s name was first popularized in 2012, when Riot released League of Legends in Korea. He entertained League fans when he dominated with Syndra, a champion who had a win-rate lower than 30 percent in those earlier days. In fact, he was winning so many games at such a fast pace that matchmaking began to take too long for him. That’s when Faker moved to ranked games.
SK Telecom T1 soon approached Faker, asking him to join their sister team SK T1 K. Playing with three-time World Champion Bae “Bengi” Seong-woong and Cloud9’s Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong, the team soon came to dominate the scene.
Their first opponent at OLYMPUS Champions Spring 2013 was CJ Entus Blaze. They were known as the strongest team in the LCK at the time, but Faker easily shattered people’s predictions for the match. Faker’s team continued to win throughout the year, going on to win the World Championship title.
Faker has continued to be popular throughout his seven-year career thanks to consistently positive results and skilled gameplay. There have been a few ups and downs along the way, but nothing big enough to affect Faker’s confidence or his popularity.
Faker’s estimated net worth is $4 million. Faker’s most recent contract with SK Telecom T1 was rumored to be worth $2.5 million. He also has earned more than $1 million in prize winnings throughout his programming career.
Olivia Richman
About Olivia Richman
Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.
View full profile
Read Also
Esports Betting
Cloud9 vs LYON LCS Summer Playoffs Upper Bracket: Best Bets and Predictions
Ben Boland
It’s a great time to be a League of Legends esports bettor with the LCS Summer playoffs heating up. We have Cloud9 looking to slay their playoff demons against LYON, a side that is looking to win their third straight championship. With LYON picking Cloud9 as their opponent, perhaps they are extremely confident they will get the job done, or are they underestimating the boys in blue? Stay tuned as ...
League of Legends
Team Liquid vs FlyQuest: Predictions & Best Bets for the LCS Summer Playoffs
Ben Boland
With the LCS Summer Playoffs heating up, Team Liquid is looking to make history with a surprise win over FlyQuest this weekend. It would mean TL would be competing at Worlds 2026 on home soil for the first time in the organisation's history. For FlyQuest, this is a chance to progress ahead of schedule with their young squad, getting some valuable reps on the biggest stage esports has to offer. ...
Esports Betting
Gen.G vs HLE: Best betting odds and picks for LCK 2026 grand final
Hannan Mundia
The 2026 LCK grand final will see HLE challenge Gen.G to determine which team walks away with the first-place prize, giving the winning team a much-needed confidence boost before the World Championship. After every top professional Korean League of Legends team has poured sweat and time, this year’s LCK split is finally about to conclude. The grand final match will be between the powerhouse team Gen.G and the challenging Hanwha ...
Esports Betting
Here Are My Predictions For The Hanwha Life Esports vs T1 LCK Lower Final
Ben Boland
LCK fans are in for a treat as Hanwha Life Esports and T1 both battle for a ticket to the grand final, where Gen.G awaits. The last time these two met, they tore the house down. I expect more of the same this time in the lower final. Here are the best bets to make on HLE vs T1 in the LCK 2026 Summer Playoffs Lower Final at GG.BET, one ...
League of Legends
Riot Games eyes Polymarket and Kalshi for esports sponsorships
Michael Hassall
Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends and VALORANT is reportedly exploring the protentional of sponsorship deals with prediction market operators including Polymarket and Kalshi, as per reports emerging late last night (Sep. 10). First reported by Cecilia D’Anastasio of Bloomberg, Riot has started conversations with the two top prediction market operators, Kalshi and Polymarket, with a view to one or both of them becoming sponsors within Riot Games’ ...
Esports Betting
HLE vs T1: Best Betting Odds and Picks for LCK 2026 Playoffs
Hannan Mundia
HLE and T1 will duke it out in the 2026 LCK Playoffs lower bracket final, but which team has a better chance of facing Gen.G in the grand final? This year’s LCK season has been filled with ups and downs. In particular, the top three teams have constantly struggled against each other, but Gen.G managed to get ahead of the fray in the end. Now, HLE and T1 will face ...
Esports Betting
Bet Tips and Predictions For Team Vitality vs MKOI LEC Summer Playoffs
Ben Boland
The LEC playoffs are well underway, and we have Team Vitality taking on MKOI in a do-or-die series. Lose here, and your chances of qualifying for Worlds 2026 go up in smoke. With Vitality getting dismantled by G2 Esports in their opening series, it begs the question whether it was just the G2 playoffs magic, or Vitality are not the team we thought they were. Let’s take a look at ...
