In a troubling development, T1’s iconic League of Legends player, Lee “Faker” Sang-Hyeok, finds himself the one in dire need of protection after alarming death threats were made against him.
Local Seoul police swiftly responded, and a visible police presence was observed outside the T1 headquarters, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
According to Yonhap News, on the night of August 10, a chilling threat surfaced online. An unnamed user from Korean forum, DC Inside, explicitly stated their intention to enter the T1 dormitory, where Faker frequently resides, and “harm him with a weapon.” This online post gained immediate attention, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to flag and act on it. With ongoing investigations, the police are leveraging IP address tracking to zero in on the perpetrator, vowing to make an arrest once the individual is identified.
지금 기사 때문인진 모르겠는데 경찰차랑 안에 경찰관분들 대기하고 계시네용 ㅠㅠㅠ pic.twitter.com/r2zQTvxscJ
— 호량 (@horrang_dan) August 11, 2023
This incident shook the entire T1 organization and the rest of the competitive scene. In an official statement, T1 claims the threats are “disgraceful.” Their primary concern, understandably, is the safety of their players, especially with the LCK playoffs on the horizon. Reinforcing their commitment to player safety, the team’s spokesperson, as quoted by Naver, stated, “We are actively investigating and responding with a very high priority.”
The larger competitive community, LCK, echoed these sentiments. In a subsequent statement, LCK pledged to fortify security measures around LoL Park for the rest of the season, especially leading up to Worlds 2023. This tightening of security follows an unsettling pattern of recent violent incidents and threats, adding urgency to the LCK’s actions. One only has to recall the unnerving surge of stabbing incidents across South Korea to understand this emphasis on security.
In the backdrop of this alarming incident, Faker and T1 are poised for their next challenge in the LCK playoffs. Their next match against KT Rolster clash holds immense significance, determining who inches closer to qualifying for this year’s Worlds tournament. Faker, already a legend in League of Legends, made a commendable comeback following an arm injury, which sidelined him for a substantial part of the regular season’s last month.
The threats, disturbing as they are, appear to be a part of a wider, more concerning trend. South Korea has witnessed a spike in online threats, some specifying times and locations for assaults. Such threats have escalated into actual violent incidents, as evidenced by recent stabbing attacks across various cities.
For Faker, who has dedicated years to mastering the League of Legends and building a legacy, such threats are not only personal but strike at the heart of the esports community. As he, along with T1, prepares for the upper bracket final on August 12, it’s clear that the stakes are high, both inside and outside the game.
As investigations continue, fans globally unite in their support for Faker and hope for a safe environment where talent thrives, uninterrupted by such unnerving incidents.
