Faker Set to Achieve 1,000th Game Milestone in LCK

SEOUL, South Korea — E-sports icon Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok, renowned for his unparalleled skills in League of Legends, is set to reach a remarkable milestone by playing his 1,000th game in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). This significant event will occur during a match against KT Rolster, a team that has been a longtime rival, on the eve of Thursday, January 18, 2025.

Faker’s journey to this milestone does not come without its hurdles. Initially, he was expected to reach the 1,000-game mark earlier this year during the LCK Cup. However, due to league stipulations, matches played in that tournament did not count toward his overall tally, pushing the milestone back to the regular season.

The upcoming game also holds historical significance as it is set to rekindle the intense rivalry between Faker’s SK Telecom T1 and KT Rolster, a series celebrated by fans as the Telecom Wars.

Since his professional debut in 2013, Faker has consistently showcased extraordinary talent, beginning his career while playing in a secondary team, SK Telecom T1 K. In his first match, he faced off against Kang ‘Ambition’ Chan-yong from CJ Blaze and dominated the competition. Viewers were left stunned by his performance, with former caster Christopher ‘MonteCristo’ Mykles commenting, “I’ve never seen Ambition die like that.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Faker has produced numerous memorable plays, including his unique feat of achieving a pentakill against NaJin Sword, a stark rarity in professional play. With one of his signature champions, he executed a flawless maneuver that secured his team’s victory.

Faker’s popularity was further solidified by his use of unexpected champions such as Riven, which, although considered marginal for competitive play, he played expertly against KT Rolster’s Kim ‘Nagne’ Sang-moon. His quick reflexes enabled him to evade a critical attack and turn the tide in favor of his team.

Despite his iconic association with Ryze, it is Azir that has often defined his professional image during the past decade. His skillful execution of “Shurima Shuffles” has left an indelible mark in international competitions, particularly during his gameplay at Worlds 2023.

No account of Faker’s career would be complete without mentioning his legendary duel against KT Rolster’s Ryu ‘Ryu’ Sang-wook in the OGN era. Both players chose Zed for a high-stakes match, and Faker’s adept play under pressure solidified his status as one of the best mid-laners in the world.

The Telecom Wars in the LCK 2017 Spring Split epitomized the fierce rivalry between SKT T1 and KT Rolster. During a critical match featuring then-2022 world champion Kim ‘Deft’ Hyuk-kyu, SKT T1 found themselves in a precarious position but managed to mount a stunning comeback, illustrating the high stakes and drama of their encounters.

Davide Xu, a freelance writer for ESI with a background in finance and a passion for competitive gaming, notes, “Faker has not just shaped his team but the entire landscape of League of Legends esports.” As Faker prepares for this landmark game, fans around the world eagerly anticipate witnessing his historic achievement.