On the afternoon of January 2, Faker was personally awarded the Cheongnyong Medal of the Order of Sport Merit by the President of South Korea. The honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to promoting Korean esports on the global stage. The Cheongnyong Class is the highest level of this decoration, and Faker has become the first esports player in Korean history to receive it.
With this award, Faker now truly stands shoulder to shoulder with two legendary Korean athletes who are widely regarded as national icons: figure skating queen Kim Yuna and football superstar Son Heung-min. While Faker had long been mentioned among Korea’s symbolic “national treasures,” the receipt of this official state honor effectively ends any debate about his status.
The significance of this recognition extends beyond Faker himself. His award marks a major step forward for esports in South Korea, elevating both the industry as a whole and League of Legends in particular to an unprecedented level of social and cultural recognition. The Order of Sport Merit is rarely bestowed, and the number of athletes who have received it at the Cheongnyong level is extremely limited. Alongside Faker, Kim Yuna, and Son Heung-min, only two other athletes baseball legend Park Chan-ho and golf icon Park Seri have ever received this highest class of the honor.
This achievement also redefines Faker’s influence and legacy. Already considered peerless within League of Legends, both in the LCK and worldwide, his recognition by the state places him in a completely different category, extending his impact far beyond esports.
Looking ahead, Faker’s influence may continue to grow even further. He renewed his contract with T1 through 2029, meaning he still has several competitive years ahead of him. With time, achievements, and visibility still on his side, Faker has every opportunity to further elevate his status not only within esports, but as one of South Korea’s most influential sporting figures of all time.
Sources: GameK