"Playing against Chovy motivates me to keep improving," Faker on his T1 re-signature

Six-time World Champion Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok has spoken publicly for the first time about his four-year contract extension with T1, sharing insight into what motivated him to stay with the organization through 2029.

The midlaner, fresh off a third consecutive World Championship title, attended a press conference at LoL Park in Seoul on December 18 to discuss his long-term commitment to the only organization he’s ever played for. “T1 made a very good offer, which was a big part,” Faker said. “Personally, over the next four years, I want to give even greater inspiration to my fans through my professional career.”

He admitted that even after more than a decade of competing, his motivation remains strong. “I still feel there are many things I can learn and improve as a pro player,” he explained. “I believe I can continue to develop and grow through this career.”

As first reported in July, Faker’s extension came as a surprise in the midst of an eventful 2025 season. Having just ended Gen.G’s record-breaking 27-game win streak and finishing as MSI 2025 finalists, T1 took the opportunity to lock in their cornerstone player once again. Now 29 years old, Faker will be 33 by the time the deal expires — a remarkable age in a region where most players retire several years earlier.

Thanks to his 2022 Asian Games gold medal, Faker is exempt from South Korea’s mandatory military service, allowing him to prolong his career uninterrupted. The rest of T1’s roster, however, doesn’t share the same stability: toplaner Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon and AD carry Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong are signed through 2025, while Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok remain under contract until 2026.

When asked about remaining with T1 for nearly 15 years — ever since joining SK Telecom T1 in 2015 — Faker stressed that his decision went beyond financial terms. “When I said T1 made a great offer, I meant not only financially but also in other important ways,” he said. “From the moment I joined until now, T1 has always provided great treatment and has lived up to its reputation as the best team.”

As for thoughts on his post-retirement life, the veteran admitted he hasn’t planned that far ahead. “I’m curious about what life will look like after 2029. I don’t have a clear path yet,” Faker shared. “But throughout my career, I’ve gained so many valuable experiences. My personal growth has been very meaningful. Whatever choices I make next, I hope they’ll lead to experiences that are worth remembering.”

During the same press conference, Faker has been asked whether there was a player he considered a rival, one name immediately came to mind. “Recently, I’ve really enjoyed playing against Chovy,” Faker revealed. “It was fun from the start, but lately he’s been performing exceptionally well, which motivates me to keep improving.”

Faker also discussed his public image and the expectations that come with being viewed as a model professional. “Becoming an icon may be partly due to my own conduct, but I think it’s mostly because of the attention from the fans,” he said. “Managing myself with the thought of giving back to the fans has both meaning and responsibility for me. Since I’m naturally cautious, that responsibility doesn’t feel like a heavy burden. In a way, I consider it a blessing.”

When asked about his personal life and the possibility of a family after retirement, he smiled. “Nothing has been decided yet,” he admitted. “I do think that having a family would be meaningful, but nothing is set for now — I’ll think and decide later.”