Korea has a long history of producing some of the best video game players in the world. This is evident in many Korean eSports players' success in competitions across different games. In this guide, we're deep-diving into the South Korean eSports world to look at ten of the most iconic Korean eSports players currently dominating the world scene.
Let's get into it.
#1 - Faker
Lee, Sang Hyeok | League of Legends | $1,434,271.14 total prize money won
Of course, nobody comes close to Faker.
A professional League of Legends player, Faker, has amassed over $1.4 million in tournament winnings and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to take up a controller. He plays for SK Telecom T1, one of the most successful eSports organizations in Korea, and his explosive use of skill-shot combos has made him a fan favorite.
He's a role model and an icon for millions worldwide, and there's no denying Faker's impact on the gaming world. Incredibly, while a standard eSports pro's career lasts around two years, Faker has been on the world stage since 2013 and doesn't show signs of stopping.
Check out his incredible compilation to see why he's considered one of the greats.
T1 Faker "MIDLANE LEGEND" Montage | Best of Faker Stream Highlights
#2 - ByuN
Byun, Hyun Woo | StarCraft II | $494,633.67 total prize money won
ByuN is Korea's second most successful player and a strong contender against Faker. He has had great success in the WCS Circuit (World Championship Series) by taking out big names like Parting, Life, and Dark to win the trophy. ByuN is known for his aggressive plays and often takes on a few opponents simultaneously.
He's played in over 440 tournaments across his career, and his earnings total almost half a million dollars.
#3 - Maru
Choi, Jung Hoon | StarCraft II | $1,076,208.12 total prize money won
Maru is a legendary all-around player in the RTS genre who has been playing since he was 13 years old. He currently plays for Onsyde Gaming and is known for his highly aggressive playstyle that often involves early rushes and mid-game attacks.
Maru has had the most success in the GSL (Global StarCraft II League) tournaments, where he has won five titles in total. His winnings put him near the top of eSports earners with over 1 million dollars.
#4 - Rogue
Lee, Byung Ryul | StarCraft II | $1,057,634.88 total prize money won
Rogue is a professional gamer who excels in both StarCraft II and Overwatch. He has participated in numerous tournaments worldwide and was part of the 2018 Overwatch World Cup Korean team.
He has had the most success in the StarCraft II circuit, where he has won three GSL titles. His earnings make him one of the highest-paid players in Korea, with over a million dollars of prize money.
#5 - Fl0w3R
Park, Sang Hyun | Overwatch | $84945.60 total prize money won
Fl0w3R is another top Korean eSports player who has achieved great success in Overwatch, Quake, and Team Fortress 2.
He started his career in 2019 when he debuted with OWL gaming and has since become one of the most recognizable names in the Overwatch scene, specifically due to certain Widowmaker plays that will go down in the history books.
Fl0w3R Godlike Widowmaker Full Highlights vs USA [OW World Cup 2017]
#6 - Wolf
Lee, Jae Wan | League of Legends | $913,084.70 total prize money won
Wolf is a professional League of Legends player who currently plays for SK Telecom T1. He has been playing the game since he was 14 and is renowned for his superb mechanical ability in-game, allowing him to make quick decisions and outplay his opponents.
Throughout his career, Wolf has had great success in tournaments worldwide, earning him almost a million dollars in tournament winnings.
#7 - Keria
Ryu Min-Seok | League of Legends | $57,539.20 total prize money won
Keria is among the most renowned, creative, and brilliant LOL players ever to grace the Rift. Known for his sleek plays, gorgeous setups, and ability to read the map like a book, Keria is a firm favorite.
Currently playing for T1, Keria found his way into the world of eSports through the DragonX trainee program, debuting in 2019, and has since won dozens of tournaments with the team, including his appearances on the world stage.
#8 - Beryl
Cho Geon-hee | League of Legends | $400 546 total prize money won
While we're talking about the best League support players, we have to mention Beryl. Formerly playing for DRX, Beryl won his second World Championship win in 2022, prompting a huge outpouring of love from the Korean gaming community.
Beryl is known for his creative plays, great decision-making, and quick shot-calling abilities in-game. His performance at Worlds earned him over $400,000 in prize money.
#9 - Esther
Go, Jeong-wan | PUBG | $909,159.76 total prize money won
ESTH3R is a professional PUBG player who rose to fame in 2021 and has been dominating the international scene ever since. He currently plays for Gen.G, one of Korea's most successful teams, and has had great success in tournaments around the world. His wins have earned him over nine hundred thousand dollars in prize money and respect from players and fans alike.
Esther has moved around over the years, playing for Gen.G in their Valorant roster but moved back to PUBG in 2021.
#10 - Loki
Park, Jung Young | PUBG | $983,217.51 total prize money won
Loki is another professional PUBG player who has had tremendous success in the competitive scene. He entered the PUBG Pro League with Gen.G in 2021 and has since won numerous tournaments, including first place at the 2018 Asia Championship and second place at Auzom Premier League Season 1. Loki's skills have earned him almost a million dollars in prize money, making him one of the wealthiest PUBG players in Korea.
Korea is undoubtedly one of the strongest countries for eSports, and these ten players are just a few examples of why. Their skill, dedication, and determination have made them some of the most iconic figures in the Korean gaming scene, earning them both fame and fortune.