Faker, whose real name is Lee Sang-hyeok, is a South Korean esports star widely called the greatest League of Legends player ever. Born in 1996, he plays mid-lane for T1 and has won a record six World Championships. Fans know him as “The Unkillable Demon King” for his calm and dominant play.
Who is Faker?
Faker is a professional League of Legends player from South Korea. He has spent his whole career with one team, SK Telecom T1 (now simply called T1), since 2013.
Most fans and experts agree he is the best to ever play the game. He has lifted the World Championship trophy six times, which is more than any other player in League history.
Beyond his skill, people respect his loyalty. He stayed with T1 even when other teams reportedly offered him much bigger paychecks. In 2024, he became the first player ever inducted into the Hall of Legends.
Faker’s Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lee Sang-hyeok (이상혁) |
| Nickname | Faker, “The Unkillable Demon King” |
| Profession | Professional League of Legends Player (Esports) |
| Date of Birth | May 7, 1996 |
| Age | 30 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Ethnicity | Korean (Asian) |
| Known For | Being the greatest League of Legends player of all time |
Faker was born on May 7, 1996, in Seoul, South Korea. He grew up as a quiet, focused child who loved puzzles and computers.
He shot to fame as a teenager after dominating the Korean solo queue ladder. By age 17, he had left school to go pro, and he never looked back. Today he is a household name in esports and a symbol of Korean gaming success.
Faker Height, Weight and Physical Appearance? How tall he is?
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in), roughly 1.76 m |
| Weight | Around 56 to 63 kg (123 to 139 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Type | Slim and lean |
Faker stands around 175 cm tall, which is about 5 feet 9 inches. A few sites list him slightly higher at 1.76 m, so the small gap is normal for online profiles.
His weight is usually reported somewhere between 56 and 63 kg. He keeps a slim, lean build and stays healthy through regular exercise. He also avoids alcohol and smoking, since he feels it helps his focus during long practice hours.
Background and Early Life
Faker was born and raised in Seoul. Reports say he was brought up mainly by his father and his grandparents, and he was the youngest child in the family.
As a kid he was smart and a bit introverted. He enjoyed solving puzzles and played older strategy titles like Warcraft III and StarCraft before he found League of Legends around 2011.
He quickly climbed to the very top of the Korean rankings under the name “GoJeonPa.” That talent caught the eye of SK Telecom, who signed him in 2013 while he was still a teenager.
Is he married? Who is Faker’s Wife or Partner?
Faker has always kept his personal life very private. As of now, there is no confirmed wife, girlfriend, or public relationship linked to him.
He seems to keep to himself and stays fully focused on his career and daily training. Over the years, he has rarely spoken about dating in interviews.
Since nothing has been officially shared, it is fair to say he is single by his own choice. He clearly prefers to protect his private world and keep it away from the cameras.
Family Background
Faker grew up in a modest household in Seoul. Most reports agree he was raised mainly by his father and his grandparents.
Some sites say his father worked as a carpenter and that Faker has an older brother. These specific details appear on only a few sources, so they are not fully confirmed.
Faker himself rarely talks about his family in public. He has said his upbringing taught him discipline, which likely shaped the calm and hard-working attitude he is famous for today.
Faker’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2019 | ~$4 million |
| 2020 | ~$5 million |
| 2021 | ~$6 million |
| 2022 | ~$9 million |
| 2023 | ~$12 million |
| 2024 | ~$16 million |
| 2025 | ~$19 million |
| 2026 | ~$20 million (estimates range from $10M to $25M+) |
Faker’s exact net worth is hard to pin down, and 2026 estimates range widely from about $10 million to over $25 million.
Most of his money does not come from prize winnings. His T1 salary is reported to be around $6 to $8 million a year, which makes him the highest-paid League player in the world.
He also holds an ownership stake of roughly 6% in T1, earns from sponsors like Red Bull, and reportedly owns a commercial building in Seoul often called “Faker Tower” that brings in rental income.
Career
Faker joined SK Telecom T1 in 2013 and made an instant impact. In his very first year he won the LCK and his first World Championship, shocking fans with his fearless style of play.
He went on to win Worlds again in 2015 and 2016, plus two MSI titles. After a few quieter seasons, he stormed back to the top with three straight world titles in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
That three-peat was the first ever in Worlds history. He also won gold at the 2022 Asian Games and became the first LCK player to reach 700 career wins.
Lesser-Known Facts About Faker
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Solo Queue Name | Played as “GoJeonPa” before turning pro |
| Lifestyle | Does not drink alcohol or smoke |
| Business | Part-owner of T1 since 2020, owns “Faker Tower” in Seoul |
| Loyalty | Reportedly turned down offers near $20M to stay with T1 |
| Honor | First inductee into the LoL Hall of Legends (2024) |
| Contract | Re-signed with T1 through 2029 |
Away from the stage, Faker lives a simple and disciplined life. He avoids alcohol and smoking because he believes it keeps his mind sharp for competition.
He is famously loyal and reportedly rejected huge offers from Chinese teams to stay with T1. Riot Games has even honored him with several in-game skins based on his career.
He also became a part-owner of T1 in 2020, a rare move for an active player. In July 2025, he signed a new deal to remain with the team until 2029.
Faker Social Media
Faker is active on a few platforms, though he posts less often than many full-time streamers.
His main accounts are on Instagram (@faker) and on X, formerly Twitter (@faker), where he has a following in the hundreds of thousands worldwide. He shares occasional photos, updates, and match reactions.
He also appears regularly on T1’s official YouTube and streaming channels. Since fake and fan-made pages are very common, always confirm an account is verified before you follow it.
FAQs
How tall is Faker?
Faker is around 175 cm tall, which is about 5 feet 9 inches.
What is Faker’s real name?
His real name is Lee Sang-hyeok, and he was born in Seoul, South Korea.
How old is Faker?
He was born on May 7, 1996, so he turned 30 in May 2026.
How much is Faker worth?
Estimates in 2026 range from about $10 million to over $25 million.
Is Faker married?
No. There is no confirmed wife or partner, and he keeps his personal life private.