Last week, we made a list about the United States' highest earning esports players. Now, Republic of Korea, one of the first countries that comes to mind when esports is mentioned, is the country that is the subject of our list.
Without delay, let's start our list of esports players from the Republic of Korea, whom we know especially for their success in video games that require quick reflexes.
8. Park "Dark" Ryung-woo (StarCraft II)
We start our list with 26-year-old Korean StarCraft II actor Park "Dark" Ryung-woo. Dark is a zerg player currently playing for Dragon Phoenix Gaming. Dark, who has been on the esports scene since 2012, has many successes. He won the Rookie of the Year award in the 2015 Proleague. He is the fifth player to receive the NesTea Award with his 10 consecutive GSL Code S appearances. Dark is also known as a foreign killer, losing only 9 series against foreigners. He is the first Zerg to win a GSL code S in Legacy of the Void. One of his greatest achievements is the 2019 WCS Global Finals title.
Most notable titles: 2021 Global StarCraft II League Season 2, TeamLiquid StarLeague 6, 2019 WCS Global Finals, 2019 AfreecaTV GSL Super Tournament 2, 2019 Global StarCraft II League Season 2: Code S, 2016 WCS Korea Season 2 Cross Finals, 2016 StarCraft II StarLeague Season 1: Main Event
Teams played: SlayerS, SK Telecom T1, The Gosu Crew, Dragon Phoenix Gaming (Present)
Approximate total earnings: $869,137
7. Lee "Wolf" Jae-wan (League of Legends)
Lee "Wolf" Jae-wan, 25, is a retired League of Legends esports player. The support player is best remembered for his performance on SK Telecom T1 with his duo Bae "Bang" Jun-sik. With these performances, they won the World Championship twice in a row and then placed second. An interesting fact about him is that his fingernails were quite long while he was playing. He says this gave him an advantage. Wolf is currently pursuing his career as a streamer at T1.
Most notable titles: 2016 World Championship, 2015 World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational 2017, Mid-Season Invitational 2016, LCK Spring 2015, LCK Spring 2016, LCK Spring 2017, LCK Summer 2015, IEM Season X - World Championship
Teams played: Najin Shield, Chunnam Techno University, SK Telecom T1 S, SK Telecom T1, SuperMassive eSports, T1 (Streamer)
Approximate total earnings: $913,084
6. Park "Loki" Jung-young (PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS)
The first and only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS player on our list is Park "Loki" Jung-young. The 23-year-old player has been continuing his esports career since 2018. He is currently continuing his career at DAMWON Gaming. His most important achievement is undoubtedly the PUBG Global Championship 2019 title he won with DAMWON Gaming.
Most notable titles: PUBG Global Championship 2019, PUBG Global Invitational 2018 - TPP, MET Asia Series: PUBG Classic, PUBG Korea League 2019 - Phase 2
Teams played: KSV Cles, Gen.G Gold, Gen.G, DAMWON Gaming (Present)
Approximate total earnings: $914,093
5. Bae "Bang" Jun-sik (League of Legends)
Another League of Legends player on our list is Bae "Bang" Jun-sik. Also mentioned in Lee "Wolf" Jae-wan's part, the player achieved his greatest achievements with SK Telecom T1. Bang, who retired in December 2021, became the third player in the LCK to reach 1000 kills after Faker and PraY. He last played for Afreeca Freecs.
Most notable titles: 2016 World Championship, 2015 World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational 2017, Mid-Season Invitational 2016, LCK Spring 2015, LCK Spring 2016, LCK Spring 2017, LCK Summer 2015, IEM Season X - World Championship
Teams played: NaJin White Shield, Xenics Blast, SK Telecom T1 S, SK Telecom T1, 100 Thieves, Evil Geniuses, Afreeca Freecs
Approximate total earnings: $915,911
4. Lee "Duke" Ho-seong (League of Legends)
We continue our list with another League of Legends player, Lee "Duke" Ho-seong. The 27-year-old top lane player won World Championships in both SK Telecom T1 and Invictus Gaming. This makes him the only player to hold this title. Duke is currently inactive and does not play for any team.
Most notable titles: 2018 World Championship, 2016 World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational 2016, LPL Spring 2019, LCK Spring 2016, IEM Season VIII - World Championship, IEM Season X - World Championship, Rift Rivals 2018: LCK vs LPL vs LMS
Teams played: KT Rolster Bullets, NaJin Black Sword, NaJin e-mFire, SK Telecom T1, Invictus Gaming
Approximate total earnings: $954,620
3. Lee "Rogue" Yeol (StarCraft II)
Another StarCraft II player on our list is 28-year-old Lee "Rogue" Yeol. The 28-year-old Zerg player currently plays for Dragon Phoenix Gaming. He is a player who uses unconventional strategies. Rogue held three World Championship titles at once, along with the 2017 WCS Global Finals, IEM Season XII - World Championship, and Unofficial World Championship titles. He is also the first Zerg player to win the IEM World Championship. He is also the only player to win the IEM Katowice twice. Do you think he will win his third this month?
Most notable titles: TeamLiquid StarLeague 8, 2021 AfreecaTV GSL Super Tournament 3, 2021 Global StarCraft II League Season 1, 2020 Global StarCraft II League Season 2, IEM Katowice 2020, 2019 Global StarCraft II League Season 3: Code S, IEM Season XII - World Championship, 2017 WCS Global Finals, 2017 AfreecaTV GSL Super Tournament 2, IEM Season XII - Shanghai
Teams played: Hwaseung Oz, Team 8, Jin Air Green Wings, Dragon Phoenix Gaming (Present)
Approximate total earnings: $968,981
2. Cho "Maru" Seong-ju (StarCraft II)
Just short of the #1 position is 24-year-old StarCraft II player Cho "Maru" Seong-ju. The Terran player Maru currently plays for Team NV. Maru is known as the youngest GSL player of all time. The youngest Royal Reader in OSL history, Maru is also the first eSF OSL champion. Along with INnoVation, TY and ByuN, he is known as one of the Four Horsemen of Terran. Maru is also the only person to win two consecutive GSLs as a Terran player. He is one of the best StarCraft II players of all time.
Most notable titles: World Electronic Sports Games 2017, 2018 Global StarCraft II League Season 3: Code S, 2018 Global StarCraft II League Season 2: Code S, 2018 Global StarCraft II League Season 1: Code S, 2015 StarCraft II StarLeague Season 1: Main Event, 2019 Global StarCraft II League Season 1: Code S, 2013 WCS Season 2 Korea OSL: Premier League, DH SC2 Masters 2021: Last Chance 2022, DH SC2 Masters 2021 Winter: Season Finals, 2020 AfreecaTV GSL Super Tournament 1, King of Battles: KB International Championship
Teams played: Prime, Jin Air Green Wings, Team NV (Present)
Approximate total earnings: $975,656
1. Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok (League of Legends)
At the top of our list is Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, one of the most important names in League of Legends esports. Mid lane player currently plays for T1. Faker has 3 World Championships, 2 Mid-Season Invitationals and 9 combined LCK and Champions Korea titles. Some Korean fans call him "The Unkillable Demon King" and "Faker Faker Playmaker". He is so attached to T1, the only team he plays for, that all of his clothing consists of SK Telecom T1 uniforms and white t-shirts. He is also the first player to win 600 games in the LCK. He is known as the GOAT of League of Legends.
Most notable titles: 2016 World Championship, 2015 World Championship, Season 3 World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational 2017, Mid-Season Invitational 2016, LCK Spring 2015, LCK Spring 2016, LCK Spring 2017, LCK Spring 2019, LCK Spring 2020, LCK Summer 2015, LCK Summer 2019, Rift Rivals 2019: LCK vs LPL vs LMS vs VCS, Champions Winter 2013-2014, Champions Summer 2013, IEM Season X - World Championship
Teams played: SK Telecom T1 K, T1 (Present)
Approximate total earnings: $1,309,607
We have come to the end of our list with Faker. Republic of Korea players, who have tremendous reflexes, have always had great moments for esports lovers. They have always been leading players in the esports of the games they play. Although our list of great players has come to an end, the matches of all these players continue. Stay on Luckbox so you don't miss these matches.
Are you an esports fan as well? You can follow the matches of your favourite teams and players on Luckbox, and place bets on them.
