Faker receives Cheongnyong Medal from Korean President

The debate is officially over. If there remained any doubts about whether esports is on equal footing with traditional sports, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung I just silenced them for good. Earlier in the day, at the Blue House, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok received the Cheongnyong (Blue Dragon) Medalthe highest distinction of the Order of Sports Merit. This isn’t just a win for Faker or T1; this is a monumental ratification of our entire industry.

Faker wins Cheongnyong medal: why this medal is important

To understand the gravity of this moment, you have to look at the company Faker now keeps. The Cheongnyong Medal is the first-class honor of the Order of Sports Merit, historically reserved for national heroes who have accumulated an astonishing record. 1,500 merit points.

Before today, this list was dominated by Olympic gold medalists and soccer icons. Son Heung-minand figure skating legend Kim Yuna. ^{Today, a player joined their ranks.}

Unlike particular cultural exceptions, Faker qualified through pure, undeniable dominance. ^{With the history of T1 “Three peats” victory at the 2025 Worlds, thus ensuring its 6th world champion title—Faker has statistically exceeded the threshold of merit points required for the award.}

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The ceremony: a new era for national representatives

President Lee Jae-myung’s remarks at the New Year’s rally highlighted a crucial shift in government gaming policy. Presenting the medal to the 29-year-old mid laner, President Lee said:

“Faker is not just a gaming champion; he is a national representative who has raised Korea’s stature globally. He has shown that passion and digital savvy are new drivers for our nation’s pride.”

This stands in stark contrast to decades past, where video games were often viewed with skepticism by policymakers. Today, the Blue House has effectively declared esports a pillar of South Korean cultural heritage.

Faker’s reaction: as humble as ever

True to form, the “Unkillable Demon King” deflected the glory to his teammates. Standing in a suit that felt as natural to him as his T1 uniform, Faker said:

“It is a great honor to receive this medal while representing the Republic of Korea. I am here because of my teammates who ran this race with me. I hope this award brings some joy and pride to everyone who loves esports.”

What Faker getting the Cheongnyong Medal means for the industry

For us at Adept Marketing and for the broader ecosystem, the implications are huge:

• Legitimacy: Brands can no longer view esports as a “niche” investment. It is a national merit sanctioned by the government.
• Career viability: Parents and educators have a real-world example: a career in video games can lead to the highest levels of national recognition.
• A world precedent: South Korea is the mecca of esports. Where they lead, the world follows. We can expect other countries to begin recognizing their digital athletes with similar state honors.

Faker spent 13 years building a legacy that seemed impossible to surpass. Today, he not only won another trophy; it changed the way the world views the keyboard and mouse.