Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok is once again preparing to fight for a major international title — this time in the grand final of the Mid-Season Invitational 2025 against long-time rivals Gen.G. After a grueling 3:2 victory over Anyone's Legend, the legendary T1 midlaner sat down with Sheep Esports to reflect on his career, speak on the importance of winning MSI, fame, and what the future beyond League of Legends might hold.

Faker has won MSI twice — in 2016 and 2017 — but hasn’t lifted the trophy since. T1 has repeatedly reached the brink of glory, falling just short in multiple international finals, including Worlds in 2023 and 2024. At MSI 2025, they made it to the final through the lower bracket after a tough loss to Gen.G earlier in the tournament. Now, with a rematch in sight, Faker is ready to fight for redemption.

In his conversation with Sheep Esports, Faker made it clear that despite the earlier loss, T1 is coming back with confidence:

Although we lost to Gen.G a few days ago, I'm happy we have another chance. Tomorrow, I'll try my best to win.

   

Asked about the importance of winning MSI again after so many years, he didn't hesitate:

The MSI trophy is one our fans, and we, have long been waiting for. Every tournament is important. I'll prepare myself well and try my best to win it.

  

On carrying the legacy of T1 through all its roster changes over the years, Faker responded with humility:

I always try to focus on my own performance and my professionalism. Players who are here and who have come and gone probably have seen me, and hopefully I've been their motivation. But for me, I just want to keep playing better and keep playing well.

  

Faker also acknowledged just how much of his life has been intertwined with League:

Throughout my 20s, I've played a lot of League of Legends and it's been a long tenure. But no matter what, I've always tried to play as much League of Legends as I could throughout my career and always strived to improve.

  

His competitors often note his aura — something Faker doesn't try to cultivate:

I always try to keep to myself and be myself, but I really appreciate how players perceive me that way. Thank you.

  

Even seeing his own face on food packaging doesn’t surprise him anymore:

I've been playing as a professional gamer for a long time, now I'm kind of used to and familiar with how people react. But back in the days before my debut, I probably would’ve been surprised if I had experienced that. As for now, I just appreciate my current life as a gamer and try to improve day by day.

  

Ahead of the final, Faker will appear in another MSI trailer. Are those dramatic lines really him?

Most of them are scripted, but they make really good narratives. I don’t express myself that well in interviews, so I’m thankful for them. To answer your question—it’s mostly scripted from the start.

   

No fear of burnout,  With MSI, EWC, and Summer all lined up, Faker isn’t worried:

I'm kind of used to this packed schedule I deal with it fine. I still have moments where I can rest in between matches. For example, after today's game, I'm probably going to rest at the hotel. I always see these many matches as good experiences and try to learn from them.

  

 Faker also addressed his long-time in-game rival, Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon:

I don't really interact with players outside of my team or outside of official matches, so we don't have a strong relationship outside of the game. In-game, Chovy and I have played a lot of great games—I consider him a good opponent.

  

Would he teach his future child to play League? His answer is clear:

I won't force my kids or teach them to play League because I've really lived the life of a professional gamer and I know how difficult it is. So, I'll probably let my child do whatever he or she wants to do.

  

And the anime question: Faker leaves us with a mystery:

It's a secret.

  

Faker last lifted the MSI trophy in 2017. Now, at MSI 2025, he has the chance to do it again — but only if T1 can overcome Gen.G, the very team that defeated them earlier in the event. A victory would mark Faker’s third MSI title and another chapter in one of esports’ most legendary careers.

The Mid-Season Invitational 2025 will take place from June 27 to July 12 in Canada, with a prize pool of $2,000,000. You can follow the news, schedule, and results of the tournament through this link.