On 13 August 2025, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok crossed a historic threshold by achieving his 700th victory in the LCK, winning against KT Rolster. This milestone, confirmed by T1, refers to collective victories rather than individual performance. In such a competitive region as Korea, achieving this total is exceptional and testifies to a longevity rarely seen in esports.

Faker's rise to fame began in 2013 when he joined SK Telecom T1 at the age of 17. His earliest appearances immediately altered perceptions of the midlane. Clinical mechanics, precise wave management, and impeccable timing characterized his aggressive yet deliberate style. That same year, he won the 2013 World Championship, etching his name into the game's history with iconic moments, most notably the iconic Zed versus Zed duel against Ryu "Ryu" Sang-wook, which signaled his arrival at the highest level.

Between 2015 and 2017, Faker led the SK Telecom T1 dynasty. He won multiple domestic titles, two MSI trophies, and two World Championships in 2015 and 2016. In a perpetually shifting meta, he demonstrated uncommon versatility, moving seamlessly from explosive playmaking to methodical map control. Champions such as LeBlanc, Ryze, Azir, and Ahri were not just selections in his hands; they became instruments that changed how the midlane was played in elite competition.

The unkillable Demon King

The following years saw changes to the roster and more inconsistent results. Rather than diminishing his influence, this period reshaped it. Faker evolved from prodigy to captain, taking on greater responsibilities in shot calling and mentoring. His gameplay became more nuanced and his role more layered: he was no longer just the decisive player who closed games; he also became the conductor who set the team’s tempo.

A return to the forefront took shape with a new generation around him: Choi "Zeus" Woo-je, Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun, Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong, and Ryu "Keria" Min-seok as T1 regained full stride. Reaching multiple World Finals, achieving domestic dominance, and ultimately winning the 2023 Worlds demonstrated Faker's ability to adapt, succeed, and add a new legendary move with Azir. In 2024, he reaffirmed his ability to remain competitive despite the influx of younger talent and the ever-shifting meta game.

The 700th LCK win encapsulates this consistency. It reflects a career built on discipline, adaptability, and an acute sense of the collective. In a league where every match is hard-fought and each opponent devises a specific anti-T1 strategy, maintaining such a level of performance demands daily discipline and an exceptional understanding of the game. This impressive milestone not only highlights Faker's mechanical excellence but also his sustained ability to lead teams to victory time and time again across different eras.

Beyond the numbers, Faker’s legacy has become a benchmark of professionalism in esports. The Unkillable Demon King embodies stability, a measured public presence, and quiet leadership. His 700 wins are not just a statistical footnote; it is further evidence that twelve years after his debut, he remains the definitive midlane reference and the most credible ambassadors of League of Legends. While he continues to play, each LCK split will read like another chapter in a story that the global scene has yet to finish reading.