Faker’s Unconventional Weapon: A Bookshelf

Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, the undisputed king of League of Legends, is as famous for his reading habits as his in-game mechanics. While most pro gamers focus solely on practice, Faker credits his 10-year dominance to an unexpected tool: books. Fans often spot him with titles like *The Selfish Gene* or *Walden* during interviews, sparking curiosity about how literature fuels his esports career.

Korean communities, including DC Inside and FM Korea, have dissected his reading lists, with one user joking, *“Faker’s secret buff isn’t in the game files—it’s in the library.”

Why Does Faker Read? It’s All About Mindset

Faker began reading to solve a problem: mental burnout. Early in his career, he struggled with the pressure of constant competition. In a 2021 interview, he revealed that books like Henry David Thoreau’s *Walden* taught him to “empty his mind” during high-stakes tournaments like Worlds.

“Books changed how I approach gaming and life. They helped me enjoy being a pro gamer for over a decade.” – Faker

His reading evolved from fiction (*1Q84* by Haruki Murakami) to psychology and neuroscience, which he uses to analyze in-game decision-making.

The Books That Defined Faker’s Career

1. **“Walden” by Henry David Thoreau**: Taught him simplicity and focus during the 2016 Worlds.

2. **“The Selfish Gene” by Richard Dawkins**: Sharpened his understanding of competition and strategy.

3. **“Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari**: Inspired his long-term career perspective.

Fans on Naver Blog note that these books mirror his gameplay—calculated, adaptive, and visionary. After he mentioned *Sapiens* in a 2022 interview, Korean bookstores reported a 300% spike in sales.

From Fan Gifts to Viral Trends

Faker’s fans regularly send him books, which he strives to read. A 2023 Hankook Ilbo article highlighted how T1’s practice room includes a “Faker Bookshelf” filled with fan recommendations.

Online communities like the *Faker Book Club* dissect his reads. When he praised *Miracle Morning*, a self-help book about routines, it trended for weeks on YouTube Korea, with creators like *Dolphin Miner* making “Get Faker’s Brain in 30 Days” challenges.

How Reading Transformed Faker’s Legacy

Faker’s reading habits have directly impacted his career longevity:

• Mental Resilience: Psychologists attribute his comeback after wrist injuries to mindfulness techniques from books.
• Strategic Depth: Coaches note his ability to predict opponents’ moves—a skill honed by studying human behavior in literature.
• Leadership: Teammates say his calm demeanor during T1’s 2023 Worlds win mirrored lessons from *The Courage to Be Disliked*.

A Reddit user summarized: *“Faker doesn’t just read books; he reverse-engines life itself.”

What Gamers Can Learn from Faker’s Habits

1. **Read with Purpose**: Faker chooses books that solve specific issues, like stress or strategy.

2. **Mix Genres**: From sci-fi (*Laplace’s Witch*) to philosophy (*Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?*), diversity breeds creativity.

3. **Apply Lessons**: He adapts ideas—for example, using *The Art of War* principles in jungle pathing.

Pro gamers like DK ShowMaker have since adopted similar routines, citing Faker as inspiration.

The Cult of Faker’s Bookshelf

Faker’s influence extends beyond gaming. In 2024, Kyobo Bookstore launched a **“Faker’s Picks”** section, featuring his favorites. Korean university students even started “Faker-style study marathons,” blending gaming drills with reading sessions.

As one fan tweeted: *“Faker taught me that a summoner’s spellbook isn’t just in-game—it’s real books.”

Whether you’re a gamer or not, Faker’s story proves that books can be ultimate power-ups. As he prepares for his 11th Worlds, one thing’s clear: his next victory might just be hiding in the pages of his latest read.