After successfully advancing to the quarterfinals of the LoL event at EWC 2026, T1's Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok shared his mindset for the tournament and the long-term values he pursues as a professional gamer.

Regarding his thoughts on reaching the quarterfinals, 'Faker' responded cautiously: "While I'm glad we made it, I'm not satisfied with just advancing. I'm thinking a lot about how we need to prepare for the next stage." He assessed their performance, noting, "In the match against BLG, it was disappointing that we made many mistakes by playing too aggressively, and in the GAM match, there were too many minor errors throughout. We plan to focus on fixing these issues."

On the EWC being dubbed a 'World Cup,' he mentioned it as proof of the growth of esports. "It means that so many people are interested in esports," 'Faker' said. "The 'World Cup' title fits well, especially since this EWC brings together various games from all over the world to compete in one place."

As a veteran enjoying an unprecedented long career, he also opened up about his personal methods for staying motivated. "Throughout my career, I've tried to set sustainable goals and maintain them. I think that attitude has naturally allowed me to continue my career for such a long time," he revealed.

Regarding the upcoming schedule, which will shift from the single-game format of the qualifiers to full best-of series starting in the quarterfinals, he expressed confidence, highlighting T1's strength in 'feedback ability.' "It's easier to deal with variables in a best-of series. I believe our team excels at quickly correcting our shortcomings, so we will be able to show a much better performance in the upcoming matches," he said.

He was also asked about his external activities, such as his recent Google Play commercial and his appearance on a Disney Plus brain-teaser variety show, which have been garnering attention both inside and outside the esports scene.

Regarding the commercial shoot with Karina, he said, "It's always interesting and fun to experience new things," and regarding the Disney Plus show, he added, "Honestly, I don't think I did very well on the program, so I'm quite worried about it being released."

When asked if these external activities affect his gameplay, 'Faker' explained, "I usually schedule these shoots when I have free time, so I manage them well to ensure they don't interfere with my matches. Ultimately, I think positively of these activities because they are good experiences for me personally and provide new content for the fans."

The keyword 'Faker' emphasized most was 'inspiration.' When asked specifically what kind of inspiration he wants to provide, he stated firmly, "As a professional gamer, the act of being with my teammates and showing our fans great matches is incredibly meaningful. My ultimate goal is to provide a wide range of positive influence, good ideas, and help to many people through gaming."

He concluded the interview by saying, "I am well aware that there are many fans who always wish for my happiness, and I am always grateful. Based on the precious support from my fans, I will continue to show my best in the future."