The second episode of Prime Minister’s Interview, a talk series hosted by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, was released on the 20th. The interview—recorded on the 18th—featured “Faker” Lee Sang-hyeok of T1, who recently achieved a historic milestone at the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds): a record sixth overall title and the tournament’s first-ever three-peat (three consecutive championships). The two held an in-depth discussion on South Korea’s vision of becoming a “cultural nation,” the stature of esports, Faker’s philosophy as a pro gamer, and the future of the game industry.

Prime Minister Kim opened by outlining the national vision pursued by the current administration. Citing a conversation he had with President Lee Jae-myung in January, Kim said, “In the midst of a national crisis, growth and the restoration of democracy come first—but ultimately, the path we must take is the ‘cultural nation’ that Baekbeom Kim Gu spoke of, and the President and I have come to share that understanding.” He went on to stress that alongside K-pop and K-dramas—genres that captivate audiences around the world—“K-games” and esports are core elements in advancing toward a cultural nation.

In response, Lee Sang-hyeok reflected on his latest Worlds victory: “I never imagined I’d be able to compete as a pro gamer for so long, and I never thought I’d win three in a row,” he said, adding that it felt like “good fortune” and “an honor.” He also noted that unlike his childhood—when he started simply because he enjoyed games—once he became a professional, he came to realize the positive influence his work could have on the public.

The conversation also touched on the practical concerns that come with choosing pro gaming as a career. Lee recalled that early in his debut years, his biggest worry was “financial stability.” “Back then, careers were short and the future was uncertain, so it was hard to even dream of playing for more than 10 years,” he said. “I started with the mindset that even if I didn’t make money, I’d at least build valuable experience.” He added that he was able to devote himself fully to gaming thanks to his father, who supported his decision rather than opposing it—telling him to “do what you want to do.”

Lee also gave a detailed explanation of the focus and leadership for which he is widely known. He described himself as someone driven by a “passion to explore,” saying it was crucial to continuously study a game’s structure and the factors that lead to victory. On leadership, he said, “I wasn’t a natural-born leader, but over 13 years as a player I came to feel the necessity of taking on roles that help the team win.” He shared that he has read extensively in leadership books, and identified the core virtues of a leader as being “someone others can trust,” “leading by example,” and “helping others.”

In particular, Lee’s reading habits and mental management drew attention during the interview. He said that even when results are poor, he tries to stay composed by focusing on the process. Reading around 20 books a year, he recommended I May Be Wrong by Swedish author Björn Natthiko Lindeblad, introducing it as a book that greatly helped him steady his mind during his pro career.

The discussion continued with pointed critiques and suggestions for South Korea’s game industry. Lee argued, “Korea’s standing is high as the birthplace of esports, but we need to think more about qualitative growth in the game industry itself.” Referring to the philosophical messages and insights he experienced in overseas console titles—Detroit: Become Human, for instance—he analyzed that “the domestic market tends to lean toward mass-produced games chasing short-term profit, or systems centered on straightforward character progression.” He added that he hopes games will evolve beyond simple entertainment into content that inspires people and has a positive impact, much like film.

Closing the interview, Prime Minister Kim said he was impressed by “the passion and sense of responsibility Lee Sang-hyeok has shown,” and encouraged him to “continue to have a positive influence on society as a face representing Korea.” Lee also reaffirmed his commitment, saying, “The support of fans is both the purpose and the goal of my pro-gamer life,” and expressed his determination to keep competing in order to deliver good inspiration to fans through his ongoing work.

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.