On the 13th (KST), T1 took down KT Rolster in the classic 'Telecom War' matchup in 2020 LCK Spring split. With a set score of 2-0, T1 proved why they're strong contenders to be the best in the world, whereas KT continues their struggle to find their first victory of the season.

The captain and the mid laner of T1, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok joined Inven Global in a 1 on 1 interview to talk about the victory, his struggles in solo queue, and his new team.

You received Player of the Game (PoG) a lot recently. Even though you didn’t receive it today, do you think that you’re performing well these days?

Receiving PoG usually meant that you were playing well, and rather than my level of performance going up, when we look at the direction we’re going to win the game, I feel like I was put on spotlight because the team played around me. 

Have you ever thought about what a team with 5 Fakers on the team will be like?

I think we’ll do pretty well. I’m a ‘gosu’ (someone very good at something) of the game, so I think the team will do very well. 

Will you also be okay as support?

I actually carried a game as support in solo queue.

As Alistar?

No, as Pyke.

Have you ever heard people talk about ‘Pre 15-min Faker’ and ‘Post-15 min Faker’? What are your thoughts on the two nicknames?

I have heard about it, and whenever I’m underperforming or is in the process of improving, it’s true that my statistics before 15 minutes. However, if I’m performing well, I feel that both versions of them are playing well, and I believe that I’m currently the best in the LCK.

However, I heard that you’re currently struggling in solo queue. Do you ever get angry about it?

I think it’s because of a bug. At first, I thought that I just have bad luck with teammates because Diamond elo is notorious for teammates being such a coin flip, but now, I feel like there’s a bug, or I’m part of the Truman Show. In many ways, I’m going through a hard time right now.

Last year, the consensus on T1’s roster was that it was really strong, but this year, people are saying that T1’s roster looks weaker. As the captain of the team, you must have a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders.

I believe that roster from both last and this year are very strong. Because I failed to win Worlds last year, I’m now confident in myself that I’ll perform well this year. Whether it’s last year or this year, I think that we’re still a championship contending team. 

It was hard to imagine T1 without kkOma, yet this year, coach Kim replaced him as the new head coach for the team. How did the team different with Kim as to kkOma?

I think that despite 3 players leaving the team, things aren’t much different in terms of playstyle. However, coach Kim is more directly involved in giving feedback about the game. Although not much has changed, he helps us more in setting up general frames.

How would you compare the two coaches, Kim and kkOma?

There isn’t a difference impactful enough to affect the game, and I think they’re both very good coaches.

Whenever your former teammate, Wolf, watched the LCK, he did not shy away from being so critical about you. When you received PoG, he even cried, and is known to be a big hater. What do you think about this?

I’m aware. I think that he’s so spiteful because it’s just his way of making himself feel better for all the times he didn’t receive the award in the past (laughter).

You’ll be playing Gen.G next, and I’d assume that because your ex-jungler, Clid, is on the team, it’s the team that you want to beat the most.

I do want to beat Clid, Gen.G is high in the standings, and I think they’re a strong team, so in that regard, I feel like I have an important match ahead of us.

In your opinion, who are some of the strong teams in the LCK at the moment? Any team that you’d personally like to face?

I think that us, Gen.G, and DAMWON will do well, However, since it’s still early in the season, I don’t know how things will look towards the end. 

What are your goals for this season?

My goal is again, to win the split. Looking further down in the future, in order to perform better at Worlds, I need to work on building my physical stamina. Whether it’s things like stamina, I’m also looking to improve on things outside the game. I’m currently working out, and I plan to work out harder to build stamina.

What kind of workouts do you do?

I do basic weight training to Pilates.

Lastly, can you say something to your fans?

I know that fans are expecting a lot from this year’s roster, so we’ll make sure to work hard for great results. Thank you for your continued support.