Faker Honored with 'Reader&Leader' Award, Credits Reading for Gaming Triumph

A Unique Achievement: T1 Faker Recognized for Reading and Leadership

T1 Faker, whose real name is Lee Sang-hyeok, has been honored with the Shin-Gu Cultural Award titled ‘Reader&Leader’ Award by the Shin-Gu Library Foundation. This recognition highlights his dedication to reading and leadership, showcasing how his passion for books has influenced both his personal growth and professional success.

The award was presented during the Shin-Gu Cultural Awards held on the 23rd, as reported by the Shin-Gu Library Foundation. In his acceptance speech, Faker shared insights into how reading played a pivotal role in his journey. He mentioned that one of the main reasons he started reading was to improve his gaming skills. According to him, reading books transformed his approach to games and life, allowing him to enjoy his career as a professional gamer more deeply.

A Campaign for Young Readers

Faker is also set to participate in a reading promotion campaign organized by the Game Culture Foundation. The initiative, titled “Shh! The Secret to Victory, Reading,” aims to encourage teenagers to develop a habit of reading. Posters designed for the campaign will be distributed across public libraries and school libraries nationwide, spreading the message of the importance of reading.

Yoo Byung-han, chairman of the Game Culture Foundation, expressed gratitude for Faker’s involvement, stating that his efforts have demonstrated the benefits of combining gaming and reading. He emphasized that through this campaign, Faker has contributed significantly to promoting a culture that encourages positive role models and reading among youth.

A Passion for Reading

Faker's love for reading is well-documented. In a past internet broadcast, he gained attention by sharing a list of books he had read. This list included novels such as Bernard Werber’s Sleep and Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84, as well as non-fiction works like Michael Sandel’s Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and Carl Sagan’s Cosmos. Additionally, he has read books on humanities and psychology, including Jeong Mun-jeong’s How to Smile and Deal with Rude People.

In a 2023 interview on You Quiz on the Block, Faker elaborated on his reasons for reading. When asked how one can become good at gaming, he responded, “I think you need to study a lot. In fact, I started reading to get better at gaming.” He further explained that even though gaming occurs within a digital environment, he learned valuable lessons about thinking and decision-making from books. These experiences have significantly shaped his perspective on gaming and life.

Faker also shared his evolving reading habits over the years. Until 2018, he focused heavily on humanities books, but after that, he shifted his attention to science, psychology, and especially neuroscience. As a professional gamer, he often pondered the mindset required for optimal performance and success. His continuous pursuit of knowledge through reading reflects his commitment to self-improvement and excellence in his field.

Conclusion

Faker’s recognition as a ‘Reader&Leader’ underscores the profound impact that reading can have on an individual’s life and career. His journey illustrates how literature can serve as a powerful tool for personal development and professional achievement. Through his involvement in the reading promotion campaign, he continues to inspire others, particularly young people, to embrace the habit of reading and explore its many benefits.