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Faker reflects on recent controversial post-game press conference
On the 4th of April, the LCK audience witnessed a one-sided domination from Hanwha Life Esports over reigning Worlds champions T1 in the Upper Round 2 series. HLE took the series 3-0, with an incredible performance over T1.
However, in the aftermath of the series, T1 mid laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok took the opportunity to admit that while the team did perform badly, he attributed the loss mainly to a dip in form from the T1 side.
T1’s Situation Thus Far
Reportedly, the entire T1 roster has been subjected to DDoS attacks on their accounts since December, leading to none of the players being able to practice on their main accounts in Solo Queue for over 2 weeks.
T1 GM Jeong “becker” Hoi-yoon clarified on the situation several days ago:
“At first, T1 players experienced quite a lot of DDoS attacks during solo rank matches on their personal streams. So, initially, when we first became aware of it, we didn’t see it as just a T1-specific problem or T1 facing difficult circumstances. We perceived it more as a regrettable issue occurring openly in the current landscape of internet broadcasting and streaming. That’s how we saw it to be honest. But since then, we’ve also seen DDoS attacks targeting the LCK and there have been actual issues where the LCK couldn’t proceed normally. When we observed various cases, most of the DDoS attacks during player’s personal streams occurred during solo rank matches. These attacks not only targeted our team members and opponents but also directly affected our team. We were aware of this issue in late February to early March. Since then, the attacks continued not only during personal streams but also in solo rank matches after the streams ended or on days without streams. Since then, there were instances where none of the players could proceed normally due to the attacks. Later on, we experienced DDoS attacks during scrims as well. Due to this, scrims also couldn’t proceed normally.”
Moreover, reports have also indicated that attempts to scrim with other LCK rosters have also met similar difficulties, with DDoS attacks delaying server connections for players for multiple hours.
This has led to T1 being reportedly unable to practice leading up to the LCK Playoffs. Despite being one of the overwhelming favorites within the league, T1’s lackluster performance coupled with Faker’s shocking revelations in the post-match press conference, led to extremely controversial responses on both sides.
Faker’s Post-Game Press Conference
“While we were practicing for Playoffs, we were unable to practice in Solo Queue, unlike the other teams who could. So, I think our performance declined quite a bit overall. And overall, I think we played poorer than I expected, compared to what we were capable of.”
T1 were supplied with alternate hidden accounts by Riot, however, due to the difference in MMR, the practice has reportedly still been suboptimal according to coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-hyun. Speaking on if there were improvements in T1’s practice conditions:
“Well, for practice, besides scrims, in Solo Queue – there are big differences, including MMR. I do think that we have been experiencing a big disadvantage.”
Faker admitted that while missing some Solo Queue game time would not drastically impact the team’s performance, he added that he believed the team was not given a ‘fair opportunity to practice’ compared to other teams heading into Playoffs.
“The best we can do in the time remaining is to overcome this poor environment and prepare to the best of our abilities.”
Incensed by Faker’s Words
Faker’s attribution of their loss to outside factors was not taken well by many in the community. A vocal minority saw it was an excuse to disrespect HLE’s victory in the series regardless of the mid laner’s intentions with his words.
In response, Faker made a response today to course correct the narrative surrounding the controversial press conference:
“I was venting my frustration because we lost the game so badly. I looked back on (the remarks) and reflected a lot. As a pro player, many people will empathize with us and it’s my fault for mentioned factors outside of the game in a post-loss interview. I deeply learned what’s important is not what I say but how it’s conveyed to the other person. I realized that I lacked consideration for the other person.”
T1 will next face a rematch against HLE after their victory against DAMWON Kia.
Credit: Liu YiCun/Riot Games
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