I still can't believe my eyes! In 2025, South Korea exploded with the most bizarre esports scandal imaginable—a steamy 'boy love' web novel got suspended because its protagonist was an unmistakable carbon copy of our undisputed GOAT, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok! 🤯 The novel titled A Mad Dog Catches The Tiger had fans and critics alike screaming "plagiarism" as its main character Tiger mirrored Faker's iconic career down to the tiniest details. As someone who's followed esports religiously since Faker's debut, I'm telling you—this is crazier than a pentakill in a bronze-ranked game!
The parallels? Oh, they're spine-tingling! Tiger's journey reads like Faker's biography on steroids:
🔥 Nickname Nightmare: Tiger's moniker "Unkillable Demon King"—sound familiar? That's Faker's legendary title since 2015!
🏆 Championship Chaos: Tiger wins back-to-back Worlds titles, then returns a decade later to clinch a three-peat. Hello? That's exactly what Faker achieved in 2025 after his historic sixth Worlds victory!
🩹 Wrist-Injury Drama: Just like Faker's 2023 hiatus that tanked T1's performance, Tiger gets sidelined with—you guessed it—a wrist injury! Coincidence? I think NOT!
Even the author's frantic apologies couldn't save it. Ridibooks yanked the novel faster than a support stealing ADC's kill! But honestly, how could anyone NOT see the resemblance? Faker isn't just a player—he's a cultural monument! With six Worlds trophies (yes, SIX as of November 2025!), he's practically esports royalty.
People Also Ask
❓ Is Faker really the only possible inspiration for Tiger?
Let's be real—while legends like StarCraft's Flash exist, Faker's mythos is uniquely cinematic: underdog triumphs, devastating setbacks, god-tier comebacks. Who else could fit this script?
❓ Did the novel intentionally sexualize Faker?
The author swears it's accidental... but come on! When your character's career arc matches Faker's step-for-step, eyebrows will rise higher than a Yasuo ultimate!
❓ How did fans react to the suspension?
K-netizens went nuclear! Memes flooded forums comparing Tiger's achievements to Faker's real-life glory. Some even joked: "Tiger needs two more Worlds wins to catch up!" 😂
Here's the kicker—Tiger only won FIVE championships in the novel, while our Demon King just bagged his SIXTH title this year! Talk about fiction being outshined by reality! 🌟 The wrist injury subplot? Pure 2023 T1 nostalgia. Remember when Faker's absence made the team implode? His return literally saved their season! The novel copied that beat like a scripted Korean drama.
| Real-Life Faker (2025) | Novel's "Tiger" | Uncanny Similarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| 6× Worlds Champion | 5× Champion | 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 |
| "Unkillable Demon King" | Same Nickname | 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 |
| 2023 Wrist Injury Break | Identical Plot | 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 |
| 2025 Three-Peat Victory | Mirror Storyline | 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 |
So, was it homage or exploitation? The controversy rages on, but one thing's crystal clear: Faker's legacy is so monumental that even erotic fiction can't resist his storyline. I mean, when your career inspires BL novels, you've truly transcended esports!
And after all this madness? I'm left wondering—is ANYTHING about Faker's life NOT novel-worthy? From underdog to six-time champ, his journey feels scripted by destiny itself. Maybe next time, authors should just ask permission... or better yet, stick to original characters! Because let's face it—imitating a living legend? That's a one-way ticket to cancellation city! 🔥