We have landed in Korea. There’s only a couple of hours before the big finale begins between Samsung White and the underdog Star Horn Royal Club. And the anticipation is infectious on the streets of Seoul.
– I’m really looking forward to the games. League of Legends is huge here in Korea, but only amongst men, said Lee Kangheon while his girlfriend nodded and told us that she hates LoL.

One of the worlds biggest sporting events is just around the corner. In a few hours more than 30 million people will tune in to one or the other stream form the World Cup Stadium in Seoul. Approximately 40 000 will be in attendance and the vast majority will probably root for the home team, Samsung White.
– Imagine if White lose? That would bring on a gigantic feeling of shame and I’m scared it can happen because SHRC is really a great team, Lee Kangheon told Aftonbladet Esport.

How big is League of Legends here in Korea?
–  League of Legends is huge here in Korea, but only amongst young men. My girlfriend and my parents is not at all interested despite that the entire world will be tuning in to an event held here in Korea.

”It is something that men do”

While walking around the metropolitan area of Seoul, you’ll stumble upon the occasional cosplay. But in the analog newspapers the games shines in its absence. However, as it should be, you will find the content you are looking for online. The 24 year old Jun Hee Han told us that he reading up on anything he can find before the grand final, he even falls asleep watching games prior to sundays showdown.
– I play a lot, but I’m not particularly good at it. Unfortunately I will not be able to see the matches live in the stadium, but I most definitely will see the game online, he told Aftonbladet Esport.

Jun’s girlfriend, who choose to remain anonymous, told us that she also plays the game on almost a daily basis. But she also told us that it is really uncommon amongst girls to be playing any kind of esport.
– It is something that men do here, not girls, she said and continued:
– I will not miss the finale for anything in the world.