T1 Responds to Political Use of Faker's Signature Pose by Candidate Kim Moon-soo

Kim Moon-soo, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, has sparked controversy by using a parody of professional gamer Lee Sang-hyeok, known as Faker, in his campaign photos. In response, T1, Faker's team, issued a statement clarifying that Faker does not endorse any political stance or campaign. On May 6, T1 announced via their official social media that they had noticed instances where Faker's image and phrases were used in political contexts. They expressed concern that such usage could lead to misunderstandings regarding Faker's image and its interpretation in a political light. T1 emphasized their commitment to ensuring that the player does not suffer any repercussions from these incidents and is taking steps to remove such posts. The controversy arose after Kim's campaign released a photo parodying Faker's signature 'shh' pose, which he often uses during interviews and photo opportunities to silently respond to criticism from opposing teams. The campaign explained that they borrowed this pose as part of a trend among younger audiences, aiming to symbolize a connection to contemporary cultural sentiments. Additionally, Kim shared a photo on his Facebook account featuring his signature alongside Faker's, captioned with the phrase, 'I will take responsibility, it's over! It's over!' This phrase is a well-known motivational quote from Faker during matches, recognized by esports fans as emblematic of his persona.