The Land of the Calm Dawn has mastered the art of war, and emerged as home to the most renowned StarCraft players on Earth. Do not arrive idle to this melee.

Starting with StarCraft and now through League of Legends (LoL), Korea has led the global esports industry for the last 20 years with the greatest pro players in skill and passion. In Seoul, the heart of Korean esports culture, there are places that “Charm” the hearts of gamers. If you count yourself among esports fans, trace the footsteps of legendary players and matches in this special trip through Korean esports culture.

1. T1 Base Camp

T1 Base Camp is the PC bang (Internet café) run by T1, a LoL team in which Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) of the LoL esports scene, plays as the mid-laner. All seats are equipped with high-end PCs, allowing you to play any game you might want. Other options include the Premium Room, which offers private spaces equipped with PC or console setups, and the Player’s Room, which allows you and your friends to play together like a real pro team. If you get peckish while playing, check out the selection of T1 players’ picks. From Faker’s Pick, “Blueberry Smoothie,” to Gumayusi’s Pick, “T1 Ramyeon,” and Oner’s Pick, “Chicken and Mayonnaise with Rice,” T1 Base Camp serves delectable classics of Korean PC bang culture.

At the entrance to the PC bang is the official T1 Shop. Here, you can purchase T1 merch like uniforms, headwear, smartphone cases, computer mice, keyboards, headsets, and other gaming devices. In the photo booths, you can take a four-cut photo using photo effects as if you were with your favorite T1 player. Another great tip for T1 fans: T1 Base Camp hosts viewing parties for match days featuring T1. What better way to maximize your fun than watching the match on a large screen and cheering for the team with like-minded fans?

LoL PARK

LoL Park is an esports arena dedicated to League of Legends (LoL) esports and the venue where the LoL Champions Korea (LCK) matches are held every year. Its design is inspired by the Colosseum, and the seating arrangement makes use of stadium seats to ensure that all seats have an unobstructed view of the game. Spectator seats are located only 5 meters away from the stage, so one can see the plays and even the player’s face vividly. The greatest charm of LoL Park is thus the fierce atmosphere of passion and engagement that unfolds right in front of one’s eyes, as if joining the game with the players on stage.

If you miss the match day, you don’t have to worry because LoL Park is like a theme park dedicated to the fans of LoL, full of things to see and enjoy. Head to the official Riot Store to find merch inspired by champions, or head to the exhibition hall to find the uniforms of pro teams and player statues. If you want more, head to the Riot Games PC Bang in LoL Park to make your own legend.

e-Sports Hall of Fame

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e-Sports Hall of Fame is an exhibition hall tracing the whole history of esports in Korea. The exhibition details how games were recognized as a sport and became a culture enjoyed by many around the world in the last 20 years. Inductees are designated as Honors, Heroes, and Stars, depending on their level of achievement. The exhibition dedicated to the inductees features the great achievements of players who have left their footprint in the global esports scene, from Lim “SlayerS_’BoxeR’” Yo-hwan to Hong “YellOw” Jin-ho, Jang “Moon” Jae-ho, and Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok. The exhibition also includes trophies these players won, the devices they used during their professional careers, uniforms, and handprints.

You can also see the highlights of legendary matches on a large screen. e-Sports Hall of Fame also includes experience zones, such as a broadcast studio where you can try your hand as a streamer and the Challengers Arena, where you can play games popular in esports.

Tour the Heart of the Global Esports Scene in Korea!

With nearly 40 million people enjoying games, Vietnam has a robust esports scene. The Korea Tourism Organization invited Vietnamese influencers and media representatives for a Fam Tour dedicated to Korean esports on March 2. In this six-day tour, the group visited LoL Park for an LCK match and experienced a variety of games and activities beloved by the younger generation in Korea. They visited an esports team to play with pros, learned a K-pop dance, and had a wonderful, fun time. We hope that this tour will help generate interest in Korean esports not only in Vietnam but also around the world.

* This column was last updated in April 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to confirm details before visiting.