When it comes to esports teams and tournaments, South Korea is known to possess some of the best teams and players in the world making them favorites in any tournaments they participate in. Most people wonder why is Korea so good at esports and why they consistently have the best players across all games. In this article, we are going to dive into esports in Korea, its cultural history and more.
Image via KBS
In case you are wondering just how big is esports in Korea let’s look into the benefits of esports and how esports has affected the country’s gaming culture over the years. Global gamers are aware that South Korea is where esports originated. Compared to other nations, it has developed quickly. In Korea, gaming matches were even shown on several cable channels.
Originating in South Korea, the gaming culture swiftly extended to China, Europe, and the United States. The Korea Esports Association (KeSPA) was promptly established by the Korean government to oversee esports in the country. KeSPA is a participant in the South Korean National Olympic Committee. They were also instrumental in the construction of the first Esports stadium in history, which was completed in Yongsan in 2005.
(Image via KeSPA) – Korean e-Sports Association – Formed to promote and regulate esports in the country.
In Korea nowadays, esports are managed akin to a professional sports franchise league. The professional players receive wages every season, and the format is designed to be extremely competitive. Consequently, this essay will examine esports in Korea and explore the Korean gaming scene that produced professional players.
Korea has some of the richest esports players in the world and that is played to how large the esports industry is The esports sector has grown to be a billion-dollar business. Since the late 1970s, professional competitive video gaming has been increasing yearly. Tens of millions more people have watched esports events in the past few years, with over 450 million doing so in 2019. In 2022, the total revenue generated by esports exceeded $1.3 billion. Revenue from sales of necessary esports gear, like as headsets and gaming terms, is not taken into account.
Million-dollar esports arenas are being constructed all around the world, with Asia being the primary location. Asia-Pacific accounts for more than half of the largest esports fans, with Europe coming in second at 16%. For instance, the Chinese Ministry of Education included gaming and esports in its postgraduate and vocational curricula because the sport is so popular there. Esports may also potentially be featured in the Asian Games.
(Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul – League of Legends 2023 Worlds Finals) – Image via Lolesports
More people will have access to computers and the internet as technology advances. Thus, esports has the potential to develop into a truly global sport – something the world has never seen before.
In Korea, the elder generation has put a lot of effort into providing their kids with a life that they were denied. The lives of Korea’s younger generation, dubbed the “IT Generation” by some, have been comparatively simple. Most people concentrate on engaging in joyful activities. As a result, Koreans are constantly seeking new things and are enthralled with new technologies. Because gaming blends innovation and technology, it is therefore the ideal setting. Koreans can always have a consistent supply of new games to try because new games are released each year.
(Faker named as “esports player of the decade”) – Image via ESTNN
Furthermore, South Korea’s mobile gaming sector is expanding, and even the elderly are joining in. In Korea, gaming has integrated into the national identity. Games like League of Legends, PUBG and World of WarCraft are some of the most popular esports in Korea with gamers looking into how to join an esports team to showcase their skills and acquire the fame that comes with it.
Most people might believe that video games are just for younger people. That isn’t the case, though. In Korea, the majority of people will be using their smartphones as they get on the subway. Roughly 50% of them are engaged in mobile gaming. These are all ages of Koreans. Many people are well aware of Korea’s harsh labor ethic. The situation became so bad that the Korean government had to pass legislation requiring big businesses to reduce employee workweeks from 68 to 52 hours. They should therefore enjoy themselves during their free time. This explains the culture of heavy drinking in Korea. They enjoy playing games at home or while commuting, and they like to party hard at night.
Therefore one can say Korea is the best nation not only for esport players and teams but for the gaming culture as well. The benefits of esports show all over Korea and its players as more and more gamers strive to become a professional esports player. While other countries like the US and the UK have the media attention, it is always clear which country has the best team, best esports athletes, and esports culture, and that is Korea.
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