Okay, big drama in the fandom world — a BL web novel was taken down almost immediately after readers pointed out that its main character looks way too much like a certain legendary pro gamer.
Ridibooks released a 19+ BL novel called A Mad Dog Hunts A Tiger on October 24, and by the 25th it was suspended. The protagonist, Beom Juhwan (nicknamed “Tiger”), is written as an unbeatable star player for a fictional team called Critique: debuting very young, piling up championship wins, leading the team with a dominant persona while also being socially awkward from growing up in pro gaming — basically the classic “genius but childlike” trope.
Fans were quick to point out that those details map almost directly onto Faker’s real-life arc: an early debut, multiple championship runs with the same storied org, and a career timeline that even references failed and regained title runs. The novel even uses phrasing like “re-peat” and “three-peat” in a way that many felt echoed Faker’s history with SKT/T1.
At first the author called it a “coincidence” and the book description stated it was entirely fictional. But after mounting backlash on X and online communities she issued an apology, saying she hadn’t realized how specific the parallels were, called her judgment “short-sighted,” and promised to revise problematic elements. Ridibooks now shows the title as temporarily suspended at the request of the publisher or copyright holder.
This incident has reignited debates about how close fiction can come to real public figures before it crosses ethical or legal lines — especially when the subject is someone as iconic in esports as Faker.
Quick fan facts:
- Faker’s real name is Lee Sang-hyeok — he’s one of the most recognizable names in League of Legends.
- He began his pro career as a teenager (debuted at 17), which is one reason stories about early-debut prodigies draw instant comparisons.
- T1 (formerly SKT) is one of League’s most storied organizations, known for long-term success and roster stability.
I’ll be watching to see how the author and Ridibooks follow up — whether the novel gets revised, reinstated, or stays suspended. Either way, it’s a reminder that when fiction borrows heavily from a living legend’s life, fans will notice fast.
Source: Koreaboo