The Asian Games: South Korea's Esports Stars Aim for Gold - A Chance at Military Exemption Adds to the Stakes

Gaming has reached a remarkable milestone as it has been chosen as an official medal sport for the Hangzhou Asian Games in the form of esports. However, competing in this tournament carries great significance for some players, potentially altering their lives in profound ways.

For male participants from South Korea, achieving a gold medal in the Asian Games or Olympic Games not only brings prestige, but it also grants them exemption from military service.

Compulsory military service is mandated for South Korean men, necessitating nearly all physically capable individuals to serve in the army for 18 months before turning 28. Nonetheless, South Korean legislation grants men who demonstrate exceptional talents in sports, popular culture, art, or higher education the opportunity to delay their service until the age of 30.

The careers of several prominent individuals in the country, including the renowned music group BTS, have been affected by the law. Presently, three BTS members are fulfilling their military service obligations, with band member Suga having commenced his duties on September 22.

Nevertheless, certain athletes, especially those who secure an Olympic or Asian Games gold medal, may be exempted from the mandatory duty.

Winning a gold medal at the Asian Games, like Oh Sang-uk achieved in the men's sabre this year in Hangzhou, means South Korean men earn an exemption from military duty.

In 2018, Son Heung-min, the captain of Tottenham Hotspur, a Premier League soccer team, was granted an exemption from mandatory military conscription in South Korea after securing a gold medal at the Asian Games.

Esports players who achieve success on the global stage could potentially find themselves in an uncommon situation where Korean men are granted a military exemption for their participation in video games. This exemption, although still necessitating a brief training period of three to four weeks, marks a notable advancement for the gaming industry in South Korea.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min salutes during the completion ceremony at a Marine Corps boot camp in Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea.

Republic of Korea Marine Corps/Getty Images

A divisive issue

The issue of military exemption for athletes based on their performances has caused division in South Korea. According to a survey conducted by the country's poll agency, Realmeter, after the 18th Asian Games in 2019, 55.2% of respondents supported granting exemption to gold medal-winning athletes, while 36.6% opposed it.

"Indeed, times have changed. It is only fair that esports should be granted equivalent legal recognition for exemption from military service," stated Shin Min-gu, a Seoul resident in his twenties, in an interview with CNN Sport.

"Considering the fact that esports originated in this country, it is appropriate for the nation to extend these privileges to its players."

"As our country has observed remarkable progress in the field of sports, and with the official recognition of esports as a legitimate competition, it is only fair that military service exemption benefits are equally granted to these athletes," stated Kim Sa-hee in an interview with CNN.

On September 19, 2023, a crowd gathers at the Qiantang River promenade in Hangzhou, China to witness the mesmerizing light display at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, in preparation for the upcoming 2022 Asian Games. (Source: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images)

China hosts the Asian Games with a grand mega stadium and a participation of 12,000 athletes. Nevertheless, there are individuals who view granting military service exemption to accomplished athletes from a contrasting viewpoint.

"I firmly believe in the importance of individuals fulfilling their national defense obligations. Although I recognize that athletes who win gold medals at the Asian Games contribute to elevating our country's prestige, I strongly believe that their accomplishments should be separate from military service," shared Lee Kyung-dae, a 35-year-old entrepreneur residing in Seoul, in a conversation with CNN.

Scheduled for September 27, the final match of FIFA Online 4 has the potential to grant South Korea its first-ever esports gold medal, thereby exempting the victorious Korean player from mandatory military service.

When questioned about the possibility of receiving a military exemption for winning the gold medal, 22-year-old FIFA 4 player Kwak Jun-hyouk admitted, "I do consider it, but focusing on the outcome of the gold medal would be overwhelming. Right now, my main focus is giving my best effort." Kwak, currently competing in the Losers Bracket final, still has the opportunity to secure the gold by winning his initial match and defeating Thailands Teedech Songsaisakul in the grand final.

The final of the League of Legends (LoL), one of the world's most popular esports titles and video games, is scheduled for September 29. This event presents a final chance for Lee Sang-hyeok, a South Korean LoL player widely known as Faker, to secure military service exemption. At the age of 27, Faker, who previously won a silver medal in a demonstration sport during the Asian Games in Jakarta five years ago, expressed his determination to win a gold medal in a press conference prior to the Hangzhou Games.

Seventeen-year-old Park Ki-young, the South Korean representative in FIFA 4, made it clear before starting the competition that his desire to win the esteemed gold medal was greater than obtaining a military exemption, which is the main reward for participating in a major event like the Asian Games. The involvement of esports and certain games in events like the Asian Games and potentially the Olympics is believed to attract a larger number of South Koreans, according to industry experts.

The evolution of gaming into esports

The inclusion of esports as an official medal event in the Asian Games, which started on September 23 and will continue until October 8, is a monumental decision that signifies a significant milestone for the industry. This move makes the Asian Games the first major international sports event to wholeheartedly embrace esports as a recognized discipline.

For decades, video games have been a cherished source of entertainment globally. Nevertheless, gaming has experienced a significant transformation since the late 1990s, reaching new heights with the emergence of professional leagues and the recognition of esports.

South Korea is widely recognized as the nation that played a crucial role in elevating competitive gaming, which was once a niche phenomenon, into the thriving worldwide esports industry we witness today.

The rise of this transformation can be attributed to several factors. These include the immense popularity of Blizzard's StarCraft, a real-time strategy game released in 1999 renowned for its sensational player-versus-player (PvP) gameplay. Additionally, the support of a government-backed fast broadband network, a gradual cultural acceptance of gaming as a profession, and the establishment of well-organized professional leagues played significant roles in facilitating its growth.

Michael Chow, the CEO of The Believer Company and former Vice President of Riot Games - the creator of League of Legends - concurs: "The extraordinary performance of South Korean players has significantly contributed to the elevation of these games to the level of a sport... They would not have achieved the status they hold today [without them]."

Faker training for the Asian Games with Team Korea.

Yoonjung Seo/CNN

StarCraft leagues and competitions have declined in popularity as an esport, while League of Legends (LoL) has maintained its position as one of the most popular games for more than a decade.

The highest level of competitive play in League of Legends is the "League of Legends World Championship." It started in 2011 with eight teams competing over three days and has grown to include 22 teams in the 2023 edition, spanning over a month of intense competition.

Faker, who is widely considered the greatest player in the history of League of Legends, holds the impressive record of three world titles and 10 championships within the Korean region.

Since joining the esports powerhouse T1 in 2013, previously known as SK Telecom 1, Faker has become a highly experienced veteran in the game. He is recognized as one of only two players to have achieved the remarkable feat of winning the World Championship three times.

Often compared to some of the greatest athletes in history, Fakers' influence on the world of esports has propelled him to immense popularity not only in South Korea but also in esports communities worldwide.

"He was among the pioneers who approached the game with a high degree of dedication, a quality that many other athletes in this field now possess. The combination of his exceptional talent and relentless work ethic parallels that of Michael Jordan," remarked Chow.

Faker is incredibly popular in South Korea, with his picture featuring on advertisements across the nation.

The 2022 grand final between Korean teams DRX and T1 broke the peak viewership record, attracting over 5.1 million concurrent viewers across multiple platforms. This surpassed the previous year's viewership by an impressive one million viewers.

The gaming industry is experiencing rapid growth and is now one of the biggest sectors in the global entertainment industry. In 2023, it generated a total revenue of $227 billion, a figure that is expected to increase even further to $312 billion by 2027, as shown in a recent report by PwC.

Notably, Tencent, the parent company of Riot Games, achieved a revenue of $23.28 billion in 2022. Microsoft Studios also performed well, generating around $16.2 billion through Xbox Game Studios during the same period. To put this into perspective, the entire global recorded music market generated $26.2 billion of revenue in 2022, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

An Olympic future?

Seven games will be featured as official medal events at the 19th Asian Games, building on the success of the pilot event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games.

The official medal titles will include EA Sports FC Online (previously known as FIFA Online 4), PUBG Mobile (Peace Elite Asian Games version), Arena of Valor (Asian Games version), League of Legends, DOTA 2, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, and Street Fighter 5. A total of 21 medals will be awarded to esports competitors and teams.

The venue for the Asian Games esports competitions is state-of-the-art and an impressive sight to see.

Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images

The gaming events will be hosted in an expansive 82,000-square-meter stadium equipped with 4,500 seats and four large screens.

Furthermore, the introduction of a state-of-the-art 5G Advanced digital network, purportedly boasting a speed that is ten times faster than the conventional 5G gigabit network, will be implemented to elevate the gaming experience for both enthusiasts and participants. Consequently, the inclusion of esports as an official medal event in the Asian Games has sparked discussions about its potential integration into the Olympic Games.

In June, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) organized the Olympic Esports Series, signaling its tentative entry into the world of esports.

Michael Chow, the CEO of The Believer Company and former Vice President of Riot Games pictured in Seoul in September 2023.

Maekyung Media Group

The series showcased virtual sports, dance, archery, and other less known games, eliciting mixed reactions from existing fans, ranging from indifference to anger. Rowan Crothers, a two-time Paralympic champion and esports enthusiast, expressed his disappointment regarding the chosen titles for the Olympics in March.

"I am a Paralympic champion, holding the title of the fastest swimmer with a disability worldwide. Nevertheless, I acknowledge that I will never reach the level required to become an Olympic swimmer," Crothers stated on X (formerly Twitter).

"While in esports, I am able to compete at the most elite level, facing both able-bodied opponents and alongside them. However, it is important to distinguish that this circumstance pertains to virtual traditional sports, not esports."

Esports analyst Jess Bolden took it one step further, saying on X that the IOC "should be ashamed" and that "none of the featured games are actual esports."

Can esports make an official entry into the Olympic Games program?

Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images

The IOC has published a FAQ on its website for the inaugural Olympic Esports Week, explaining the process of selecting the games. According to the FAQ, the Olympic Games has always had a varied program, and in order to create a similarly diverse program for the Olympic Esports Series 2023, the IOC has collaborated with International Federations (IFs) who propose partnerships with game developers.

When evaluating proposals, the IOC prioritizes ensuring that the chosen games for the Olympic Esports Series are in line with the Olympic Values.

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"Including aspects like removing technical barriers to entry, promoting gender equality among players, and preventing any form of personal violence, the aim of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to foster global unity through peaceful competition. Despite the criticism surrounding the chosen titles, there remains a significant level of optimism within the industry regarding the eventual inclusion of esports in the official Olympic program."

Chow asserts that a substantial aspect in facilitating this transition is enhancing "the overall engagement of fans watching traditional esports titles from the comfort of their homes," guaranteeing that both veteran and novice spectators can derive pleasure from the matches.

Esports faces a challenge in its quest to become an Olympic medal event due to the intricacies found in certain titles. Take League of Legends, for instance, which is regarded as one of the most intricate games to follow, even for experienced esports enthusiasts, due to its vast array of over 100 characters and diverse strategic approaches.

The complexity gap between certain games is a prime example of the challenges emphasized by Chow. Although it may be effortless for even novices to comprehend games like Street Fighter and PUBG, the intricacy of games like DOTA 2 or League of Legends, where two teams of five contend with over 100 unique characters, each possessing distinct abilities, hinders even the understanding of regular esports enthusiasts.

Overcoming the acceptance of esports across various generations and regions poses another challenge. According to Niko Partners, Asia dominates the global esports market, representing more than 57% of it. Although the future of esports as an Olympic medal event remains uncertain, the gaming industry is continually expanding and attracting a younger, more passionate audience.

With a strong determination, young participants at the Asian Games are committed to playing their role, demonstrating their abilities, and raising the prominence of esports internationally. Their efforts contribute to turning the aspiring Olympic dream into a tangible reality.

According to Kwak's interview with CNN, there has been an unprecedented surge in interest and attention towards esports, specifically FIFA 4. He expressed hopes that if they achieve favorable outcomes at the Asian Games, this heightened enthusiasm will be sustained. Consequently, they are dedicating significant effort towards achieving this goal.