Critical Analysis of LCK’s Decision to Halt Fan Meetings at ‘LOL Park’

‘Roll Park’ located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. LCK matches are held here. (Photo = Reporter Seonwoo Yunho)

LCK (Korea League of Legends Champions), which raised its status last year with Faker Lee Sang-hyeok’s fourth World Championship victory, receives criticism from fans ahead of the new season, saying, “They expect too much when they can’t even doing the basics.”

The LCK previously announced that it would not hold fan meetings at ‘LOL Park’ starting from the upcoming spring 2024 season. The reason is “lack of space.”

Since 2019, the author has visited ‘LOL Park’ located near Jonggak Station several times to gain insight into the LCK, and has remained an avid ‘LCK fan’, including being caught on the LCK season end screen.

While listening to various news in preparation for the upcoming 2024 season, I heard news about the suspension of fan meetings and various price increases, including similar ticket prices.

Visited KBS Arena to watch the 2023 World Championship. (Photo = Reporter Seonwoo Yunho)

‘There will be no fan meetings on site, but various prices, including ticket prices, will be raised.’

First of all, as someone who has experienced countless LoL parks, I don’t understand the “lack of space” stated by the LCK. So, has the fan meeting from 2019 so far been ’empowering to create a space that did not exist before and hold the fan meeting’?

These questions are also common among LCK fans. The fans who heard the news about LCK canceling the fan meeting and the reason asked, “Have you had a fan meeting at the stadium so far?” “Because the existing space has been eliminated, there is no place for communication.” “If they are going to remove the fan meeting, why are the games being played offline?” It shows critical responses like “Do you do it?” and “How is it different from watching it at home?”

Unlike a specific sport that calls itself a sport, this event can be explained by comparing it to football, a self-proclaimed ‘popular sport’ as follows.

Stamford Bridge in London, in 2017. This is the home stadium of EPL club Chelsea. FYI, I am not a Chelsea fan, but a Liverpool fan of 9 years. (Photo = Reporter Seonwoo Yunho)

For the new season of the EPL (English Premier League), the secretariat said, “Due to the lack of space in the football stadium, it is forbidden to take pictures with players or get autographs on uniforms. However, the price of entrance tickets and uniforms is increase compared to last season.” It can be considered similar to announcing, “I will do it.”

After hearing this analogy, some people may point out, “Is LoL Park’s ability and EPL’s ability the same?” However, before making that point, shouldn’t ‘LOL Park’ have been built in a location other than Jonggak?

This is not the first time that Riot Korea and the LCK have been criticized. In the past, they have received a lot of criticism from LCK fans and have been the subject of various controversies.

However, in the case of this debate about ‘stopping fan meetings’, it is even more painful as harsh criticism is being raised that “there are a lot of expectations while failing to follow the basics.”

Suwon Samsung players greet fans after last year’s K League 1 match. FYI, I am a fan of Suwon Samsung for 3 years. (Photo = Reporter Seonwoo Yunho)

When looking at other sports, communication and interaction with fans is ‘fundamental’. As the famous saying goes, “I exist because of the fans,” skin contact with fans on and off the field is the most fundamental and important part.

Of course, if you follow sports, this applies; otherwise, you don’t need to attach importance to it.

Meanwhile, in response to various news coming in before the 2024 spring season, LCK fans say, “Just play in your accommodation,” “What do you think about the fans?”, “Why go if you raise the price and reduce the price. qualities?”, “There’s no reason to go straight,” and “Fan meeting.” They are angry with responses like “I don’t understand why they are getting rid of it.”

Reporter Sunwoo Yunho yuno93@pennmike.com

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