SEOUL — Park So-yeon is poised to make history as the first woman to represent South Korea’s national e-sports team at the upcoming Asian Games, signaling a step forward in a field traditionally dominated by men. At 23 years old, Park will compete in the survival horror game Identity V when the Games take place from September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya and the surrounding Aichi region of Japan.

Park is the sole female member among South Korea’s 36 e-sports competitors attending the event. She expressed a strong commitment to her role, emphasizing the responsibility she feels to pave the way for more women in competitive gaming. A college graduate with a background in taekwondo, Park said she intends to “go all out and have no regrets,” highlighting both her determination and the significance of her position as a trailblazer.

South Korea remains a dominant force in the global e-sports arena and will be led by Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as Faker. The 2023 Asian Games gold medalist in League of Legends, Faker played a pivotal role in South Korea’s success at last year’s event in Hangzhou, China. He acknowledged the high expectations placed on the team by South Korean fans and emphasized his commitment to securing top honors once again in 2026.

“Since the South Korean people have high hopes for the e-sports category, I want to fulfil that hope and give them back pride and honour,” Faker said. “I will do my very best in my role to ensure that our team wins the championship and brings back the gold medal.”

E-sports were officially recognized as a medal event for the first time at the 2023 Asian Games, where South Korea earned two golds, one silver, and one bronze, finishing second behind China in the overall medal standings. The 2026 Games will feature an expanded lineup with 13 different e-sports titles included in the competition, reflecting the growing prominence and diversification of the sport.

As Park So-yeon prepares to break new ground for female gamers in South Korea, the nation’s e-sports team aims to maintain its status as a powerhouse in this rapidly evolving domain at the upcoming Games in Japan.