The 2023 League of Legends World Championship is in full swing, with the fourth round of the new Swiss stage starting today. But while stars like T1’s Faker are competing in the event, they’re not the ones fans can’t keep their eyes off.
That honor instead goes to South Korean League of Legends personality and MSI and Worlds referee Shin Sung-bo, who has captured international viewers’ hearts with his deadpan delivery while drawing team matchups. The fan reaction has gotten him so much attention that it is actually included in his Fandom wiki entry as what he’s now best known for.
Fans began noticing his nonchalant drawing style during the Swiss stage; while the spectators and casters in the venue were freaking out over huge matchups, Shin was completely expressionless.
“I actually love this ref because there’s no reaction after anything,” said one of the casters during the third round draw. “He’s just stone-faced.”
They weren’t the only ones to notice, with fans posting on social media to voice their appreciation for Shin’s stalwart mentality while drawing.
“This worlds draw ref is literally my favorite part of worlds,” user @haliadion wrote. “Alskjd absolutely iconic.”
Former pro player and current freelance caster Sam “Kobe” Hartman-Kenzler joined the fun too, tweeting out “Mr. Worlds ref my [goat emoji]” with a meme showing a man looking into a mirror. The meme showed Shin reflected with the caption: “visualizing in the mirror the man I want to become.”
The official LoL Twitter account even got in on the jokes, posting a gif of deadpan Shin with the caption “*boss music starts playing*.”
The surviving teams will resume the Swiss stage starting on Oct. 26, and the stage will end on Oct. 29. The eight remaining teams will move on to the Worlds 2023 knockout stage starting on Nov. 2.
