The LCK second-stage regular season, after a two-day break, is about to kick off its second week of matches. This stage of LCK resembles our region somewhat: previously strong teams have collectively underperformed. GEN played four matches and lost two, tying with T1, DK, and NS in standings. Meanwhile, previously underperforming KT and HLE have suddenly surged. KT achieved a four-match winning streak, directly topping the leaderboard, and HLE also posted a 3-1 record.

GEN, this domestic tournament powerhouse, might have been mentally shattered after losing to G2 in the Pioneer stage. Coupled with Ruler's tax evasion scandal, the team's form has been unstable. Originally, Ruler's tax evasion issue had reached a conclusion: Korea changed military service rules, forcing many professional players in Eternal Recurrence to retire due to the rule changes, but Ruler himself didn't receive severe punishment—only his public image worsened somewhat.

When everyone had stopped discussing Ruler's tax evasion incident, fans suddenly stepped up and put him back in the spotlight. GEN fans recently discussed in forums similar to super topics how to salvage Ruler's image. One clever individual suggested: within the LOL community, find someone more famous and influential than Ruler, expose a similar or even bigger scandal, and his image could recover somewhat.

After this proposal, GEN fans began searching for targets. Old Lee, who has global influence, received the Blue Dragon Medal, and has commemorative coins and stamps issued, became their target for rumors. Seeing this suggestion, many fans immediately agreed. They dug up that Old Lee's agency once had two months of tax arrears and used this to spread rumors, claiming Faker also evaded taxes.

Once this rumor spread, the LCK esports circle exploded. But most viewers were rational, thinking GEN fans weren't targeting Old Lee but rather wishing Ruler's downfall wasn't fast enough. Because recipients of the Blue Dragon Medal undergo background checks before award—only qualified individuals receive it. T1 fans, seeing this rumor, directly contacted the club demanding clarification.

Faker's agency responded immediately: regarding online defamation, civil and criminal legal measures will be pursued. GEN fans who spread rumors about Old Lee's tax evasion might face severe penalties this time. Interestingly, those spreading rumors posted in GEN forums, and the section manager remained indifferent throughout. After exposure, the manager began shifting blame, saying managing the section was exhausting.

Extreme fans posted rumors, section managers ignored them—it seems GEN fans are all in cahoots. The rumor about Old Lee's agency tax arrears is already resolved; the arrears were paid long ago, and agency matters are unrelated to Old Lee personally. GEN fans, to prevent Ruler from being criticized, organizedly spread false information maliciously.

Currently, similar smear campaigns still exist. Could it be that fans aren't satisfied unless Ruler is severely punished? If targeting someone else, they might succeed in dragging them down, but choosing Lee as target is unwise. Ruler himself, seeing this rumor, probably felt stunned. Originally, the tax evasion舆论 was fading, but fans' rumor about Old Lee pushed him back into the fire.

Conclusion:

Faker as LCK's representative, smearing him equals targeting the region. This "I have problems, so you must too" mindset is truly extreme. If Old Lee really had issues, they'd have been exposed long ago—the number one in League of Legends, how many people watch him? Yet to date, no one has exposed his scandals.

What's your take on this rumor?

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