Park So-yeon will represent South Korea as its first female national team player in esports at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya and Aichi, Japan [1, 2, 3]. The 23-year-old will compete in the asymmetric survival horror game Identity V, marking a historic milestone for women in South Korean esports [1, 2, 3].
South Korea's esports team for the 2026 Asian Games includes 36 players, with Park being the sole female member [1, 2, 3]. Park, who majored in taekwondo in college, said she feels "a great responsibility to pave the way for other women athletes who love playing games as much as I do," adding her commitment to "give my all and leave no regrets" [1, 2].
Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as Faker, will lead the South Korean team. Faker was part of the 2023 Asian Games squad that won gold in League of Legends and said, "Since the South Korean people have high hopes for the eSports category I want to fulfil that hope and give them back pride and honour" [1, 2].
Esports was included as a medal event for the first time at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where South Korea won two golds, one silver, and one bronze medal, finishing second in the overall esports medal count behind China [1, 2, 3]. The 2026 Asian Games will expand the esports lineup to 13 titles [1, 2, 3].
Park’s participation arrives as esports gains wider recognition and as South Korea aims to build on the success of its previous medal runs. The Asian Games esports events will run from September 19 to October 4, with Park competing in Identity V among other national team members [1, 2, 3].
