Ridibooks Yanks Controversial BL Novel Following Outcry Over Uncanny Parallels to Esports Legend Faker

The digital publishing sector in South Korea is currently facing significant controversy following the abrupt suspension of the BL (Boys Love) title A Mad Dog Catches the Tiger by Ridibooks, a prominent platform for web novels. This drastic measure was taken in response to intense public backlash. The online community accused the adult-rated novel of overtly mirroring the professional career path of League of Legends superstar Lee Sang-hyeok, known globally as Faker.

The novel, which premiered on October 24 and features explicit romantic and sexual content between male characters, was quickly removed from circulation. Readers immediately identified striking and seemingly intentional biographical parallels between the fictional protagonist and Faker's celebrated history in professional esports.

The core of the allegations centers on the protagonist's narrative arc, which closely tracks a sequence of victories identical to the esports icon's real-life timeline. This includes achieving two consecutive championships, suffering a devastating defeat while attempting a third straight title, enduring an extended hiatus, and subsequently returning a decade later to finally secure the coveted three-peat championship.

These fictional events align closely with Faker's actual history: his consecutive World Championship wins in 2015 and 2016, the painful loss in 2017, and his subsequent triumphant return to claim World Championship titles in 2023. The story extends this parallel by depicting further fictional wins in 2024 and 2025. Furthermore, the novel describes the protagonist's team struggling significantly during his absence, an element that resonates with the real-world performance difficulties faced by Faker's organization following his wrist injury in 2023.

The resulting public outcry involved fans expressing profound discomfort and anger over what they perceived as the exploitation of Faker's personal and professional life to form the basis of a sexually explicit narrative. Initially, author Lee Eun-gyu dismissed the similarities, claiming the story was purely fictional. However, as pressure mounted across digital platforms, the author retracted this stance and issued a formal public apology to Faker and his dedicated fanbase.

The apology acknowledged the author's oversight and conveyed deep regret for the resulting scandal. Ridibooks has since confirmed the complete delisting of A Mad Dog Catches the Tiger, effectively removing it from purchase and viewing access. This high-profile incident highlights the increasingly complex ethical challenges surrounding the use of public figures as inspiration for creative works, especially those involving adult themes. The controversy has initiated a crucial broader discussion regarding creative boundaries, responsible storytelling practices, and the moral obligations of both authors and major digital publishers in the interconnected modern media landscape.