Everyone has their favorite LoL characters, and they likely have preferred players they like to see winning the games. Song “Rookie” Eui-jin was born in March 1997 and is the South Korean midlaner for Invictus Gaming.
Sometimes, his name is stylized as RoOkiE, RooKiE, or RooKie, but they’re all the same man.
He first found this game in 2011 when he was 14 years old and became the up-and-coming talent on the competitive scene pretty early.
In 2013, Rookie signed on with KT Rolster Arrows, the sister team for KT Rolster. The team did well during the first two Splits and finished 5th and 8th at the Champions Spring, finishing first at the Champions Summer 2014. Rookie impressed everyone with his play on the champions (Syndra and Orianna), which are his two signature choices now.
Though the team couldn’t qualify for World Champion because of their ages, Rookie went on to get traded onto Invictus Gamings for 2014. He played with this team for over six years, but the 2015/2016 year was quiet for the mid-laner and the organization.
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However, in 2017, Invictus signed other up-and-coming stars, such as JackeyLove and TheShy, which turned things around immediately for the squad. They ended up finishing third in the LPL Summer 2017 and almost qualified for the Worlds. However, with great coaching, the performance signaled change.
The Invictus team was fourth in the LPL Spring 2018 and just barely lost to Royal Never Give Up. Most LoL fans considered this the overall best game of the year. They did qualify for the 2018 Worlds and proved their dominance.
2019 and Beyond
Rookie continued with Invictus Gaming in 2019, starting the season strong and winning the LPL Spring Season. His team’s 3-0 win against JD Gaming led them to qualify for the Mid-Season Invitational, where they won all but one game.
Who Is Faker Junior?
Many people refer to Rookie as Faker Junior because he debuted around the same time and had a great run. Though some call Faker the best, Rookie is definitely a close second because of his skill and passion for the game.
In fact, Rookie is the only other player to reach 2,500 kills (the other was Faker). Both of those records were recent (within the 2021 year).
Where He Is Now
Rookie ended up leaving Invictus Gaming when the season ended in 2021. Though he tried to carry the fading team, he knew it was a losing battle. Since he’s one of the best League of Legends players of all time, he was sure to land on his feet in 2022.
The midlaner played the 2022 season for Victory Five, then spent 2023 with Top Esports and 2024 with Ninjas in Pyjamas (Victory Five’s new name). He returned to Invictus Gaming for 2025, reached Worlds 2025 with the team, and helped iG qualify for Worlds 2026. His contract runs through 2027.
Conclusion
Is Rookie one of the best LoL players ever? The answer is a resounding yes. Though some people might feel that Faker has taken the top spot, fans are staying loyal to Rookie, through his moves to Victory Five, Top Esports and Ninjas in Pyjamas and his return to Invictus Gaming. He’s not done, and he is back on the Worlds stage with iG in 2026.
