No pain, no game: how South Korea turned itself into a gaming powerhouse

December 25, 2025

TL;DR

South Korea has reversed its stance on gaming, with the President declaring games are not addictive substances, a stark contrast to previous legislative efforts to classify gaming as an addiction.
The domestic gaming market has seen substantial growth, expanding by 47% between 2019 and 2023 to 22.96tn won, with industry exports rising 41% to 10.96tn won.
Esports, organized competitive gaming, plays a vital role as a showcase and marketing engine for the gaming industry.
South Korea now ranks fourth globally in gaming market share.
Gaming academies, like Nongshim Esports, offer intensive training for aspiring professional players, though the success rate for becoming a professional is estimated at 1-2%.
Top-tier professional players can earn well into six figures through salaries, prize money, and sponsorships.
The government is implementing measures to balance industry growth with player protection, including capping training hours and supporting 'healing centres' for those with excessive immersion.

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