ShowMaker

Who Is ShowMaker?

Heo “ShowMaker” Su is a highly accomplished South Korean professional League of Legends player. He is renowned for his exceptional mid lane skills and strategic prowess. His most significant achievement is winning the World Championship in 2020 — a testament to his exceptional talent and team synergy.

With over 350 professional matches played and approximately $563,000 in career prize money, ShowMaker is considered one of the best mid laners in the world. Furthermore, he currently serves as the mid laner and captain of Dplus KIA — a long-time member since 2019 who has earned multiple All-Pro honors for his mechanical prowess and game-carrying ability.

In the world of Korean esports, few names carry more weight than ShowMaker.

Early Life: From a Young Gamer to a Challenger Prospect

Birth and Background

Heo “ShowMaker” Su was born on July 22, 2000, in South Korea. He grew up during the golden era of Korean esports. League of Legends was already the biggest competitive game in the country. It captured his attention early. It never let go.

Joining the Scene Before the Spotlight

Heo “ShowMaker” Su joined DAMWON Gaming in 2017, while the team was still in Challengers Korea. From there, he took his steps higher, aiming for a higher goal each year.

He made his professional debut during the 2017 KeSPA Cup. He was only 17 years old. Even then, his potential was undeniable. The competitive League of Legends community took notice immediately.

Career Journey: The Making of a World Champion

LCK Debut and First Major Victory (2018)

ShowMaker’s professional journey began in September 2018 with Dplus KIA, then known as DAMWON Gaming. His debut was in the LCK 2018 Summer tournament, where he contributed to the team’s first-place victory and a subsequent invitation to the LCK 2019 Spring.

This was not a quiet debut. It was a statement. ShowMaker arrived with confidence and carried his team to a title in his very first season. Therefore, expectations for what was to come grew rapidly.

Breaking Through in 2019

In 2019, DAMWON Gaming became one of the most talked-about teams in the LCK. Much was known after DAMWON Gaming took over the LCK in 2019, establishing them as a dominant force in Korean esports.

In the knockout stage of the 2019 World Championship, DAMWON were drawn against European first seed G2 Esports, who ultimately eliminated them 3-1. Throughout the tournament, ShowMaker impressed with his Akali pick, posting a stunning 26/5/29 record across all games played.

The loss stung. But it also fueled something bigger. He returned home with a hunger that would define the following year.

2020 World Championship: The Crowning Moment

By 2020, ShowMaker had led his team to win the prestigious League of Legends World Championship. This victory solidified his status as a top-tier player and boosted his marketability and earning potential in the esports world.

The 2020 DAMWON Gaming roster — Nuguri, Canyon, ShowMaker, Ghost, and BeryL — was crowned champions at Worlds 2020. It was a complete team performance. However, ShowMaker was undeniably the heart of the operation.

ESPN highlighted ShowMaker as part of DWG’s “three-headed carry monster” alongside Nuguri and Canyon — a trio that speedran their way to the championship with a brand of aggressive, high-tempo play rarely seen from Korean teams.

The DWG Twisted Fate Skin — A Permanent Mark on the Game

ShowMaker’s 2020 Worlds performance earned him something few players ever receive. Due to his performance at the 2020 World Championship, he is the owner of the DWG Twisted Fate skin — a permanent in-game cosmetic that immortalizes his Worlds victory inside League of Legends itself.

It is a rare honour. Only World Champions receive it. It will exist in the game forever.

Post-Worlds Dominance: KeSPA Cup 2020

The momentum did not stop after Worlds. DAMWON Gaming clinched the KeSPA Cup 2020 after defeating Nongshim Red Force in a 3-0 sweep — the World Championship winners carrying their form straight into the domestic cup competition.

ShowMaker and his teammates had become an unstoppable force in Korean esports.

LCK Milestones: 1,000 Kills and Beyond

ShowMaker’s longevity in the LCK is as impressive as his peak performances. His 1,000th kill in the LCK came against T1’s jungler Oner in the LCK 2021 Summer Playoffs Finals, playing LeBlanc. He then reached 1,500 LCK kills on July 7, 2023 — becoming the 13th player in LCK history to reach that milestone, joining legends like Faker, PraY, Bang, Score, and Deft.

These numbers tell a story. They speak of consistency. They speak of longevity. Most importantly, they speak of elite-level play sustained across years.

Team Rebrands: DAMWON → DWG KIA → Dplus KIA

ShowMaker has remained loyal through every transformation of his organization. The team rebranded to Dplus KIA ahead of the 2023 season — a three-time LCK champion organization and 2020 World Championship winner. The new name honors the original Damwon legacy while the “plus” represents limitless connectivity and future potential.

The Lifetime Contract (November 2023)

In November 2023, ShowMaker made one of the most significant decisions of his career. On November 24, Dplus KIA announced that they re-signed ShowMaker for another three years. With the organization, ShowMaker had claimed three LCK championships and one World Championship.

About re-signing, ShowMaker said, “I made my decision because of all the good memories I have with the team and fans, and I thought we would be able to get good results next year with the players. If the team didn’t want to extend the contract, I probably would have chosen to rest.”

However, he went further than a three-year commitment. In a heartfelt interview on Dplus KIA’s YouTube channel, ShowMaker described it as a “lifetime contract.” He said, “I’m sticking with DK until the League scene ends.” He added that he wouldn’t have played for any team at all in 2024 if it wasn’t for Dplus KIA.

He also revealed he received many offers, including some from the LPL, but did not even respond to them.

This is loyalty at its rarest.

Worlds 2024 and Recent Form

His recent performances include a 9th place finish at the World Championship 2024, a 2nd place at the KeSPA Cup 2024, and appearances at the LCK Cup 2025 and LCK 2025 Opening.

The 2024 World Championship featuring ShowMaker peaked at 6,941,610 viewers — making it the most-watched tournament of his career and a reminder of the global stage he continues to occupy.

LCK 2026: Still Going Strong

As of 2026, ShowMaker continues as mid laner and captain of Dplus KIA. In April 2026, ShowMaker stated, “Round 2 is where it gets real, so we’ll bring our best” — a statement that captures exactly the competitive fire that has defined his career.

Playing Style: The Art of Mid Lane Mastery

Champion Pool and Mechanical Prowess

ShowMaker is not a one-trick. He is a specialist in everything.

His gameplay is characterized by strategic mastery and mechanical skill. He excels in managing resources, creating map pressure, and positioning during team fights. ShowMaker’s picks often include champions like LeBlanc, Syndra, and Twisted Fate.

His aggressive playstyle and strategic prowess have made him a fan favourite and a respected figure within the competitive League of Legends scene.

Mid Lane Philosophy

His role requires not just individual excellence but also synergy with his team — a quality he consistently displays.

ShowMaker is known for turning the mid lane into a launching pad. He does not wait for opportunities. He creates them. Furthermore, his ability to play both carry and control mage champions gives his team extraordinary flexibility in drafts.

The Great Mid Lane Debate

Many people always argue about who LCK’s best mid laner is. Names that usually come up are Faker, Chovy, Bdd, and ShowMaker. It was often said that none of the latter three players had a single World Championship — but in 2020, ShowMaker claimed the championship.

That debate still rages. However, ShowMaker now answers it with a World Championship ring.

Tournament Career Summary

Year	Tournament	Result
2018	LCK Summer	🥇 1st Place
2019	LCK Spring	Top Finish
2019	Worlds	Quarterfinals (Eliminated by G2)
2020	LCK Summer	🥇 1st Place
2020	Worlds 2020	🏆 World Champion
2020	KeSPA Cup	🥇 1st Place
2021	LCK Spring	🥇 1st Place
2021	LCK Summer	🥇 1st Place
2023	Worlds	Group Stage Exit
2024	KeSPA Cup	🥈 2nd Place
2024	Worlds 2024	9th Place
2025	LCK Cup	🥉 3rd Place
2026	LCK 2026 Season	Active

Individual Achievements and Accolades

ShowMaker’s achievements include multiple first-place finishes — 7 gold medals — as well as several second and third-place finishes across approximately 28 tournaments, showcasing his consistent ability to perform at a high level.

Key individual honors include:

• 2020 World Champion — The pinnacle of League of Legends esports
• DWG Twisted Fate Skin — Permanent in-game cosmetic for World Champions
• Multiple LCK All-Pro Team Honours — Recognized by peers and analysts alike
• 3× LCK Champion — One of the most decorated players in League history
• 1,500 LCK Kills — 13th player ever to reach this milestone
• Best Esports Athlete — Recognized by the Korean esports community

Off the Rift: Streaming and Public Presence

ShowMaker streams on Twitch and shares gameplay highlights, tutorials, and insights about professional gaming.

He is also known for his sharp wit and candid personality in interviews. In one well-known 2024 interview, he was asked about rival player Perkz and responded with characteristic confidence, making headlines across the esports community.

Celebrity fans, such as K-pop idol Sunmi, have also drawn attention to his personal brand, potentially increasing his crossover appeal beyond the core gaming audience.