What did Lee Se-dol say about retirement?

Former professional Go player Lee Se-dol appeared on the KBS 2TV variety show Okthobang Problem Children, which aired on October 20, 2026, and described his life since retiring in 2019 as the hardest part of his career. He said that his competitive instincts began to dull about two years after he stepped away from professional play.

How much has Lee Se-dol earned?

According to the broadcast, Lee Se-dol has won 14 major international championships and accumulated roughly 10 billion won in prize money. When asked about these figures, he said he has never kept count and does not know the exact totals.

Did Lee Se-dol turn down money in his career?

Lee Se-dol recalled his time as a mercenary player in a Chinese league. He said he chose to collect only win bonuses, arguing that he could not accept payment for matches he might lose.

Why doesn't Lee Se-dol know his blood type?

Lee Se-dol said he devoted nearly his entire life to Go and never paid attention to other personal details, including his blood type. He also said he avoids comprehensive health checkups because they make him anxious, and that his only blood test in recent memory was an anti-doping test at an Asian Games.

For international fans

Lee Se-dol is widely known outside Korea for his series of high-profile matches against AI programs, which drew global attention to the game of Go. His candid remarks on the variety show offered fans a rare glimpse of his life away from the board.