Who Is Lim Yo-hwan? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lim Yo-hwan, born on September 4, 1980, is a prominent South Korean esports player who gained fame in the gaming community for his skills in StarCraft and StarCraft II. Often referred to as "BoxeR," he is considered one of the pioneers of professional gaming in Korea. As of 2025, Lim is 44 years old, continuing to influence the esports world even after his competitive playing days are largely over.
| Occupation | Esports Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 4, 1980 |
| Age | 45 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country |
Popularity
Lim Yo-hwan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing at an impressive height of 180 cm (5 ft 11 in), Lim maintains a healthy physique that reflects his active lifestyle. His weight is approximately 75 kg (165 lbs), showing a well-balanced body that allows him to engage in both gaming and physical activities. His measurements are reflective of someone who prioritizes health and fitness.
Lim received an invitation to compete at the 2011 Major League Gaming (MLG) event in Columbus, Ohio. However, he was dealing with tendonitis in his shoulder, an injury typically seen in individuals twice his age. Due to his condition, Lim decided to give his invitation to his teammate Moon "MMA" Sung-won. Ultimately, MMA went on to win the event.
In July 2011, Lim participated in the MLG Pro Circuit in Anaheim. During the group stage of the event, Lim performed well, remaining undefeated and advancing to the double-elimination tournament stage.
In the upper bracket semifinals, he defeated Park "Rain" Seo-yong, securing a place in the upper bracket final against Jeong "Mvp" Jong-hyeon, a two-time GSL champion. Lim lost to Mvp in the upper bracket final and was subsequently sent to the lower bracket final. In the lower bracket final, Lim faced his teammate MMA.
While he lost the first game of the match, he managed to win the second game, equalizing the series. However, MMA emerged victorious in the third match, leading Lim to finish the event in third place.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Lim Yo-hwan tends to keep his personal life private, but as of 2025, he is rumored to be dating fellow esports player Kim Jin-soo, known professionally as "Jinju." The two have been spotted together at various gaming conventions and events, fueling speculation about their relationship. While they have not made any official announcements, their chemistry is evident, and fans are excited about this potential romantic partnership.
After the release of the StarCraft expansion, StarCraft: Brood War, Lim attempted to create a guild called Slayer. However, facing difficulties in establishing it, he adopted the Battle.net ID SlayerS_'BoxeR' instead. As he achieved high rankings on Battle.net, his ID gained widespread recognition.
It was during this time, in August 1999, that Kim Yang-joong, the president of management company Sinabro, approached Lim while he was playing at a PC Bang. Kim offered him the opportunity to become a professional gamer.
After accepting the offer, Lim had to seek his parents' approval, as pursuing a career in video gaming was an unconventional choice at the time. After considerable effort, Lim convinced his parents, allowing him to sign with Sinabro. In December 1999, Lim secured his first tournament victory at the SBS Multi-Game Championship.
Almost a year later, in October 2000, he joined team IS, which later became known as Hwaseung OZ.
Net Worth and Salary
Lim Yo-hwan has amassed an impressive net worth, estimated to be around $5 million USD in 2025. His earnings come from a combination of gaming tournaments, sponsorship deals, streaming, and his presence in the esports industry. Historically, Lim earned a significant income through prize money in tournaments during his competitive years, and today, he continues to gain revenue from endorsements and media appearances.
In September 2018, Lim achieved a significant milestone in his poker career by winning the APT Philippines Championships II event. In the final heads-up battle, he successfully eliminated Si Yang Phua to claim the championship title.
This victory marked his first-ever APT championship win and earned him a substantial prize money of approximately US$0. The following year, he continued his success in the APT series by securing his second APT Championship title at the 2019 APT Vietnam Kickoff series in January.
In heads up against Slaven Popov, who held a two-to-one chip lead, Lim emerged victorious. The final hand saw him clinching the win with a nut flush on the board. The victory brought him a prize of $87,946, his largest live cash earnings to date, and it also propelled him to the 10th position on South Korea's all-time money list.
Career, Business and Investments
Lim Yo-hwan's career began in the early days of South Korean esports, where he quickly rose to fame as a professional StarCraft player. After retiring from competitive gaming, he transitioned into a coaching and mentoring role, helping to nurture new talent in the esports community. Additionally, Lim has invested in esports-related businesses and has participated in various gaming events as a commentator or host, further solidifying his status in the industry.
Lim won his first StarCraft: Brood War tournament in 1999. From 2001 to 2002, he won multiple major championships, including two OnGameNet Starleague titles and two World Cyber Games gold medals. In 2002, he also created the team Team Orion, which later became SK Telecom T1 (SKT T1) in 2004.
He began his compulsory military service in 2006, where he played on South Korea's newly formed Air Force esports team Airforce Challenge E-sports. In late 2010, he retired from StarCraft: Brood War and founded the StarCraft II team SlayerS. He then briefly returned to SKT T1 as a coach in 2012 before retiring due to health related issues.
Lim finished his playing career with a record of 603 wins and 430 losses (58.4%).
Social Network
Lim is quite active on social media platforms, where he connects with his fans and shares insights into his life and career. His official accounts on Twitter and Instagram have garnered thousands of followers. Lim often updates his fans on upcoming events, personal milestones, and the latest in the world of gaming. His engaging content keeps his audience invested in both his professional and personal adventures.
"In the NBA, Michael Jordan was but one athlete, but had the influencing power beyond that of a mere basketball player. 'It is safe to say that because of his presence, the NBA grew rapidly and basketball was no longer the American game, but an international sport.
Would it be an overstatement if one were to say that Lim Yo Hwan has a value like Michael Jordan? The greatest significance Lim Yo Hwan has towards e-sports is that he has transformed it from a festival of mere maniacs to a mainstream culture that is now broadcasted [sic] by the media.
His value can be seen as he raised the understanding of what was once considered as a mere childish game to the dignified acceptance by all as part of the mainstream culture."
Education
While the specifics of Lim Yo-hwan's educational background are not widely publicized, it is known that he received basic education in South Korea. As esports gained traction, Lim prioritized mastering his gaming skills, often dedicating himself to practice and competition over formal academic pursuits. This dedication to his passion and skill development has played a significant role in his success.
In 1998, during his third year at Seongbo High School in Seoul, South Korea, Lim developed a passion for the video game StarCraft. Initially playing as the Protoss race, he later switched to the Terran race following a game patch implementation.
