Oh said businesses consider the e-sports scene as a platform to reach younger generations and improve their brand image.

SK Telecom-backed team T1, on which 'Faker', the most famous League of Legends gamer of all time, plays, opened its e-sports academy last month. The 20-week program costs 5.6 million won, but applications are flooding in, it said.

As yet, there is only one school in South Korea with e-sports on its academic curriculum aimed at fostering professional gamers. Teenager Yoon makes a two-hour round trip to Eunpyeong Meditech High School every day to bolster his chances of becoming a pro gamer.

Nongshim's Oh says support for gaming talent from both the government and the private sector is paramount as South Korea's market will never be as big as that of the United States or China.

"Focusing on talent is the key," he said. "The buildup of talent development know-how should be our strength."

Reuters