Former professional Go player Lee Sedol, globally recognized as the competitor who defeated artificial intelligence in a historic match, discussed his post-retirement life during an appearance on the television program The Problem Kids of the Attic Room, according to reporting by 스타뉴스.
Lee, who accumulated approximately 10 billion won in career earnings prior to stepping away from competitive play, remarked that being unemployed is truly difficult. The former champion shared his perspective on adapting to daily life away from the professional board.
Life After Professional Go
During the broadcast, Lee addressed his transition away from the elite tournament circuit. Known for his high-stakes career as one of the world's premier Go players, his remarks focused on the practical and psychological challenges that accompany retirement, despite the substantial financial foundation he built during his active playing days.
Lee noted the contrast between his previous demanding schedule as an elite competitor and his current day-to-day existence without the structure of professional competition.
Legacy Against Artificial Intelligence
Lee gained international prominence beyond traditional board gaming circles for his landmark 2016 showdown against DeepMind's artificial intelligence program, AlphaGo. In that contest, Lee secured a victory in the fourth game, making him the only human player to win an official match against the system.
That victory cemented his legacy as a defining figure in human-versus-machine competition. Lee ultimately retired from professional Go, concluding an illustrious career that yielded around 10 billion won in total earnings, before publicly sharing his candid reflections on broadcast television regarding life after retirement.
