John Popko

Writer and Producer

I'm a journalist based in Southern California and Seoul, specializing in technology, esports, and the gaming industry. I focus on uncovering the stories and people driving these industries forward.

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Work

1. The myth of sovereign AI: Countries rely on U.S. and Chinese tech - Rest of World - 2025
2. How China Turned Phone Games Into Stadium Spectacle - The Diplomat - 2026
3. When Mom Hits Live: How One Streamer and His Mother Found Common Ground Online - Crossplay - 2026
4. PUBG: Battlegrounds creator sets sights on massive digital worlds with Prologue - The Korea Times - 2025
5. Chaos Theory: PoohManDu's Role in Paving Faker's Path to Glory - INVEN - 2023
6. CS:GO to CS2: What Changed and What You Need to Know - Monster Energy - 2023
7. The Best Player who could never win - 2023 - Turndownforwalt
8. The Most Hated Competitive League of Legends Player Ever - 2023 - Self-Produced
9. Asking Lil Nas X to Build the Ultimate Celebrity League of Legends Team - 2022 - Inven Global
10. "I want to help people that feel alone": QTCinderella and her fight to change the Twitch landscape - 2022 - Inven Global
11. The Most Hated Competitive League of Legends Player Ever - 2023 - Self-Produced

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About

I’m a journalist with over ten years of experience specializing in the APAC region. I currently write for INVEN, South Korea’s largest gaming publication, and have contributed to The Korea Times, The Diplomat, The Escapist, and Rest of World. Previously, I was a staff writer for Esports Heaven. I’m also writing The Makers of Faker, a biography exploring the career of Korean esports icon Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok and the figures who shaped his legacy.When I’m not writing, I enjoy running, reading, and enjoying some tteokbokki.

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