As Paulo Coelho writes in The Alchemist, “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” At SK Innovation, our Wish Makers help bring that possibility to life—turning hope into real moments for children facing critical illnesses.
That belief is at the heart of Wish Maker, a volunteer program run by SK Innovation affiliates employees in partnership with Make-A-Wish, the global nonprofit that grants wishes for children with critical illnesses, including leukemia and pediatric cancers.
Since the launch of the first Wish Maker cohort in May 2024, SK Innovation has formed small volunteer teams (typically 7 to 8 members) to support each child as Wish Angels—planning and delivering a wish experience with care, respect, and encouragement.
| Wish Day: A Special Welcome as an “Honorary New Member”
Seongmin, a Wish Kid, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2024—about a year before he reached adulthood—and has been continuing treatment with strong determination. To cheer him on as he focused on his recovery, a Wish Maker team of SK Innovation volunteers, “Skeu-Skeu-Hae,” came together as one.
Seongmin has long been a passionate gamer, so the Skeu-Skeu-Hae team set out to arrange a meeting with T1—one of the world’s most iconic esports teams and the first in League of Legends (LoL) history to win three consecutive Worlds titles (2023–2025), with six world championships overall. They hoped Seongmin could feel the positive energy of players who keep pushing toward their goals—never giving up, and steadily turning effort into achievement.
But after last year’s championship, T1’s calendar became packed—so the meeting Seongmin had been hoping for could not happen right away. Still, Seongmin carried another dream in his heart: to one day work at a big company. The Wish Maker team decided not to let the moment pass. They invited Seongmin to SK Seorin Building, where SK Innovation’s headquarters is located.
On December 18, Seongmin’s Wish Day, he arrived with a flutter of excitement and, for one special day, became an honorary new employee. SK Seorin Building is the kind of workplace many young people imagine when they picture their future, with modern shared workspaces and special locations like VR rooms. And the welcome waiting for him was just as unforgettable: a heartfelt message shining across the media wall in the first-floor lobby, and an honorary employee ID badge placed in his hands—simple symbols, but powerful enough to make his dream feel close, tangible, and real.
To ensure the experience went beyond a simple office tour, the Wish Makers prepared hands-on programs connected to Seongmin’s future:
- An aptitude test to explore his strengths and interests
- A session to reflect on career paths and write a “future resume”
- A laptop gift to support his studies, which he continues through remote classes during treatment—chosen with the hope that it could also become a tool for his bigger dreams ahead
For Seongmin and for the volunteers who planned every step alongside him, that first Wish Day became a meaningful milestone—one that felt like a new beginning.
And then, the story found its next chapter.
| When We Thought It Was Over: A New Chapter Begins
After their first meeting couldn’t take place, some time passed before T1 reached out again, remembering Seongmin and offering him another special opportunity. The T1 team, including “Faker” himself, gladly welcomed the chance to meet Seongmin and support him by sharing their own stories of challenge and growth as pro gamers. Faker’s well-known saying, “Every setback is just part of the journey toward success,” felt especially meaningful in this moment—a reminder to Seongmin that even through life’s difficulties, new achievements are always possible.
On January 23, Seongmin was invited to the 2026 LCK Cup at LoL PARK (Jongno), where he watched T1 vs. kt live. T1’s 2–0 victory, powered by a memorable comeback, made the day even more unforgettable—especially for Seongmin, whose eyes stayed locked on the stage from start to finish.
After the match, the long-awaited meeting became reality. Choi “Doran” Hyeon-jun, Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Kim “Peyz” Soo-hwan, and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok took time to meet Seongmin, share stories, and offer encouragement.
When Seongmin asked for advice on staying mentally strong in tough moments, ‘Faker’ pointed first to the basics—getting enough sleep and taking time to steady his mind. Rather than dwelling on wins and losses, Faker explained, he focuses on doing his best in the moment, one step at a time. As they talked about values, hobbies, and ways to manage stress, Seongmin’s expression softened—from nervousness to a calm, genuine smile.
Although the SK Innovation volunteer team, who worked tirelessly to arrange Seongmin’s meeting with T1, couldn’t be there in person, they were thrilled to hear the good news. Through the Wish Maker project, SK Innovation employees, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, T1, and Seongmin all came together as one, united in their support for Seongmin’s journey ahead. This experience helped Seongmin discover new direction as he prepares for adulthood, and the uplifting energy from meeting his role models gave him renewed hope for the future.
Just like Seongmin, there are many young people who will shape our future, and SK Innovation remains committed to helping them hold onto hope and look forward to new possibilities, even as they overcome life’s challenges. This year and beyond, SK Innovation and its employees will continue working together to make more wishes come true—so that even more Wish Kids can see their dreams and potential become reality. The support of Wish Makers will always be there, lighting the way for every child’s bright tomorrow.
“I am so grateful that my son Seongmin, now a high school sophomore, was able to make his wish come true through ‘Wish Day’ after bravely enduring the challenges of surgery and chemotherapy following his osteosarcoma diagnosis. The warm memories and joyful moments you created for our family will always stay with us. My deepest thanks go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and all the wonderful people at SK Innovation who made this possible. Seeing Seongmin smile again has meant the world to us. I hope to pay this kindness forward and become someone who supports the wishes of others, just as you have done for our family.”— From Seongmin’s mother’s letter
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