Minho Yi

Vice President, Head of PUBG Esports @ KRAFTON Inc.

About

Strategic leader with 20+ years of experience across gaming, esports, sports, media, and entertainment. Currently leading PUBG Esports at KRAFTON, driving global operations, partnerships, and brand growth while connecting fans, teams, and creators worldwide. Previously led the Esports Broadcasting Division at Riot Games Korea, overseeing production, content, and storytelling for some of the region’s biggest tournaments. Earlier in my career, I also worked in sports and drama production at MBC, building a foundation in live broadcasting and creative storytelling. Passionate about bringing together creativity, competition, and community — and still driven by curiosity to explore what’s next for the world of interactive entertainment.

Country

South Korea

City

Seoul

Industry

Computer Games

Skill

비즈니스 네크워킹, 파트너관리, 전략기획, 투자자관리, IT, 비즈니스 관계 관리, 계약협상, 네트워크, 엔터테인먼트, 이벤트, 스폰서십 영업, 사업발굴, 스포츠마케팅, 프로젝트 관리, 제작기획, Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Sports Management, eSports, Business Development

Experience

Vice President, Head of PUBG Esports

KRAFTON Inc.

2020-12 - Present · 5 yrs 10 mos

대한민국 서울

Lead global strategy and operations for PUBG Esports, transforming it into one of the world’s top competitive gaming ecosystems. - Built a unified esports structure across 5 regions (KR, CN, APAC, EMEA, Americas) integrating PGS, PGC, and PNC. - Launched PUBG Nations Cup (PNC), achieving 800K peak viewers and establishing Tier-1 IP status. - Secured USD 10M+ in partnerships with Hero Esports, Intel, AWS, and Monster energy. - Expanded PUBG’s presence to Top 3 esports title in China through multi-year media deals with Douyu and Huya. - Led a 40+ global team spanning production, broadcast, marketing, and community management. - Represented KRAFTON in global esports external relations, collaborating with IOC, EWCF, and ENC coalition (Tencent, Ubisoft, EA). - Collaborate with NYU, UNC, and Monash University, hosting esports lectures and facility tours for visiting programs

Adjunct Professor / Dept. of Sports Industry

Hanyang University

2021-9 - 2023-8 · 2 yrs

Adjunct Professor, Department of Sports Industry (Esports Major), Hanyang University

Division Lead (Esports Broadcast)

Riot Games

2017-6 - 2020-12 · 3 yrs 7 mos

대한민국 서울 강남구

Directed broadcast transformation of the LCK, establishing it as the world’s most-watched esports league. - Designed and launched LoL Park, a flagship arena drawing 80,000 visitors annually and generating KRW 4B (~USD 3M) in revenue. - Built Riot Korea’s first in-house broadcast unit, integrating creative, technical, and operational teams. - Increased LCK live viewership from ~200K to 2M+, setting global esports benchmarks. - Enhanced fan experience and venue monetization through localized event programs.

Producer

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation

2002-12 - 2017-6 · 14 yrs 7 mos

Produced global sports broadcasts and hit dramas reaching record ratings and international audiences. - Achieved No.1 national ratings for Olympic, Asian Games, and FIFA World Cup coverage. - Co-directed The Flower of the Queen (22.4% peak viewership) and led Korea–China–Vietnam–Indonesia co-productions. - Partnered with Anhui Satellite TV, SM C&C, and Warner Bros. expanding international distribution. - Received the Korea Broadcasting Award (2008) for excellence in sports production.