Congratulations on your GosuCup win. Walk us through your run through the tournament. What were the toughest opponents and games you had to play?
Thanks, there were few moments that were tough, but it went alright overall. I had confidence in my counter pick choice with using difference classes.
You represent the Korean scene, and its the first time the region is allowed in GosuCup SEA. How good is the talent of Southeast Asia compared to Korea?
-In many of the tournaments, Korean players are showing better results so far. Team sunbi has won Zotac SEA cup three times and is number one in GosuCup SEA’s country standing.
Do you think your country is ahead of the others in Asia? Where would you rank South Korea’s players globally?
On average, I’d say Korea is very ahead. However, if we only look at the top players, Taiwan is the best one with few good players such as tom60299, Roger, pingpingho, especially tom60229 had one of the most player who qualified in many major tournaments.
In EU, and NA tournaments, Lojom (Dreamhack), Handsomeguy (Viagame House Cup#3), and me (Gfinity Spring Masters 2) (all from team Sunbi) are the only Korean players who qualified. It’s challenging for us to play internationally. Only Kranich, and Surrender get invited, and none of the other Korean players are at that level.
I know China is hard at work promoting a grassroots scene, with regular open cups with massive prize pools on top of the regular major tournaments. As far as Korea goes, however, the only glimpse we get are the OGN majors. How's the tournament life in Korea overall?
After Hearthstone went mobile, it is getting popularity in Korea but it is not really developing as an esport yet. There are only about three or four major tournaments, always made by OGN. It is very competive and when you miss your chance you have to wait a long time for the next one.
You are on Team Sunbi, one of the major teams in the country. How was the team put together?
It started as a college gaming club after winning 2014 KCLG (Korea College League Gaming). Then team got some players from outside the college, include myself. After winning Inven HCC, we became one of the best teams in Korea.
"There are no full-time pro HS teams in Korea. The game is not as popular as LoL, so many of the pro teams or sponsors do not have interest in it."
In the west, players on major teams could easily do Hearthstone full time, while I know it’s very different in China? What about Korea? What does a player have to do to live well as a full time Hearthstone pro?
Team Sunbi is not a pro team. There are no full-time pro Hearthstone teams in Korea. As I mentioned, there are no major tournament except OGN. Also it is not popular as LoL, so many of the pro teams or sponsors do not have interest in it. A few streamers gain a lot of money through contracts, but you need to have friends in broadcast companie to get that contract. Outside of those few steamers, most of the players have a rough time. My team-mate lojom qualified in Dreamhack as 1st place; however, he could not make it because of the finacial issue for hotel, and travel fee since he does not have money or sponsor to help that part.
Why aren’t the big esports brands like SKT or KT showing interest? Do they see little of value in Hearthstone or they just don't know the game well enough to get involved?
The Koreans prefer the game that require the some APM, not the card game. Look at League of Legends and StarCraft 2 in Korea. Are you gonna sponsor that or Hearthstone?
Where do you see Korean Hearthstone in two years?
There are a lot of limitations to the Korean Hearthstone scene: only few major tourny, lack of opportunities, etc. Therefore, I play EU and NA to seek opportunities there.
Some KR players like Kranich and Surrender went on to sign with western teams? Would you do that yourself if opportunity came or would you rather work with Koreans?
Of course. I am ready to do whatever’s needed to succeed as a pro player.
Who are some KR players we have to look out for this year?
My team mate Handsomeguy will be competing in the APAC Winter Championship. He is a hard worker. Also I am not close to Kranich, but I think he has passion. And also me. I had a lot of good runs in many minor tournaments. Maybe most wins and runner-up finishes in the world, 50 times. I will look for the major tournaments and will keep trying to attend them.
What do you think of the new expansion and particularly the revealed cards? Is the game going the right direction?
I like to focus what happen in now instead of the future. So I never watch the news about the new expansion until they are released. I think that what I play now is important. And when the expansion comes out, I will adapt them as fast as I can.
