What better way to start our Christmas series of features than with a story with the happiest of endings. On December 9th, after a long period of fencing with the American immigration officials, Kim “Violet” Dong Hwan became the first StarCraft 2 player to be internationally recognized as a professional athlete.
Nobody thought 2013 would be that harsh to Violet. In 2012, the talented Korean had become one of the most promising Zerg players in the world. He had brought Team Empire two gold medals, igniting the crowd in Sao Paulo and butchering the competition at MLG Arena wearing a surgical mask, a scene almost clichedly scary. His personal sponsorship from Azubu had come with silver medals from NASL 4 and IPL 5 and a top four finish at IEM Cologne. His inspiring performance brought him a GosuAwards nomination for best Korean of 2012 and enough money to put him in the top ten highest earners for that year.
Violet’s fanbase grew alongside his checkbook but it had nothing to do with his actual accomplishments. His stay in Texas had helped Violet with learning English and communicating his personality to the crowd. His sincerity was charming, his enjoyment in doing what he loves most captivating, and cheering for him – the thing so many Koreans wish for – came naturally.
Photo: Team Empire
Although he couldn’t triumph in Blizzard Cup (the very last tournament of 2012) and “only” finished top six, expectations and hopes were high for the Azubu Zerg coming into 2013 and the new WCS season. Summertime found him crush face in WCS America where victories over Scarlett and Oz sent him to the Ro16.
Violet thus had two weeks between May 7 and May 23 to get himself ready for the offline portion of the tournament. His chances were looking great: his group had shaped up to be Terran-heavy with Polt, Alive and Ryung and with 64% ZvT win-rate in international tournament and just one match-up to practice, fans were expecting to see Violet compete in the playoffs on June 1st.
This is when a stick was shoved into Violet’s wheels as the Korean faced an obstacle he did not anticipate – the US immigration officials. On May 22nd, one day before he was supposed to fly to New York City and play his Ro16 matches, it was announced that Violet will be forfeiting WCS America due to visa issues.
The community was understandably disappointed that it is papers and not players defeating the Azubu Zerg. To be denied access to what you’ve rightfully earned by government bodies must’ve been frustrating to no end for Violet. But then again, despite the unfair outcome of this situation, there was always the next season and the season after that. It was not like everything was lost.
Photo: CSA
As it would turn out, it was. After winning his Challenger League matches and returning to Premier League for Season 2, Violet and CSA agent Andrew Tomlinson began negotiations with the US embassy to make sure the Korean will not have to forfeit another WCS match due to visa issues. Negotiations that would go on for half a year and whose happy ending would arrive a little bit too late.
The reality of Violet’s professional career was as grim as it gets. Together with the Chinese players who also struggled with visa issues, Violet had to fight a then losing battle with the immigration services while facing the unforgiving competition of his WCS league. He had to watch from the outside as players from the much younger League of Legends scene were given that which he desired most, while he and his sport of choice hit a brick wall over and over again.
Despite all the help coming from different eSports figures – from Blizzard employees, to team owners, to division managers in prominent companies – it was not meant to be for Violet. In August, he forfeited WCS Ro16 for the second time. Ten days later, he also forfeited his Challenger League match against NesTea as well as his group stage games. The third season of the circuit came and went without the presence of Violet altogether.
At that time, the fear of never seeing Violet again was very real. The dog-eat-dog world of StarCraft 2 had grown vicious to the point that even a month of absence could mean fading into obscurity. Violet and his manager, too, knew that and acknowledged their entire endeavor as a “do or die”: Violet would either get a visa or enter the Korean military and abandon all dreams for progaming future. (Source: Daily Dot)
Violet's martyrdom – not at all poetic but cruel and unnecessarily crass – finally arrived to an end a few days ago. The eye-watering news that he’s been recognized as the first professional StarCraft 2 athlete came on December 9th and it counts among the biggest accomplishments in the SC2 world not just for this year but overall. Violet’s tragic mission to keep his passion alive is a story every fan of the game should remember. It’s a life-changing Christmas wish come true, one that will hopefully pave the way to further recognition, and I cannot think of anyone more suitable to be the vanguard of all. Even though Violet might not beat the WCS qualifiers and challenger league matches and return to where he belongs, he already won the most important battle of his career.
Merry Christmas, Kim Dong Hwan, and welcome back.
Photo: CSA
