Some scattered thoughts on Jaedong and progamer nicknames
I’m surprised that after so many accomplishments, Lee Jaedong still has no satisfactory nickname. ‘Tyrant’ and ‘God of Destruction’ were attached to him by MBCGame and Ongamenet respectively to some initial backlash from the fans. However, the fans failed to agree on a suitable alternative, and the ensuing seasons of announcer repetition made the above two his de facto nicknames.
Korea has a very active fan community where people will grasp at straws just so a player can have any kind of nickname. GGPlay was known as the “Attention Zerg” during his early career, simply because he stood rigidly at attention in front of the audience, before and after proleague matches. Even the LACK of distinctive features will earn you a nickname, like in the case of Light, the “Invisible Terran.” Considering that Jaedong has a very aggressive style of play, and that his game face is one of the most distinct ones in Starcraft, it is really odd that nothing has caught on.
I can try to reason through the reasons that might explain this peculiarity, but nothing I can think of is satisfactory. Part of it might be because he didn’t have the time to get an early career nickname. Several players who have won Starleagues in their careers continue to be called by their old nicknames, given to them when they were low-mid level players. Some of these nicknames are outright insulting or just completely comical, but have changed into affectionate nicknames. Fantasy’s nicknames of “terrorist” and “Jung Laden” were attached to him because he was jokingly accused of committing acts of terror against the Starleagues by eliminating players who were considered better than him at the time. Now that he’s proven himself as an excellent player, the old names have become much more affectionate, and coincidentally rather appropriate for his harassing style of play. In a similar vein, Nada is still called “Otter” by some, and Iloveoov is still called “house servant” from time to time. Jaedong had a very short developmental phase in his career, going from a near unknown to a Zerg vs Terran monster with undeniable potential, to arguably the best player in the world. So there may have been no time to consider a casual nickname, because he became someone you had to take completely seriously before the fans had enough time to get to know him.
After a gamer has reached a degree of notoriety, the new nicknames tend to be based on their high level of skill like “Maestro” or “God of war,” although there are especially popular exceptions like Boxer’s many nicknames making fun of his melon-like head. In any case, Jaedong doesn’t even have a proper nickname to glorify his skill. Two of Jaedong’s contemporaries with similarly meteoric rises, Flash and Bisu, quickly earned their nicknames of “Final Weapon” and “Revolutionist” after they proved their skill. (Note: Bisu’s first popular nickname was “Phuket” as fans mocked him for going along on MBCGame’s Thai vacation just two weeks before his MSL Final date with Savior. Needless to say, the name only lasted for those two weeks.) Jaedong has spent over a year as a top five player and still can’t get a skill based nickname. He’s so unlucky with nicknames his name can’t even be paired with Bonjwa. None of the characters in the name Lee Jae Dong sound quite harmonious enough. Ma-Bonjwa and Taek-Bonjwa (for delusional Bisu fans) have a nice ring to them, but Dong-Bonjwa sounds absolutely terrible. Not even his suspiciously close friendship with Lomo has been of any inspiration, despite its practically begging for some sort of mockery.
The only fan nickname that’s semi-stuck is “Lee Jae Dong Nae Buk//이제동네북,” which came up during a brief two week slump in 2008. It’s a pun on his name which means “neighborhood drum,” an expression in Korean for someone who gets beat up by everyone else (think of ‘village bike’ in English, except with violence and not sex). This one still gets limited use in some situations, but is barely taken seriously.
I hope that if we wait long enough, a perfect source will come along. Maybe it will be an epic match, an embarrassing photograph, or entertaining anecdote. In any case, as with all the other nicknames, we’ll simply know if it’s right.
On October 13 2009 08:51 Waxangel wrote: It’s a pun on his name which means “neighborhood drum,” an expression in Korean for someone who gets beat up by everyone else (think of ‘village bike’ in English).
The village bike is the slut who gets banged by everyone, not someone who gets beaten up.
On October 13 2009 08:51 Waxangel wrote: It’s a pun on his name which means “neighborhood drum,” an expression in Korean for someone who gets beat up by everyone else (think of ‘village bike’ in English).
The village bike is the slut who gets banged by everyone, not someone who gets beaten up.
it was an analogy
though it is ambiguous as to whether it's an analogy or direct comparison now that I look at it in retrospect
On October 13 2009 09:28 Liquid`NonY wrote: maybe it's less natural to give a nickname to someone who doesnt give himself a nickname (his game ID is same as given name)
and not giving into the childish practice of nicknames might indicate a higher level of respect
I'ma have to disagree a bit, in that nicknames aren't always childish.
I mean "Snot Toss" and "Shit Terran"? Yeah, maybe.
On October 13 2009 09:28 Liquid`NonY wrote: maybe it's less natural to give a nickname to someone who doesnt give himself a nickname (his game ID is same as given name)
and not giving into the childish practice of nicknames might indicate a higher level of respect
These would all certainly be possible for a hypothetical progamer, but there's nothing specific to Jaedong that would indicate this when compared to other pros.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
Why? No star quality.
0 star quality wtf? ban please wtf????????
hello 3x osl champ
1x korean wcg 1x msl 1x gom
WTF?
He is the Legend Killer the tyrant
last season he won the osl made top 4 msl made top 8 gom took his team to proleague finals.
Good god. its like saying savior or iloveoov or boxer SUCKED at their prime
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
Why? No star quality.
You could not be more uninformed and wrong.
First of all, there are plenty of "threads like that." Second of all, one of the main reasons Bisu is often in the discussion, despite not being able to win an OSL and having rather poor individual league performances recently(-GOM), he was the best player before 2008 when Flash and Jaedong pushed their way into the spotlight.
Thirdly, your post is terrible.
I stand with the notion that using your real name just subconsciously discourages nick name creativity. Personally, I think using your real name is badass, as you can tell by my handle.
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
Why? No star quality.
You are gonna get so much shit for this post but I totally agree. I love JD but he's super super bland. No personality except complete devotion to the game.
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
Why? No star quality.
0 star quality wtf? ban please wtf????????
hello 3x osl champ
1x korean wcg 1x msl 1x gom
WTF?
He is the Legend Killer the tyrant
last season he won the osl made top 4 msl made top 8 gom took his team to proleague finals.
Good god. its like saying savior or iloveoov or boxer SUCKED at their prime
winning != star quality, so nothing you said helped your point really
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
Why? No star quality.
0 star quality wtf? ban please wtf????????
hello 3x osl champ
1x korean wcg 1x msl 1x gom
WTF?
He is the Legend Killer the tyrant
last season he won the osl made top 4 msl made top 8 gom took his team to proleague finals.
Good god. its like saying savior or iloveoov or boxer SUCKED at their prime
winning != star quality, so nothing you said helped your point really
How come Korea constantly ranks Jaedong's star power 9/10 - 10/10? Does teamliquid just have better insight based on translated reviews and a vicarious stance on the culture?
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
Why? No star quality.
0 star quality wtf? ban please wtf????????
hello 3x osl champ
1x korean wcg 1x msl 1x gom
WTF?
He is the Legend Killer the tyrant
last season he won the osl made top 4 msl made top 8 gom took his team to proleague finals.
Good god. its like saying savior or iloveoov or boxer SUCKED at their prime
winning != star quality, so nothing you said helped your point really
On October 13 2009 10:02 m3rciless wrote: Jaedong has 0 star quality, thats why.
Bisu can win a few games here and there, and every other thread is bonjwa/not. Jaedong can stomp face left and right, and I haven't seen a single thread like that.
I like how people are confusing "Star-Power" with their own opinion of the player.
I hate Bisu. However, I don't deny that he is certainly a 9/10 or 10/10 in star-power. Star power is a player's ability to be a star. Meaning having fans and being loved by fans. Do really think that no one loves Jaedong? That Jaedong is not anyone's favorite player? Can you not see why, even if you don't agree, that he has that potential?
It was a TROLL people drop it already jeez, no one with over ~300 posts would do something that dumb without ulterior motives seriously, way to walk into it.
Personally 'legend killer' is a really bad nickname.
Killer of Legends? why would you want to be known for that. Legends are immortalized in the hearts of their audience. Let them have their place. I'm probably not making enough sense.
And having 'killer' in your nickname is pretty generic and lack potency, probably because we've been desensitized to its meaning.
Bisu was fortunate to get his 'Revolutionist' title. It's pretty rock solid.
I'm sure Jaedong will have his come around. He might just lack the personality or defining trait that puts the stamp of approval on it.
Legend Killer doesn't really apply anymore - he already slew all the old legends when he came on the scene, now he IS a Legend, and will soon be much more than that. What does that make him now?
I think the more you try to give a nickname to someone the more it will not work. Nicknames should be given naturally based on what the player is known for, player's style, etc. that really really shows and be undisputed.
Savior - Maestro; for the way he controls his army Oov - Monster; his insane macro Fantasy - Terrorist; his crazy harass and I guess a bit of knocking out the better known players Bisu - Revolutionist; balancing PvZ
I might not be 100% accurate on the descriptions but I think Liquipedia should include explanations on progamer's nicknames.
You don't even know your zanpaktou's name, how could you know Jaedong's nick?
I can't believe nobody else has commented on how this is an awesome post. :x
Anyways, - I'm also in the group that thinks that the Tyrant is a pretty bitching nickname. (So is the Legend Killer, honestly). Does he really need more nicknames? =P
Speaking of of nicknames. Why is stork called the dinotoss? I mean, Reach is (was) the Mantoss and bisu is the Ninjatoss, both names fit pretty well their playing style. When I see stork play I always think "The Administrator".
wow, you know I've never noticed this until you mentioned this
Whenever Flash and Bisu are introduced or win a game, the commentators scream "AHHHHHHHH ULTIMATE WEAPON/REVOLUTIONIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
But Jaedong is.... Jaedong.
Tyrant, God of Destruction, Legend Killer (I hate this nickname, it is so bad. Almost as bad as Southpaw) and even the "Village Drum" nicknames seem so displaced for the guy
On October 13 2009 16:49 imbecile wrote: He is a force of nature, he *is* The Swarm.
Speaking of of nicknames. Why is stork called the dinotoss? I mean, Reach is (was) the Mantoss and bisu is the Ninjatoss, both names fit pretty well their playing style. When I see stork play I always think "The Administrator".
On October 13 2009 16:49 imbecile wrote: He is a force of nature, he *is* The Swarm.
Speaking of of nicknames. Why is stork called the dinotoss? I mean, Reach is (was) the Mantoss and bisu is the Ninjatoss, both names fit pretty well their playing style. When I see stork play I always think "The Administrator".
He is know as the Dinotoss beacuse he was once photographed in a dinosaur costume:
On October 13 2009 16:49 imbecile wrote: He is a force of nature, he *is* The Swarm.
Speaking of of nicknames. Why is stork called the dinotoss? I mean, Reach is (was) the Mantoss and bisu is the Ninjatoss, both names fit pretty well their playing style. When I see stork play I always think "The Administrator".
He is know as the Dinotoss beacuse he was once photographed in a dinosaur costume:
Another variation of the name is Pterodactyl Toss due to his good carrier micro.
Stork also had that really, really weird moment when he sang that Dooly-Protoss song after losing to Flash in the OSL finals. I seriously thought he lost his mind from losing two back-to-back OSLs to the LeeSsang duo or something.
@kyo yuy, tom phoenix and korasilver: Thanks for the clarifications. I think I may have a soft spot for stork now, hehehe, he's just too weird not to like.
In the middle of all this Jaedong adoration, I'd like to point out now though, that I like Calm's and July's playstyle better. Less reliant on pure overwhelming mechanical mechanics , more reliant on decision making and strategy.
Jaedongjwa gets thrown around here and there, but people in every community are generally sick of the Bonjwa dead-horse anyway. Though if he ever becomes acknowledged as a Bonjwa, that's probably gonna be the name.
No one really needs a nickname, but it's just very surprising that a zillion fangirls/boys have found nothing suitable when everyone else has one.
On October 14 2009 07:46 BanZu wrote: I know that this is a StarCraft forum and all but really?
Who the hell even gives a crap what JD's nickname is or if he has one?
And don't post, "oh he must be a troll". Just take a step back and notice what this is all about.
A NICKNAME?
On October 14 2009 07:42 Waxangel wrote: No one really needs a nickname, but it's just very surprising that a zillion fangirls/boys have found nothing suitable when everyone else has one.
On October 14 2009 03:07 Daemonarch wrote: He doesn't need nickname IMO. He already choose to be uncreative and use his surname as gaming nickname. Enough said.
On October 13 2009 08:59 Crunchums wrote: What is wrong with "The Tyrant", I feel it fits him perfectly.
It doesn't sound cool.
Maybe the problem is with the English translation? Thesaurus gives a few alternatives: dictator, oligarch, overlord (which last seems appropriate, given his race).
You know, Jet Li's character in Hero was Master Nameless. Besides his combat prowess, he had the ability to incapacitate an opponent with a surgical strike. Maybe being nameless isn't so bad!
Jaedong's play isn't known for anything specific besides aggression. If you based a nickname off a certain aspect of his gameplay it won't fit because another aspect of his gameplay is just as prominent. He also isn't very innovative. He plays relatively standard and mainly wins games due to his overall superior skill.
yeah it could, but he's not always aggressive...and sometimes he's the opposite of aggressive...so an aggressive based nickname would be kind of awkward
im just saying why I think he doesn't have a nickname.
On October 14 2009 00:15 p53 wrote: I think NuketheStars referred to him as "The Overmind" in one of his hype videos, which I thought was pretty sweet.
Was also going to mention this. Lee "The Overmind" Jae Dong. Works for me, although personally I like The Tyrant more.
Here's a question. Which successful progamer had the best nickname ever? Tu Shin, God of War, is pretty cool imo.
By the way, I didn't really read all the comments in this blog yet but it should be mentioned, some Korean fangirls call him "제글링" = Jaegling instead of "저글링" = Zergling. Notice how the spelling in Korean is somewhat similar but the first letter has different pronounciation.
Death Stare Bonjwa(or Death Stare Dong) - That stare just makes opponents crap their pants If nothing else, Legend Killer sounds cool, even if it has a strange meaning now that he is a legend.
On October 13 2009 11:36 keV. wrote: I like how people are confusing "Star-Power" with their own opinion of the player.
I hate Bisu. However, I don't deny that he is certainly a 9/10 or 10/10 in star-power. Star power is a player's ability to be a star. Meaning having fans and being loved by fans. Do really think that no one loves Jaedong? That Jaedong is not anyone's favorite player? Can you not see why, even if you don't agree, that he has that potential?
Think about it.
How can you hate Bisu? Hes the sickest toss player ever. I remember watching his courage replays and all he did was macro and roll EVERYONE because it was perfect. He didn't even have to do anything tricky to win. Then he came into the proleagues and revolutionized protoss. That alone shows that he is the best toss ever because he will only get better.
I cant be a fan of Jaedong because I forget that he even plays alot of the time.
I actually think that "Legend Killer" sound really bad ass, although the meaning is kind of strange as some people already pointed out.
What about the OmniZerg?
On August 14 2008 09:56 Plexa wrote: Jaedong has proven over the past year that he's not a defensive zerg like sAviOr, nor an aggressive zerg like July. He is a versatile zerg. He can play any style he thinks works best in a particular situation. That makes him so powerful in series, as players have a really hard time practicing against an unpredictable style.
edit:
Wikipedia: Omnipotence (from Latin: Omni Potens: "all power") is unlimited power.
Hey Waxangel, I know that the past Bonjwa's are usually paired with their last names but in Bisu's case (like you said: "for delusional fans") you pointed out that he is known as Taek-Bonjwa which is the first letter of his first name. If we follow that method, then Jaedong could simply be called '제본좌' Jae-Bonjwa to make it sound natural because the transition from Jae to Bonjwa is smooth(Dong-Bonjwa just isn't right and it sounds fugly). Also, if his name really does go down as one of the great members of the Bonjwa's, I remember the Korean netizens even one of the Korean commentators mentioned it, then the Bonjwa link would be known as Lim-Lee-Choi-Ma-Dong '임-이-최-마-동.' Just my 2 cents.
And at the post above: As awkward as it sounds, OmniZerg doesn't seem that bad but only because of the meaning behind it.
On October 19 2009 07:00 ryuu_ wrote: Death Stare Bonjwa(or Death Stare Dong) - That stare just makes opponents crap their pants If nothing else, Legend Killer sounds cool, even if it has a strange meaning now that he is a legend.
I dont want to look into the eye of the dong, thats for sure.
On October 13 2009 11:36 keV. wrote: I like how people are confusing "Star-Power" with their own opinion of the player.
I hate Bisu. However, I don't deny that he is certainly a 9/10 or 10/10 in star-power. Star power is a player's ability to be a star. Meaning having fans and being loved by fans. Do really think that no one loves Jaedong? That Jaedong is not anyone's favorite player? Can you not see why, even if you don't agree, that he has that potential?
Think about it.
How can you hate Bisu? Hes the sickest toss player ever. I remember watching his courage replays and all he did was macro and roll EVERYONE because it was perfect. He didn't even have to do anything tricky to win. Then he came into the proleagues and revolutionized protoss. That alone shows that he is the best toss ever because he will only get better.
I cant be a fan of Jaedong because I forget that he even plays alot of the time.
?
Jaedong came to the scene just simply as a super mechanical player that was able to rape Terrans and Zergs with just perfect play. I mean, he was standard to all hell with builds and all he had was just exceptional multitasking and micro. He surged his way as one of the strongest players on the scene along with Flash during the LeeSsang era with just pure mechanics. He didn't revolutionize shit when he reached the top and he still raped everyone. By the way you say Bisu was great because he was able to beat players with just solid play, shouldn't you like Jaedong even better because he was able to dominate along with Flash without revolutionizing anything? Jaedong started innovating after he was on the top; doesn't that alone show that he is the best Zerg ever because he will only get better? Your argument make no sense.
EPT
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, more reliant on decision making and strategy.
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