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Update: 18th June
Lazy has been playing a fair bit of LoL lately. I don't know if he's taking this seriously or it's just a past-time.
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Hi,
A little more than a year ago, I started this series of updates about the adventures of the MBCGame HERO team, to document all the fun activities the players (and their Korean fans) were up to outside of official matches. Sadly, in July 2011, MBC Media+, the company that owned MBCGame, decided to dissolve both the channel and team in order to start their own music channel. By the end of July, the players were asked to move out of their practice room and by September, their hostel. Some players who lived in or around Seoul went back home in July. Others whose hometowns were too far from Seoul went to live with friends for awhile during the off-season period. Jaehoon stayed at a friend's house. Others like Lazy, Zerg[kal] and at one point, even Tyson, stayed behind at the hostel for a few weeks in August. Those who stayed behind had no PCs to practice on, so they went to nearby PC bangs to practice. It was an extremely agonizing and uncertain period for the players, who received little to no news about the future of their progaming careers. They received their last paycheck from MBC in July 2011.
The team may be officially disbanded now, but MBC fans have not given up rooting for their players. The HERO Gallery on dcinside is still in operation and MBC fans there use the gallery on a daily basis to talk about their favourite players. The cheers "HERO fighting!" and "HERO I love you!" are still being used by Korean fans who post in that forum...
In this 12th installment, I'll update you on what the former HERO players have been up to in the last 2 months...
Where Are The Former HERO Rookies Now?
The Rookies Meet Up
Around 18th March, the MBC rookies from the 2010-2011 season had a meet-up. In attendance were Check, Sang, Lazy, Wow and Gwak. Above are two pictures from that meet-up. It's very nice to know that they're still in contact with one another. 
Check
After check joined Team 8 in late February, he didn't appear on TV until the OSL Prelims in April. Although the circumstances were far from ideal, it was very nice seeing him again, since the last time I saw him on TV was some 9 months before that. 
Wow
The last I heard, Yonghyuk is currently living at home in Cheonan. In the months after the team disbanded, he lost some weight, spent time learning to drive/getting his driver's license, while also still practicing in the hope that he might one day be able to join a team again. I don't know if that's still the case but he hasn't enlisted in the military yet. There used to be stories from Korean fans about how bright and talkative he was during fan meetings. I miss wOw. I hope he is doing well.
Lazy
Lazy joined STX as an online practice partner in late 2011 and was dropped by STX along with 5 other rookies in early 2012. After that, he began practicing with Team 8 for awhile but with a future in progaming becoming increasingly uncertain, he decided to quit in March. In a message to his fans on his cyworld, he mentioned that being a teamless player was simply too difficult and frustrating. Although he felt it was a huge pity, he thought he needed to move on.
Tiny
I'm not sure if Tiny has been working or studying since the team disbanded. But in April his friends posted a picture of him at their gathering. Tiny is on the right in this picture.
Tiny seems to have put on some weight and looks healthy. If you remember, Tiny suffered from a slipped disc in his neck in 2009 and had to spend 1 year away from progaming. And regularly in 2010 and 2011, he continued to suffer from pains and aches, which sometimes forced him to withdraw from OSL/MSL preliminaries.
Zerg[kal]
During his trainee days, ZerG[kaL] was transferred from one team to another before being picked by Woongjin Stars in the 2007 draft. But for personal reasons he declined to join their team. However in 2009, Coach Park drafted Zerg[kal] into SKT. In August 2010, Zerg[kal] transferred to MBC, after SKT decided to release most of their rookies during the off-season. In the winter of 2010, Zerg[kal]'s father tragically passed away after being involved in a car accident on an icy road.
In late September 2011, Zerg[kal] decided that it was time for him to move on and he handed in his application for enlistment into the military. In September, he also posted this picture of himself onto his cyworld. At that time, he was staying at home.
Since then, there had been no news about him other than word that he had entered the military in November.
However finally, a few weeks ago, Zerg[ka] received his first extended holiday and he uploaded this picture of himself. This is good news because he had to undergo the first few months of military training during a rather harsh winter.
Saint
I have very little news about Saint, other than that he's still in contact with some of his former teammates. Sea once mentioned at a fan-meeting that Saint will enlist in the military in September. I wish Saint would update his facebook more often. 
Coaches: Mumyung and Pusan
Pusan is still streaming on Afreeca. MuMyung is now managing a karaoke/club of some sorts in Gangnam:
Shark’s Prague Vacation
Before his enlistment in April, Shark went on a back pack trip to Prague on 22nd March.
A couple weeks ago, Shark's mum tweeted this from Shark's account:
"This is Kyungjong's mum^^To help Shark to do well in military life, please write him letters of support ㅋ ㅋ I wish everyone good health and happiness^^"
Shark's mum was referring to a daum cafe where friends and families of recruits staying at the camp that Shark is currently in, can write letters at the cafe which will be read by the recruits.
Here are some pictures from Shark's Prague vacation:
Sea’s Birthday
Sea's birthday was on 29th March and so a few days before that, his fans held a small birthday party for him. These pictures are from his fancafe:
Team 8 also gave him a cake for his birthday:
Progamer Education Seminar and Off-season Football
During the off-season, the players attended a mandatory progamer seminar and also played lots of football.
These are some of the pictures from the seminar. Sea and Tyson look cute, kind of like they're wearing couple-tees. lol
There were no pictures from the football matches but here's an old picture from late summer 2011. I believe this is one of the last times MBC played a football match against Oz. 
Media Day with Coach Han
A sad-faced Jaehoon. Makes me sad too.
Light’s new haircut, a return to 2005?
During the off-season, Light decided to cut his hair really short in preparation for the new season. He did this in part because of the poor previous season he had. This reminds me of Light's haircut in 2005, when he was still an MBC trainee.
An old picture of Light, with Jaehoon (wearing a cap) and dOkSa next to him. August 2005, Kespa Cup:
The HERO Center, Then and Now
In March, a couple HERO fans visited the HERO Center to have a look at what's become of their beloved team's practice room as well as the MBC studio. Actually, this is the 3rd or 4th time that fans have done this since the team disbanded. They're that passionate about the HERO team.
Early 2011, MBCGame HERO practice room:
March 2012, after the transition to a music channel:
Supposedly, they're using the former HERO practice room to store equipment. ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/5HHKN.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/wSYaA.jpg)
The former MBCGame studio, now empty: ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/0YFIx.jpg)
Graffiti by MBC fans: ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mRkU0.jpg)
Download Links for some HERO Variety Shows
Last but not least, the TV shows.
The wonderful people at HERO gallery posted download links (thank you!) to some variety shows and documentaries starring former HERO players. The majority of these can be found in the MBC torrent but I thought you might be interested in these if you just want to download only a few shows or haven't downloaded the torrent yet.
These downloads will expire in about 2 weeks time. So if you're keen, please download them asap.
Sungchun Show: Sea and Ruby. Late 2011.
The Sungchun Show was a variety show hosted by IntoTheRain and Jung Inho. There's a talk show segment, a lie-detector segment and an avatar game segment where one person gives all the instructions to the other person playing against an audience member on Bnet.
DOWNLOAD
Sungchun Show: Ruby. Late 2011.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/cUnEm.jpg)
DOWNLOAD
Sungchun Show: Jaehoon and Tyson. Spring 2011.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/cTwT3.jpg)
DOWNLOAD
Sungchun Show: Shark and Saint. 2011.
DOWNLOAD
Sungchun Show: Sea and Saint. 2011
DOWNLOAD
Sungchun Show: Shark and MBC commentator.
DOWNLOAD
Sungchun Show: Sea and Hyun. 2010.
DOWNLOAD
Sungchun Show: Coach Ha Tae Ki and Shark. 2010.
DOWNLOAD
I love esports: Coach Ha and Sea. 2006.
Esports news show. Quality of the VOD is not good.
DOWNLOAD
G-ppl: Sea. Early 2006.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/BfeM3.png)
An old OGN documentary on Sea, during the days when MBC was known as Pirates of Space.
DOWNLOAD
HERO Excursion. 2009.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/xxfBw.jpg)
MBC workshop/vacation 2009.
DOWNLOAD
Supper Drop. 2009.
MBCGame commentators and TV Hosts drop by the HERO hostel to visit. Quality of the VOD is better than the one in the torrent.
Part 1: DOWNLOAD
Part 2: DOWNLOAD
Star Quiz: Light. 2007.
Light takes part in "Star Quiz". He doesn't say very much though.
Part 1: DOWNLOAD
Part 2: DOWNLOAD
MUST HAVE HERO. 2007.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/jCH1T.jpg)
The cameras follow the HERO team around as they prepare for their big match against CJ Entus in the 2006-2007 Proleague Round 2 Final. Quality of the VOD is better than the one in the torrent.
DOWNLOAD
Phuket Vacation. 2007.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/jgrOt.png)
As a reward for winning the 2006-2007 Proleague Grand Final, the HERO team traveled to Phuket, Thailand for a vacation/workshop. Players who were on the team back then- Sea, Jaehoon, Bisu, Saint, Shark, July, Pusan, Light, Hyun, TheZerg, 910 etc. Quality of the VOD is better than the one in the torrent. Was not uploaded properly though so the last minute or so of part 2 was cut off.
Part 1: DOWNLOAD
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/MESDF.jpg)
Part 2: DOWNLOAD
HERO goes to manner school. 2008.
DOWNLOAD
The Hero. 2006.
An MBCGame TV crew documents the daily activities of the HERO team during the early days after the founding of the team in 2006. Quality of the VOD is better than the one in the torrent. Last episode, episode 10 is missing.
Ep.1: DOWNLOAD
Ep.2: DOWNLOAD
Ep.3: DOWNLOAD
Ep.4: DOWNLOAD
Ep.5: DOWNLOAD
Ep.6: DOWNLOAD
Ep.7: DOWNLOAD
Ep.8: DOWNLOAD
Ep.9: DOWNLOAD
That's all for this update, have a good day.
   
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Really awesome Ryo, thanks a lot <3
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Netherlands45349 Posts
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United States11391 Posts
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Reading through this is sad...so many people were affected by MBC
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thanks
On May 25 2012 09:10 hyptonic wrote: Reading through this is sad...so many people were affected by MBC
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is awesome32277 Posts
This is great post, but sad at the same time.
5/5
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United States210 Posts
Always loved reading your blogs Ryo, thanks for the update ^_^.
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Hong Kong9157 Posts
5/5 thanks for the update
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Thanks for the update.
When I make a billion bucks, I'll set aside around 100 million into a BW progaming fund.
And buy MBC the music channel. Then fire off all the music people rehiring all the former BW associates bring back MBC game.
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My favorite team back in days when I just started following starcraft.
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I don't know why, but the part about the mbc practice area being used as storage really stuck out to me. I thought that it was so cool looking, with the glass door and all, when they first showed it on the ss501 show. so sad
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Great depressing post.
I like how diverse the followups were tho :|
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I wish they could have made better use of the practice room. Lost all its former glory.
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Thank you for doing this... So sad
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Ryo is a badass. Really too bad to see some of those rookies not able to get a shot.
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Thanks for the update ryo always a mbc fan till the day you die !
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That Sea Football picture. Must do contrast vs July!
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Canada5155 Posts
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/xxfBw.jpg)
This had so much potential to be the next July pic of this sort
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Anyone else feeling incredibly depressed right now? 
(5/5 thanks Ryo)
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i hate you. this made me teary eyed. MBC <3
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Thank you for this Ryo! I miss MBC
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Ryo <3 Thanks for the update, makes me really miss what we had So many people affected by the closure TT Someone make a time machine so we all can go back to ~2005
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I miss MBC even more now.
Thanks for the update Ryo.
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Australia1064 Posts
It's sad that Lazy had to give it up. Seemed like he must have been working so hard to try and maintain a level of play that would get him picked up by a pro team, with only West and Fish for practice.
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On May 25 2012 11:53 kjwcj wrote: It's sad that Lazy had to give it up. Seemed like he must have been working so hard to try and maintain a level of play that would get him picked up by a pro team, with only West and Fish for practice. Yes, I feel really sorry for him.
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![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mRkU0.jpg)
wow my eyes are actually watering a bit ;;. Those fans know what's up!
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Thanks for posting this Ryo! It's really heart-warming to see that there's still dedicated HERO fans out there in spite of everything.
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This is one of the saddest blogs ever.
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Nice post, but it made me a bit sad. The worst was that empty studio  Thank you Ryo as usual.
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Katowice25012 Posts
This is unbelievably awesome, quite the tear jerker. A lot of bittersweet memories.
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Hong Kong20321 Posts
sea and jaehoon are both so sad now T___T
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this whole post reminds me of Hyungjoon joins a pro-gaming team show. lots of good times at the MBC house 
sad to see the end...
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Ryo, I remember not knowing which team to support when I joined TL and it was your effort as the #1 fan that led me to MBC. Despite the sad end to the team, thank you for leading us on a journey through all the wonderful times of MBC
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On May 25 2012 16:38 metzninja wrote:Ryo, I remember not knowing which team to support when I joined TL and it was your effort as the #1 fan that led me to MBC. Despite the sad end to the team, thank you for leading us on a journey through all the wonderful times of MBC  Thank you
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it is so sad that mbc game hero is no more...
I remember when I entered the holy hall at LOOX....so this western alien guy was standing there in their main practice room and everyone was so dedicated into the game that no one was even recognizing me lol :D
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Sad 
The image of that door was carved into my brain for some reason after I watched "Hyungjoon Becomes a Progamer"
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Great post, but a bit sad as stated ... Thank you!
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Man, I miss Hyun, and the MSL. The Hyung Joon Becomes a progamer show was what made me a fan, so it was so sad when MBC disbanded. I joined the scene so late, but I'm happy that I atleast got to experience 2010 and 2011. 2010 was a really good year. Probably the year with the highest overall quality of play.
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I'm so sad to see they disband. My favorite team of all times.
I'll miss the old days.
So happy to see Shark in action. After that series that he made " XXX wants to be a progamer" i still miss those laughs a lot.
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So bitter sweet. Poor Sea, even though he was one of the lucky ones.
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Instant 5/5
Thanks for the update. The rookies all look happy still which is good. After kicking them out the studio isn't even being used -_-
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Thanks for the update ryo! Please keep them coming I really enjoy hearing about how everyone is doing even if it is a bit depressing
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The fate of players that don't get much camera time has always interested me. Some interviews seem a bit much to ask, but this is plenty. This should be done for all the teams. Well done Ryo!!! Thanks for taking the time
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It's great to have news about them, but it is really sad, especially the fate of most of the B-teamers. All the hours of practice they put in, and for nothing/loads of uncertainty... well maybe this also applies for those who are now in T8, since the environment doesn't seem to be good there at all and they have the hybrid PL/SC2 transition uncertainty to deal with. It hurts to think that the busy practice room in HJ Becomes a Progamer is now a dark storage room 
On a happier note, Shark's Prague pictures look awesome. I've always wanted to go there!
Can't believe that I forgot to thank Ryo. Thanks Ryo!!! Will be DLing the shows over the weekend
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Great update, thank you Ryo! After watching HJ becomes a progamer and following MBCGame Hero this was the first bw team i go to love and my season ever 2010-2011. Memorable times tho i know i joined the last year of the team.
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God. The way that careers can just disappear in the progaming industry is incredible to me.
So sad.
5/5
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Thank you so much Ryo for the updates. I'm really appreciate it.
From the rookies until Pusan and MuMyung and also Shark.
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Aw nice to see what they're all doing.
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Thank you for the update, Your work were one of the reasons why I chose to follow MBCGameHero and in the end become one fan of them. I just hope that Sea gets out of his slump. In the past, workshops and just the teamwork/support would get him out of it. Now that he is on team8, I still hopet hey can provide him with the same positive atmosphere, he really needs. T_T
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Awesome blogs! Really nice job.
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ryo deserves a star already thank you so much for everyting you have done for the community 
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United States1719 Posts
;_;
On May 25 2012 08:44 Ryo wrote:Graffiti by MBC fans: ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mRkU0.jpg) That's all for this update, have a good day. notice the big 'MBC Music FUCK YOU (凸) lol' in the middle lol
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United States7639 Posts
T_T ugh, the door photo breaks my heart. I can't believe I didn't go there more often when I had the chance.
Prague looks beautiful though. Glad Shark looks like he enjoyed himself :>
Thanks for putting this together Ryo, you're amazing <3
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Oh man, you got my hopes up for a brief, shining second that they got back together. Great writeup though, good to know they're doing well. I had to chuckle at what Lazy said about gaming and shout out given his name.
Also, happy birthday to Sea!!! I still owe you for saving my fantasy team all those years ago!
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2007-2010 was the best years of BW, i will miss MBCGame with all my heart.....
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Any anti-fan of MBC would have his heart melt at this thread. Mostly mellow memories of the team. Such good team atmosphere : (
I used to complain of how boring Sea's play is, every single MBC game;; I'm sorry
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i was happy to see most of them doing well, but also made me sad to think what happened to the team.
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![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/xxfBw.jpg) Look at Hyun's calves. He should become a bodybuilder rather than a pro gamer.
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On May 26 2012 15:47 Mentor wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Look at Hyun's calves. He should become a bodybuilder rather than a pro gamer. Hyun used to be a track and field athlete during his elementary school days, before he discovered gaming. He's good at many sports... except maybe badminton.
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wow, thanks so much for this
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Alas. All that is beautiful and wonderful shall wither and die. Replaced by things of less beauty and wonder. Yet some solice may be found in the thought that other similarly rare things shall bloom from nothingness and embody the beauty. Until it is once again plucked from us.
We shall take care to remember the treasure that has been bestowed upon us. For this kind of beauty is rare and dwindling and maybe even made more beautiful still because of it. I will treasure the memories of beauty and forget the despair of the uprooting. For I know that even were I to find beauty again, it shall not be this beauty.
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Man, this was so depressing to read, but thanks for the write up.
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This blog is a gem. Ryo, you're a true MBC fan!
On May 26 2012 10:36 chongu wrote: I used to complain of how boring Sea's play is, every single MBC game;; I'm sorry This rofl XD But it was only because he beat the crap out of all the players I liked.
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Bisutopia19284 Posts
Thanks Ryo. This make my heart sad. MBC Game was the founding and original family for Bisu. I will always love them.
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Thank you so much for this post. It is always nice to know what players are now doing when they're no longer a part of a team, quit playing, etc. It was saddening to read, but that is a risk that you'll have to take when you want to be a pro.
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wait MuMyung runs a Karaoke bar in Gangnam? Dang I am dragging myself over there at some point soon, ought to support his new buisness for the work he put into HERO 
Edit: hm... maybe... just maybe, with some help, I should try and see how many of the old Hero players I can get in contact with.
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Thats was really cool. Man are MBC Hero fans passionate.
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I wish I got one of those mbc hoodies/jackets? too late now! :/
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Thanks for the post! I really enjoyed it, and am a little sad.
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Really interesting, great for BW's memory.
Thank you !
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United States10213 Posts
So sad. MBC Game... Until 2050... We will meet again.
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6 stars.. thats all i have to say
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Just a reminder, there are about four days left to download the VODs.
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So many vods to download T_T but I don't have enough bandwith thanks for everything ryo.
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