Since Fomos dropped this off of the front page within less than five hours of it being posted and it contains information about foreign players in Korea and some other cute stuff I decided to repost it here in the hope of people actually seeing it.
Manager Kim will be reading this thread so if you have any questions, suggestions or comments for him then please leave them here!
eSTRO Behind Story and Interview:
Being back stage with eSTRO often reminds me of how pro-gaming teams function in very different ways. Some are seen by the foreign fans as serious, stoic and efficient producers of victories. However, others carry the title of 'family' teams, such as Samsung Khan; a team that rarely loses a team mate to anything other than retirement and whose leader, Coach Kim is viewed in equal amounts as a mother and coach to her players.
If you were to assign a type of atmosphere to the eSTRO team it would have to be one of warmth, friendship and youth. Back stage the players are welcoming and there is a sense that even new-comers (such as former KT Rolster player Haran aka Jeong Myungho.) are accepted into the fold of the team with open arms.
The night Haran transferred teams the entire eSTRO roster gathered in the large lounge of their Yeoksam home. Head coach Kim Hyunjin asked a shy and tentative Haran to sing a song as their newest member and amidst stifled laughter and his own nerves the young player delivered a few mumbled lines. This ice-breaker was followed by an introduction to his new room and then life continued as normal for a team that cannot contain its sense of 'family.'
Recently eSTRO has gained a new manager in the shape of Kim Sung Hwan. As the former manager and coach of eSTRO's highly successful CounterStrike team (who have since moved on to We Made Fox.) Mr. Kim is now responsible for leading both the StarCraft and Special Force elements of the team. Despite his busy schedule Fomos caught up with Manager Kim for a quick interview.
~ Kim Sung Hwan in the center with the former eSTRO CS Team. ~
~ How did it feel to change over from being the eSTRO CounterStrike manager to managing the StarCraft and Special Force teams? Were there any problems or did you find the change easy to cope with?
▲ First I was also managing the StarCraft team when there was a CS team at eSTRO. At first I felt very weird and depressed since CS was my specialist FPS game and also I felt bad about sending my boys to another team (We Made Fox.)
There were many problems in the beginning. The eSTRO SF team wasn't doing very well at the start of the Special Force Proleague. It was hard for me to understand Special Force, as well as the new players. The players themselves seemed a bit intimidated by me and our head coach Kim Hyunjin.
I did exactly the same things to them as I did with my CS team, but these ideas didn't quite work out. So I had to change their schedule and some of their practice methods.
~ What do you feel are eSTRO's best qualities as a team?
▲ Firstly, our players love to socialize together. They like going shopping and eating food in groups. Aside from playing SC they always go to the local marts and come back with big bags full of their favorite foods (usually junk food!) Then they gather together to eat. That's their hobby. It's kind of weird, but if you see their faces you will love the kind of atmosphere this type of event produces. They smile like they've just won the lottery when they have some (junk) food! Our team shares a lot and we also talk a lot between ourselves. We like to hang about together during our relaxation time. Sometimes three players will stay up all night talking and I am the one who has to carry them back to their own beds!
~ Which players should foreign fans watch out for in the next season of Proleague?
▲ Well, it would be best if they could watch all of our players from our perspective. However, if they have to pick one for massive macro battles I would say Seiya (formerly Sea.Really) would be a good choice. If they like watching micro intensive and fun games then they should check out UpMagic's matches. Finally for a young player who has good gaming sense and demonstrates an intelligent style of playing I recommend our Zerg, Hyvaa.
~ What does the future hold for eSTRO and how do you think the arrival of StarCraft 2 will affect Korean eSports?
▲ Our team has been doing better and better every year. Next season I can promise that we will go up into the top 8 teams or even to 6th. SC2 will also be huge in Korea so I am excited to see how it changes the way Koreans (and especially pro-gamers.) approach their matches. Plus I am already looking at other foreign players, so eSTRO will once again have another foreign player just like when we invited Nony and Idra to stay with us. If Nony wants to come back for SC2, our arms are always open wide. My players and coaching staff loved him as did I. We enjoy the company of our foreign gaming companions.
The optimistic sentiments of eSTRO and their loyal fans both at home in Korea and abroad demonstrate their continued determination to do their best at every event. In October when Proleague and the individual tournaments begin we will once again be treated to their own unique brand of easily accessible matches and warm personalities.
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Thank you to Hwanni, the eSTRO coaching staff and all the players for their continued support of myself and other foreign players/commentators working in Korea.
On September 24 2009 10:30 NeverGG wrote: Manager Kim will be reading this thread so if you have any questions, suggestions or comments for him then please leave them here!
1) Have you got any plans on opening up a webshop for us foreingers to buy gear such as hoodies and shirts? I bought a MBC Game Hero hoodie and I love it, wouldn't mind adding other gear to the collection.
2) There has been some discussion to what the coaches actually do in a StarCraft team. People have said that since most coaches have no background in the game, they might now be able to lead a StarCraft team. So my question is: what do the coaches do? Do they "just" set up a practise schedule and chose which players should play, or do they understand the game to such a level that they help players with flaws in their game such as build order problems and mechanic problems?
eSTRO merch available to the foreign scene would be awesome. Only problem I would have is that people who don't know what eSTRO is would assume it has something to do with estrogen . Damn languages .
And finally, bring ret to Korea! Nobody else is more deserving.
1) First of all, it is hard for me to go around the team and gather the gear and sell it. I really don't have time for shopping malll T_T (sorry) you just have to find a way to get those by yourself.
2) I do not really know for other teams, but I asure you our Head Coach kOs always talk to players for their build orders and everything. You could say Upmagic and tester's build orders are made with kOs most of the time. For Coachs Xian[3.33] takes care of a whole team. He is a mother for the team. Team schedules as well as practice schedules and also help players for getting practice partners. Coachs know each other very well. So for instance if Upmagic wants good practice vs Protoss. Our Coach (Xian) searchs all the star players from other teams and gives the list to our players to choose and practice. For our new coach (Max), He is still brilliant in SC, he still wins over pro-gamers. He is very well skilled coach. I am sure by taking Max as a Coach our zerg players will defenately improve as well as TvZ and PvZ for other race too.
On September 24 2009 11:42 tirentu wrote: eSTRO merch available to the foreign scene would be awesome. Only problem I would have is that people who don't know what eSTRO is would assume it has something to do with estrogen
if anyone asks, you can tell them about ultralisk caverns.
1. Have you looked at any particular foreign players that you want for you team?
2. How are you (or the proteams in general) looking the release of SC2? a) Do you intend to keep practicing for BW as you did earlier? b) Do some of the players just switch directly to SC2? Or are you gonna recruit new players for SC2? c) Is there any progamers who have already talked about switching to sc2 when it comes out? If so, who and why? 3. Do you think sc2 will takeover BW?
I'm UpMagiC's biggest fan here, probably the biggest outside of Korea. Can you tell him for me to get his hair cut like during Shinhan 3? He looked killa during Shinhan 3.
Oh and tell him to prepare hard for BO5 when it comes. He's not so good with long series and I want him to win a Starleague.
I love eSTRO! One of my fav teams and has some players that really grow on you. I can't wait to see GosI[Flying] play next proleague season, his PvZ is phenomenal and reminds me of Bisu. Sangho's style is also pretty samilar, but Flying got me when he performed that all kill out of NOWHERE in the STX cup.
I really hope Ret joins eSTRO, that would be awesome!
Can you tell us what a team captain does above his normal playing duties? No one here has been able to figure out why a team would change team captain or what the title entails.
I have to say it's amazing that Hwanni did this interview and is actually participating in this thread! Awesome stuff! My question is: What do you think is the reason for the constant ebb and flow of progamers success in proleague and the starleagues? For instance: hyvaa's performance in the Winner's League was stellar, but he fell into a bit of a slump when the regular proleague was brought back. Is it changes in practice routines, not practicing as much, or is it just the steep competition? What role do the coaches play in breaking these players out of their slumps?
I love you Hwanni. It really is awesome how eSTRO is looking at picking up yet another foreigner. I wonder who it will be. I just can't wait for the future! Go eSTRO for the next season!
If you are going to pick up a foreigner, could you take two instead? If there were two, they could help each other with the social aspects of being in a foreign country and culture. I'm sure having someone to talk to would make them happier and thus improve their play and practice habits.
On a related matter: how many of your players speak English, and how good? Also, how would the younger players interact with an older foreigner like ret?
Its very nice from you Hwanni to interact with foreign community and even take foreign players to Korea. I appreciate it very much, thanks.
P.S. I eSTRO ever makes merchandise shop for foreign fans it will be huge profit, I tell you. Especially with a foreign player in your team [hopes for ret[
I agree about the merchandise, I would buy ASAP. Also thanks a lot for the open attitude towards the foreigner scene. Not only with the players that you invite to play with you, but also that you let guys like Artosis do behind the scenes stuff.
On September 24 2009 11:49 Hwanni wrote: - Julmust
Thanks for asking.
1) First of all, it is hard for me to go around the team and gather the gear and sell it. I really don't have time for shopping malll T_T (sorry) you just have to find a way to get those by yourself.
2) I do not really know for other teams, but I asure you our Head Coach kOs always talk to players for their build orders and everything. You could say Upmagic and tester's build orders are made with kOs most of the time. For Coachs Xian[3.33] takes care of a whole team. He is a mother for the team. Team schedules as well as practice schedules and also help players for getting practice partners. Coachs know each other very well. So for instance if Upmagic wants good practice vs Protoss. Our Coach (Xian) searchs all the star players from other teams and gives the list to our players to choose and practice. For our new coach (Max), He is still brilliant in SC, he still wins over pro-gamers. He is very well skilled coach. I am sure by taking Max as a Coach our zerg players will defenately improve as well as TvZ and PvZ for other race too.
Thank you
Awesome to have you here. Is the Max you speak of Qoo)Max? The 2v2 player? That guy was awesome, such a big cuddly bear.
- Team Captain means a lot to me and my team. (Tester) He is a quiet guy, but always practices more then anybody. There are some gap between players and Coaching Staffs. and also with me and players. But Tester always fills those gaps for us. He talks to players often and tells us what player needs exactly. e-STRO Captain is really important guy for me and for team. Support him for us
- Thanks for suggesting, Your idea is great but can't. It is more important that foreign player actually communicate with Korean player. If there were 2 players they wouldn't try talking to other eSTRO members. Plus Don't worry ^^ like Nony, I, Artosis, and Taseteless We will defenately take a good care Hahahah.
- I would say no one speaks English, but they can communicate with games. plus I will be there to translate most of the time.
I am really impressed with quality of Hwanni's answers - this is really helpful and the foreign community appreciates you taking some time to talk to us very much!
I'm so impressed and chocked that Hwanni is actually real and is answering questions here. So nice to see!
Question : What makes a manager as your self interested in foreign starcraft players. Is it the style or what exactly is so different if there is one? And what can a foreign player provide to the team with limited communication and socialization between players?
This thread has singlehandedly made me a fan of ESTRO.
Not over KHAN, of course, but I'll definitely have to start paying more attention to ESTRO and its players. Thanks a lot for taking the time to chat with the foreign community, Hanni.
What makes a manager as your self interested in foreign starcraft players. Is it the style or what exactly is so different if there is one?
- First, it is not only me that is interested in foreign community as well as players. There are many people who think that way too. I think it's just language barrier that makes difficult. I already know that everyone has passion for BW. And I just think it's fair to give choice for foreigners as well.
And what can a foreign player provide to the team with limited communication and socialization between players?
- I really do think commuication doesn't really matter. it's just matter of time. If you look around You'll see many worldwide players in MLB as well as in EPL and etc... I just think e-Sports is another kinda sport that we have to creat and improve by co-working through out the world. But foreigners do provide some different aspects of the game.
Hwanni: thanks a lot for staying around answearing these questions. This brings the korean progaming scene a little closer to us. I believe no foreign community ever had the chance to talk (or type) directly with a head coach, so thanks for that!
- Thanks for answering my question. I'm very pleased with the response and I'm truly impressed and still chocked that a manager of your statue is actually hanging around here
Hi Hwanni! Love your responses so far! :D 1. Do you have a goal as to when a new foreign recruit will hit the eStro shelves? Like, a month, 2 or w/e. 2. How different is managing the CS team from the SC one?
I was thinking about making a Hwanni appreciation thread but I don't need to now. So honoured to have hwanni posting here and big thanks for all the stuff you do for us with SCforAll and all you do for your team as well.
Man its so amazing and thrilling to be talking to and getting replies from eSTRO manager himself! Hwanni, if you're looking at foreigners, please pick up ret. He has the skill, drive, and sheer talent to get even better then he is at BW with a good practice environment, and even without such a practice environment he is already at a higher skill level then any other foreigner.
1. Do you have a goal as to when a new foreign recruit will hit the eStro shelves? Like, a month, 2 or w/e.
- Well.. that I can't really say. But just to give ya little tip. I will be at the IEF tournament and I am planning to meet some players. So... hmm maybe in about 1month or 2? that's all I can say for right now. (I just want to make right choice, just like I did with Nony before.)
2. How different is managing the CS team from the SC one?
- Very different. Honestly I can not help any tactical things for playing. This is just my opinion, SC is single played game and it is very much depends on players metal condition. So Coachs supports all the game issues and I usually work on some mental training and give them full support so they can concentrate. CS is very much team game it deals with people since 5 players are in a game. For CS and Special Force. I pay more attention to their team works and team plays. It is really importatn for 5 players to trust each other fully.
Oh my god this is so awesome. Thanks for the effort and patience with us foreigners Hwanni. I'm impressed by your English as well. Pretty damn good.
I'd like to ask a question too - however I'm not too sure if you can answer it actually. So - what do you do - if a player has very bad self esteem even tho he's pretty good and yea... basically - how do you try to change someone from a losers mentality to a winning mentality? What's important, what do you tell them?
(I'm curious cause I'm that kind of person, I can play really really good in practice yet I often get really really nervous and start to suck as well in important matches..)
invite ret to eSTRO and watch out for Koll. Koll is very young but seems to be very professional. i am 100% sure he will be the best foreigner, it's just a question about time.
Thanks for all the work youve done Hwanni, looking at your posts and ideals it seems esports needs more people like you to move it forward, thanks for the great work, and Estro Fighting!
I guess I have a question after all: How often do those intra-team tournements take place? Do you guys announce publicly the results? Any very surprising results recently?
MuchZerg that's pretty easy to answer even for an non estro coach. Best performing Z/P/T of estro = Hyvaa, SangHo, Up&Really Most promising of estro = Action, Flying IMO.
Maybe Hwanni will say something slightly different but I'd say that's pretty accurate...^^
#Hwanni, What's the team most likely to win the PL? And how do you think that Kespa is handling the players rights? (sorry if you cant talk about this, I just had to ask)
Hwanni answering questiong in tl is HUGE, big thanks!!!!
also i'd like to ask you, what do you think of firebatheros ceremonys and would you be ashamed if upmagic did some pelvic thrust after winning a game? or maybe the team would be proud and have some fun
However I'm not too sure if you can answer it actually. So - what do you do - if a player has very bad self esteem even tho he's pretty good and yea... basically - how do you try to change someone from a losers mentality to a winning mentality? What's important, what do you tell them?
Hi iFfeRnaL sorry for the late reply. It was weekend and I was out enjoying my time with friends so heheh. Well.. usually in our case when players go through some personal problems I usually give them time to think about. Players who has losers mentality hmm honestly we let them go. (let them quit the game life). We are talking about Professional team here and players should have professional mentality. We can't just change their mentality when it breaks apart. So far we don't have any players who do not think it's impossible for them to try out in Pro-League. And pretty much it is truth and fact that players who has bad self-esteem falls apart.
I know that you might think it's kinda cruel. But that is what professional life is all about.
invite ret to eSTRO and watch out for Koll. Koll is very young but seems to be very professional. i am 100% sure he will be the best foreigner, it's just a question about time.
Yeah :D we are working on it. please be little more patient we will let you know when our company have finaly decision. Thank you
Hwanni, could you share any awkward stories about Nony? :D
- Hmm.. Well most of Nony Videos are up in SCforall.com stories hmm I would say he hates losing!! hahah whenever he loses I could see him having tears gathered in his eyes. (It really shows his passion for game)
On September 28 2009 11:43 Hwanni wrote: # Empyrean
Hwanni, could you share any awkward stories about Nony? :D
- Hmm.. Well most of Nony Videos are up in SCforall.com stories hmm I would say he hates losing!! hahah whenever he loses I could see him having tears gathered in his eyes. (It really shows his passion for game)
- Well, hmm this I want you to search for it. you can probably get those info by just going through websites. I don't want to tell who is best and not.
2. Which player you see great promise to become superstar player (rookies?)?
- Well I would say, for rookies PuMa and [Gosu]Flying for e-STRO.
I would like to have contact with the manager of estro.. To speak with him.
- My MSN is shlana78@hotamil.com. You can reach me here. But if you want to contact me just because of picking up foreginers you are taking wrong step here. I already have the lists and I am sorry I will handle it from here.
Hwanni answering questiong in tl is HUGE, big thanks!!!! - HEHEHEHEH ^^
also i'd like to ask you, what do you think of firebatheros ceremonys and would you be ashamed if upmagic did some pelvic thrust after winning a game? or maybe the team would be proud and have some fun
- Well I think ceremonys are good. But my boys never do any ceremony, I kept on telling them to do it. But they really do not like it. But during next season if we reach upper rank I will make sure my guys to do it. ^^ :D I have good ideas.
wow!!!! how awesome, hi hwanni, my name is efrain, i have a couple of curious questions for you :D hope you dont mind!
- do any of the eSTRO players have physical training? i am a strong believer that physical exercise can help you deal with stress and relax, perhaps a short work-out routine would help the team!
- could you tell us any inside stories of the eSTRO players and their friendships? i recently read an intervew of Upmagic+Leta, but what about intra-team friendships? and any fun-facts about them? for example, who is the most disorganized, or who is the joker in the house, stuff like that. hahaha. thank you!
- is there anything i can do to help the eSTRO team? T^T i love the team haha. NeverGG made a topic to send eSTRO 100 messages, i already sent like 4. but how else can i show my support? i'll do anything :D
ps: Upmagic should do a magic trick as a ceremony!
Hello Hwanni. I don't have any questions as the ones I had in my mind were already asked, but I would like to say thanks for taking the time to answer them, it brings e-Sports one step closer to the foreigner community. ^__^
Out of sheer curiosity, what exactly are you looking for in the top foreign players? What is the decision making process or criteria to help you decide on a player, for example, ret vs. nony?
Also, what was the reason behind Idra leaving and switching to CJ?
It is very nice of you do have this interaction with the foreign community. Cheers!
On September 28 2009 11:46 Hwanni wrote: # Too_MuchZerg
Who are eSTRO team:
1. Currently best perfoming Zerg/Protoss/Terran?
- Well, hmm this I want you to search for it. you can probably get those info by just going through websites. I don't want to tell who is best and not.
2. Which player you see great promise to become superstar player (rookies?)?
- Well I would say, for rookies PuMa and [Gosu]Flying for e-STRO.
Very nice interview :D, I watch Special Force and eStro Starcraft teams. I think they are doing very well, I hope to see them play in more progaming games. Thank you for posting this on Teamliquid o_o
EPT
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. Damn languages 
